OP_CAT is a proposed upgrade for Bitcoin that aims to introduce Ethereum-like smart contract functionality to the blockchain. Although it has garnered interest, OP_CAT is still in the early stages of garnering the consensus needed for integration into Bitcoin’s core software.
StarkWare, the prominent developer behind the Starknet network on Ethereum, has provided a preview of OP_CAT’s potential on Bitcoin. Using a testing environment called Signet and leveraging OP_CAT, StarkWare showcased how zero-knowledge proofs—advanced cryptographic techniques used for data compression or validating statements without revealing sensitive information—could be implemented on Bitcoin.
The goal of this demonstration was to highlight OP_CAT’s capabilities, which are proposed to bring Ethereum-style smart contract programmability to Bitcoin—a feature traditionally absent from Satoshi Nakamoto’s original peer-to-peer payment system.
Despite its promising aspects, OP_CAT is still in the preliminary phase of gaining the necessary consensus for inclusion in Bitcoin’s core protocol. StarkWare has publicly supported the proposal, citing its potential benefits for both the Bitcoin community and the broader blockchain ecosystem.
