Blockchain
RSK / Rootstock (Bitcoin Sidechain)
Bitcoin sidechain with smart contracts, secured via merge-mining. EVM-compatible. Parent: IOV Labs. Only Bitcoin-based crypto-stamp blockchain — used by Gibraltar's Cryptocurrency Stamp 2021.
RSK / Rootstock — Bitcoin Sidechain
RSK (Rootstock) is a Bitcoin sidechain with smart contract functionality — a layer-2 solution that extends Bitcoin with Ethereum-like programmability. RSK was launched in 2018 and was renamed to "Rootstock" in 2022 (RSK remains in use as the technical abbreviation).
Tech Architecture
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Bitcoin sidechain |
| Smart contract layer | EVM-compatible (Ethereum Virtual Machine) |
| Security | Bitcoin mining power (merge mining) |
| Token | RBTC (1:1 pegged with BTC) |
| Native token | RIF (Rootstock Infrastructure Framework) |
| Token standard | RSK-own with Ethereum bridge |
| Parent | IOV Labs Limited |
Merge mining means: Bitcoin miners can simultaneously validate RSK blocks — RSK benefits from Bitcoin's hash rate security without separate mining operations.
Organization
IOV Labs Limited is the parent organization:
- CEO: Diego Gutiérrez Zaldivar (Argentina-origin)
- Headquarters: originally Buenos Aires, later globalized
- Mission: "Bitcoin DeFi" — smart contracts on Bitcoin
Rootstock Labs Ltd: separate subsidiary
- Director: Malcolm Palle (also Coinsilium Chairman)
Crypto Stamp Significance
RSK/Rootstock is the only Bitcoin-based blockchain in the crypto stamp universe. All other crypto stamp issuers use:
- Ethereum family: Polygon (DE/IT/AT family), Immutable X (US)
- Tezos: FR
- Private chains: JP (Rakuten)
Usage: Gibraltar's Cryptocurrency Stamp 2021 and presumably Crypto Football Sheet 2024 use RSK/Rootstock.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | RSK mainnet launch |
| May 2021 | Coinsilium/Nifty Labs NFT marketplace announcement on RSK |
| 16.09.2021 | NFT mainnet launch on RSK (4 months AFTER Gibraltar stamp launch) |
| 16.09.2021 | First NFT on RSK mainnet: Diego Gutiérrez Zaldivar portrait for Crypto Hall of Fame |
| 2022 | RSK rebranded to "Rootstock" |
"NFT Mintings Mystery"
The Gibraltar Cryptocurrency Stamp NFTs were sold in May 2021 — but RSK mainnet only went live in September 2021. Exact mintings timing not publicly documented. Possible scenarios:
- Delayed minted on RSK (after Sept 2021)
- Off-chain promise with later delivery
- Initially on testnet, then migration
Edge case in crypto stamp history.
Significance in the Wiki
RSK/Rootstock documents the Bitcoin NFT pioneer path — an alternative blockchain architecture to the Ethereum mainstream. Structurally important as example of diversity in the crypto stamp tech stack.
Related terms
Related editions
| Issued | Edition | ISO | Chain | Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-05-17 | Cryptocurrency Stamp 2021 – Gibraltar Blockchain Hub | GI | rsk-rootstock | mainstream |