What Is Hemi?
Hemi is an EVM-compatible blockchain.
Hemi is a modular Layer-2 blockchain designed to bridge the gap between Bitcoin and Ethereum, creating a unified “supernetwork.” Its primary goal is to bring Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities to the Bitcoin ecosystem, unlocking new possibilities for decentralized finance (DeFi) on the world’s original cryptocurrency. By doing so, Hemi aims to address Bitcoin’s limited programmability while leveraging its robust security, offering developers a platform to build powerful cross-chain applications. This interoperability allows for the seamless transfer of assets and data between the two largest blockchain networks.
At its core, Hemi employs several key technological innovations to achieve this integration. The Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM) is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible environment that includes a full Bitcoin node, enabling smart contracts to directly access and interact with Bitcoin’s data. Security is paramount, and Hemi utilizes a unique Proof-of-Proof (PoP) consensus mechanism, which anchors its state to the Bitcoin blockchain. This process provides Hemi with Bitcoin-level security and finality. Furthermore, Hemi facilitates cross-chain asset transfers through a system called “Tunnels,” which are designed to be more secure and trust-minimized than traditional blockchain bridges.
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