The release of RGB version 0.11.1 on the Bitcoin mainnet marks a significant advancement in enabling users to create and manage digital assets directly on the Bitcoin and Lightning networks. This update facilitates the issuance and administration of various digital tokens—including stablecoins, NFTs, and other programmable assets—within the Bitcoin ecosystem. RGB operates as a smart contract and tokenization protocol that verifies transactions through client-side validation, eliminating the need for intermediaries or trusted third parties. Although closely integrated with Bitcoin, RGB conducts transaction verification off-chain to ensure scalability and maintain user privacy.
With the deployment of RGB v0.11.1, users can now generate, send, receive, and interact with programmable contracts on Bitcoin, while leveraging the Lightning Network for low-cost token transfers. This release fully embeds asset issuance and trading capabilities within the Bitcoin system, unlocking the potential of RGB through Lightning. As a result, RGB provides a foundational framework for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications on the Lightning Network, supporting high-volume trading, asset management, and stablecoin liquidity—critical elements for modern financial services.
The RGB Protocol Association, formally established on July 14, comprises a coalition of prominent developers and organizations, including Bitfinex, Fulgur Ventures, Bitmask, Plan B Network, Boosty Labs, Kaleidoswap, ThunderStack, Bitcoin Tribe, and LNFI. Several companies utilizing the RGB protocol have already launched platforms to facilitate asset issuance, transfer, and management. Notable among these are LNFI Network, Bitcoin Tribe, Bitmask, ThunderStack, and Iris Wallet, which enhance user access to RGB-based digital assets.
According to Anant Topadya, founder of Bitcoin Tribe, this release represents a pivotal milestone not only for the RGB protocol but also for expanding how assets are managed on Bitcoin. Leveraging peer-to-peer communication through Holepunch, the initiative aims to establish a community layer beyond a mere wallet interface, fostering broader engagement with Bitcoin’s asset ecosystem. This development signals the beginning of a transformative phase that could enable mainstream tokenization of real-world assets on Bitcoin and facilitate the transition toward a global financial system anchored by Bitcoin standards.
Source: bitcoinmagazine
