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Rootstock Builder Developer Guide� �

BUILDING BITCOIN-POWERED SMART CONTRACTS

PRESENTED BY: ROOTSTOCK GHANA

EVENT: ROOTSTOCK WEB3 DEVELOPER BOOTCAMP

DATE: 24TH AND 30TH JANUARY, 2026

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What is Rootstock?

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  • Rootstock is a Bitcoin sidechain that enables smart contracts

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  • It brings Ethereum-style programmability to Bitcoin

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  • Secured by Bitcoin mining power through merge mining

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Key Features

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  • EVM compatible
  • Smart contracts on Bitcoin
  • Low transaction fees
  • Fast confirmations

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�Why Build on Rootstock?�Advantages for developers:�

  • Access Bitcoin liquidity
  • EVM compatibility (Solidity developers can easily migrate)
  • Secure network backed by Bitcoin hash power
  • Growing DeFi ecosystem

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Ideal for building

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  • DeFi protocols
  • DAOs
  • Stablecoins
  • Real World Asset tokenization 
  • Web3 infrastructure

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�Rootstock Architecture�Key Components:�

  • RSK Blockchain – smart contract execution 
  • RBTC – native gas token
  • Two-Way Peg (PowPeg) – connects Bitcoin to Rootstock
  • Merge Mining – security via Bitcoin miners
  • This allows Bitcoin to interact with smart contracts.

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�Rootstock for Developers� �

  • One of the biggest advantages of Rootstock is its compatibility with Ethereum tools.
  • Developers who already understand Solidity can start building on Rootstock with very little adjustment.
  • Common development tools include:
  • Solidity
  • Hardhat
  • Truffle
  • Web3.js
  • Ethers.js

 

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Setting Up the Development Environment

  • Before building on Rootstock, developers need a few tools installed:
  • Node.js
  • Hardhat or Truffle framework
  • MetaMask wallet
  • Access to the Rootstock Testnet.
  • Once these are installed, developers can begin writing and deploying smart contracts.

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��Connecting MetaMask to Rootstock� �

  • To work with Rootstock, MetaMask needs to be configured with the network details.
  • Network Name: Rootstock Testnet
  • RPC URL: https://public-node.testnet.rsk.co
  • Chain ID: 31
  • Currency Symbol: tRBTC
  • After adding the network, developers can request test tokens from the Rootstock faucet.

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WRITING A SIMPLE SMART CONTRACT

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  • A basic smart contract on Rootstock can be written using Solidity.
  • Example concept:
  • A contract that stores a message and allows users to update it.
  • This helps developers understand how smart contracts store and modify data on the block chain

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Deploying Smart Contracts�

  • After writing the contract, the next step is deployment.
  • Typical steps include:
  • Compiling the contract
  • Connecting the development framework to Rootstock Testnet
  • Running the deployment script.

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Once deployed, the contract receives a unique blockchain address.

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�Interacting with Smart Contracts�

  • This interaction can happen through:
  • Web applications
  • Wallets like MetaMask
  • Web3 libraries such as Ethers.js.
  • This is how decentralized applications communicate with the blockchain.

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What Can Be Built on Rootstock

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  • Rootstock supports many types of decentralized applications, including:
  • Decentralized finance platforms
  • Tokenized real-world assets 
  • Lending and borrowing systems
  • Payment infrastructure
  • Community or governance DAOs.

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Cont’d

  • Opportunities Rootstock offers
  • Developer support
  •  Funding resources
  • Global scalability and Adoption
  • Ecosystem support

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About the presenter, KUSI BAAH�

 

  • A Blockchain researcher
  • software engineer
  • entrepreneur
  • member, Block chain Builders Association of Ghana (BBAG)

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KUSI BAAH� �