ckBoost Protocol: Accelerating Bitcoin to ckBTC Transactions

A decentralized protocol for instant Bitcoin liquidity on the Internet Computer

🚀 Protocol Overview

ckBoost is a decentralized backend protocol built on the Internet Computer that solves the critical problem of slow Bitcoin to ckBTC conversion times. By creating a liquidity pool marketplace, ckBoost enables instant Bitcoin transactions, reducing confirmation times from 2 hours to ~15 minutes.

This is a protocol-only implementation - no frontend included. It's designed to be integrated by wallets, dApps, and other applications that need fast Bitcoin bridging.

🔍 The Problem

ckBTC wrapping transactions are secure but slow. The standard confirmation time for minting ckBTC is approximately 2 hours, which creates significant friction for users who need faster access to their funds. This limitation is a major obstacle to ckBTC adoption for everyday transactions.

💡 Our Solution

ckBoost introduces a novel approach to this problem through a two-sided marketplace:

1. Liquidity Providers: Users can create booster pools by depositing ckBTC and setting a fee percentage. These pools provide the liquidity needed to "boost" transactions.

2. Users: People who need faster access to their ckBTC can use these liquidity pools to receive their funds in approximately 15 minutes instead of waiting for 2 hours, paying a small fee to the liquidity providers.

✨ Key Features

For Liquidity Providers:

• Create customizable booster pools with adjustable fee percentages (0.1% to 2%)
• Earn passive income by collecting fees when your pool is used for boosting transactions
• Monitor real-time pool balances and total boosted amounts
• Withdraw liquidity at any time (when not actively being used for boosting)

For Users:

• Receive ckBTC in approximately 15 minutes instead of 2 hours
• Transparent fee system with no hidden costs
• Seamless user experience with real-time transaction tracking

🛠️ Protocol Stack

• Smart Contracts: Motoko on the Internet Computer
• Blockchain Integration: ckBTC (chain-key Bitcoin)
• Standards: ICRC-1 for token transfers
• Build Tools: DFX (Internet Computer SDK)

🏗️ Protocol Architecture

ckBoost leverages the Internet Computer Protocol and its chain-key technology to create a trustless bridge between Bitcoin and ckBTC. The protocol consists of:

1. Core Canister: Written in Motoko, handles all protocol logic including liquidity pools, boost execution, and fund management.

2. ckBTC Integration: Direct integration with the ckBTC minter for Bitcoin monitoring and ckBTC minting.

3. Modular Design: Clean separation of concerns with dedicated modules for ledger operations, validation, and minting workflows.

4. ICRC-1 Compliance: Standard token operations for seamless integration with wallets and other protocols.

🚀 Protocol Deployment

Prerequisites

• DFX (Internet Computer SDK)
• IC Wallet with ICP for canister deployment (for mainnet)

Local Development

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/ckboost/ckboost-canister
cd ckboost-canister

2. Install dependencies:

npm install

3. Start local Internet Computer replica:

npm run start

4. Deploy the protocol locally:

npm run deploy:local

5. Generate type declarations:

npm run generate

Mainnet Deployment

Deploy to Internet Computer mainnet:

npm run deploy:ic

📚 Protocol Integration

Canister Interface

The ckBoost protocol exposes a comprehensive API for integration. Key functions include:

• registerBoostRequest() - Create new boost requests
• acceptBoostRequest() - Provide instant liquidity
• registerBoosterAccount() - Become a liquidity provider
• triggerMintingForMyBoostRequest() - Fallback minting for users
• reclaimMintedFunds() - Reclaim funds after minting

Integration Examples

JavaScript/TypeScript Integration:

import { Actor } from "@dfinity/agent";
import { idlFactory } from "./declarations/backend";

const ckBoostActor = Actor.createActor(idlFactory, {
  agent: your_agent,
  canisterId: "your_canister_id"
});

// Create a boost request
const result = await ckBoostActor.registerBoostRequest(
  amount_in_satoshis,
  max_fee_percentage,
  confirmations_required,
  preferred_booster
);

Complete Documentation: Visit docs.ckboost.com for comprehensive integration guides, API reference, and protocol documentation.

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Built with ❤️ on the Internet Computer, during BUIDL Battle hackathon