What is BRC20 and Why Bitcoin Just Got an EVM Upgrade

Bitcoin’s token protocol BRC20 just made a major move. Starting from block 912,690, the ecosystem introduced BRC2.0—an upgrade that brings Ethereum-style smart contract capabilities directly to the Bitcoin network.

Here’s what changed: BRC20 previously relied on what developers call “calculator-like” indexers for processing token operations. The upgrade integrates the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) into BRC20’s architecture, essentially giving Bitcoin tokens access to the same programmable functionality that powers Ethereum dApps. This transformation makes BRC20 Turing-complete, meaning it can now execute complex, arbitrary computations—something the original protocol couldn’t do.

Who’s Behind This?

The BRC2.0 upgrade is a collaboration between two key players: Best in Slot (the team behind the Ordinals protocol) and Domo, the anonymous creator of BRC20. According to Best in Slot’s CEO Eril Binari Ezerel, this move represents a fundamental shift in how Bitcoin tokens operate, moving beyond simple transactions into full-fledged smart contract territory.

What’s the Big Picture?

Domo framed it as merging two industry leaders: Bitcoin’s unmatched security and decentralization with Ethereum’s mature, proven virtual machine. The goal is clear—users get the composability and programmability of Ethereum while maintaining Bitcoin’s fortress-like security guarantees. It’s essentially asking: what if Bitcoin could do everything Ethereum does, but without compromising on decentralization?

This upgrade signals that Bitcoin’s token ecosystem is evolving beyond basic value transfer into a more sophisticated infrastructure capable of supporting complex applications and protocols.