RGB on Ark: Instant Asset Transfers without Lightning Complexity
The rgb-ark-node project enables instant and free RGB asset transfers on Ark, a UTXO-based L2, simplifying the process compared to using Lightning Network.
Thread: RGB on Ark - A Different Path to Instant Asset Transfers 🧵 1/8 Everyone's talking about RGB on Lightning. But there's another way: RGB on Ark. We've been quietly building rgb-ark-node - and it's live on mainnet today. Here's why Ark might be a better fit for RGB assets.…
2/8 The Problem with RGB + Lightning Lightning requires: Channel management Liquidity routing Complex HTLC state synchronization with RGB It's powerful, but adds significant complexity to an already complex protocol.
3/8 Why Ark? Ark is a UTXO-based L2. No channels, no routing. Users hold VTXOs (Virtual UTXOs) Transfers are instant & FREE between Ark users Settlement happens in batched "rounds" Exit to L1 anytime (collaborative or unilateral)
4/8 RGB + Ark = Natural Fit RGB state lives on UTXOs. Ark gives you virtual UTXOs. Our approach: VTXO = RGB Carrier Transfer = Move allocation between VTXOs Exit = Real RGB consignment to L1 No channel state to sync. No routing complexity.
5/8 What Works Today (Mainnet) ✅ Import RGB from Bitmask ✅ FREE instant transfers between Ark users ✅ Export back to Bitmask (real consignments) ✅ Signed receipts for ownership proof ✅ Compatible with rgb-lib v0.11 ecosystem
6/8 Architecture Bitmask (L1) ↓ import RGB-Ark-Node (Ark L2) ↓ FREE transfers ↓ (instant, unlimited) ↓ export Bitmask (L1) The server's rgb-lib wallet acts as a reserve backing Ark allocations.
7/8 Trade-offs (Honest Take) ⚠️ Trust: Server holds RGB state (not fully self-custodial... yet) ⚠️ Requires ASP (Ark Service Provider) ⚠️ v0.11 only (not compatible with v0.12 projects) We're working on tapret proofs for better self-custody.
8/8 The repo for you to test all this on regex or mainnet if you’re as adventurous as me https://t.co/OTnjPskN0X