Architecture and Security | GOAT Network FAQ

Question 1

What is the GOAT Network stack?

Accepted Answer

The GOAT Network stack combines Bitcoin-backed settlement, a BitVM2-based trust-minimized bridge, a Type-1 zkEVM execution environment, Ziren zero-knowledge proof infrastructure, and decentralized sequencing. Together, these components provide programmable execution while ultimately anchoring state commitments and settlement to Bitcoin.

Question 2

What is a type-1 zkEVM execution environment?

Accepted Answer

A Type-1 zkEVM is designed to preserve Ethereum-equivalent execution semantics while using zero-knowledge proofs to verify execution. This allows existing Solidity contracts, Ethereum development tools, and common developer workflows to be reused with minimal changes.

Question 3

Is GOAT Network EVM-compatible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GOAT Network provides an Ethereum-equivalent execution environment, allowing developers to use Solidity and familiar tools such as Hardhat, Foundry, ethers, and standard EVM wallets. BTC is used as the native gas token instead of ETH.

Question 4

What makes GOAT different from a standard EVM chain?

Accepted Answer

Unlike a standard EVM chain that settles through its own consensus system or Ethereum, GOAT Network is designed to connect EVM-compatible execution to Bitcoin-backed settlement. It also combines Ziren proof generation, decentralized sequencing, BTC-denominated gas, and a BitVM2-based bridge security model.

Question 5

What role does the purpose-built zkVM play?

Accepted Answer

Ziren is the zkVM proving system used in the GOAT Network execution pipeline. It generates cryptographic proofs for execution results and connects those results to the bridge verification process without requiring Bitcoin to execute the full computation directly.

Question 6

What is decentralized sequencing?

Accepted Answer

Decentralized sequencing distributes transaction ordering and block production across multiple sequencer nodes instead of relying on a single operator. GOAT Network uses a CometBFT-based consensus layer for transaction ordering and a geth-based execution layer for EVM execution, improving liveness, censorship resistance, and resilience against single points of failure.

Question 7

What is BitVM2/BitVM3 architecture?

Accepted Answer

BitVM enables complex computation to be verified through Bitcoin without requiring changes to Bitcoin consensus. GOAT Network's currently documented bridge architecture is based on BitVM2, which introduces permissionless challenges and a 1-of-n honesty assumption. BitVM3 and BitVM 3s describe successor research directions intended to move more verification work offchain and reduce onchain assertion costs.

Question 8

How does GOAT Network approach security?

Accepted Answer

GOAT Network uses layered security that includes Bitcoin-backed settlement, optimistic verification, fraud proofs, permissionless challenges, operator collateral, slashing, timelocks, decentralized sequencing, watchtower monitoring, and zero-knowledge proofs. Its BitVM2-based bridge follows a 1-of-n honesty model, meaning fraudulent behavior can be prevented when at least one required participant acts honestly and can challenge an invalid claim.

Question 9

Where can developers read more about the architecture?

Accepted Answer

Developers can read the GOAT Network documentation for detailed information about the network overview, execution environment, BitVM architecture, GOAT BitVM bridge, decentralized sequencing, security model, network configuration, and developer tools.