Smart Contracts on Bitcoin? Hyper’s $16M Presale Sparks Big Scalability Hopes

Bitcoin has always been the largest and most secure cryptocurrency, but compared to other blockchains like Ethereum, it has one big limitation it was never designed to handle smart contracts or complex decentralized apps. This gap has often left Bitcoin behind in areas such as DeFi, NFTs, and blockchain-based services. A new project called Bitcoin Hyper is aiming to change that, and it has already raised more than $16 million in its presale, signaling strong interest from both small and large investors.

What is Bitcoin Hyper?

Bitcoin Hyper is a Layer-2 solution built to make Bitcoin faster and more programmable. Instead of processing everything directly on the Bitcoin blockchain, it uses a “rollup” method. This means transactions are grouped together off-chain and then sent back to Bitcoin in compressed summaries. This approach keeps Bitcoin’s security intact while reducing fees and speeding things up dramatically. By combining Bitcoin’s security with Solana’s Virtual Machine (SVM) a system known for high-speed execution Bitcoin Hyper claims it could push transaction speeds from Bitcoin’s 3–5 per second to 65,000 per second, similar to Solana’s performance. If successful, this would open the door for decentralized finance (DeFi) apps, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized apps (dApps) on Bitcoin.

The presale has already raised $16.4 million as of mid-September 2025. At the current stage, tokens are priced at around $0.012925 each, and they come with staking rewards as high as 71% annual yield. Such high returns have attracted many early investors, including large buyers known as “whales.” For example, one weekend saw $64,000 worth of purchases in a single day. These numbers show that investors are not only hopeful about Bitcoin Hyper’s technology but also eager to benefit from early incentives.

The Technology Behind Hyper

A key part of Bitcoin Hyper is its Canonical Bridge. This system lets users lock their real Bitcoin and receive a wrapped version that can be used on the Layer-2 network. The wrapped Bitcoin can always be redeemed back, meaning users don’t lose their original assets. The project has also undergone audits from firms like Coinsult and Solidproof to check for potential vulnerabilities. According to the roadmap, a testnet (trial version) is expected in Q4 2025, putting Hyper slightly ahead of competitors in the Bitcoin scaling race.

On-chain simulations shared by the development team show that complex smart contracts can settle in under a second compared to Bitcoin’s traditional one-hour confirmations. If these results carry over to the live network, it could transform how Bitcoin is used in everyday applications. Even though Bitcoin is worth over $2 trillion and trades above $117,000, it has long struggled with scalability. While Ethereum and other blockchains have dominated decentralized applications, Bitcoin has mostly stayed focused on being a store of value.

Projects like Stacks and Rootstock have tried to add smart contract functionality to Bitcoin before, but Bitcoin Hyper is offering something different. By using Solana’s ecosystem, which developers are already comfortable with, it may lower the barrier for creating new apps on Bitcoin. The team has even introduced a playful twist by linking the project to meme culture, unveiling a Pepe themed utility token. While lighthearted, this strategy also highlights how Bitcoin Hyper aims to combine serious technology with modern crypto trends.

Of course, the road is not without risks. One of the biggest concerns in Layer-2 solutions is the vulnerability of bridges. In 2024 alone, more than $300 million was lost in exploits targeting cross-chain bridges. Hyper’s team plans to use zero-knowledge proofs to strengthen security, but until the system is tested in real-world conditions, doubts remain. Regulation is another challenge. New laws like the GENIUS Act may classify wrapped Bitcoin as securities, which could complicate adoption in some regions. At the same time, competition is heating up, with other projects like Merlin Chain also racing to provide Bitcoin scaling solutions.

Looking Ahead

The rise of Bitcoin Hyper is happening in the context of a growing “BitcoinFi” landscape. The project has laid out a five-phase roadmap. It began with presale fundraising and is set to move toward a community-driven governance model, much like Ethereum’s Layer-2 network Optimism. Early developer demos have already shown decentralized swaps settling in just 200 milliseconds, which could make Bitcoin attractive for traders and investors who want speed without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem. If successful, Bitcoin Hyper could unlock more than $100 billion worth of dormant Bitcoin for use in lending pools, staking, and other financial applications.

Bitcoin Hyper is trying to turn Bitcoin from a simple digital currency into a platform that supports the same kind of innovation found on Ethereum and Solana. Its presale success shows strong confidence, but much will depend on how well the technology performs and whether it can avoid security issues that have plagued other Layer-2 projects. If it delivers on its promises, Bitcoin Hyper could mark the beginning of a new era for Bitcoin one where it is not just secure and valuable, but also fast, flexible, and programmable.