When we started this project, it was just the Mintlayer Network, the open source network that laid the groundwork for Bitcoin DeFi, tokenization, and Real World Assets. Most of the community has known us on our journey as simply the Mintlayer Network and nothing else. However, we've been busy at work, and now Mintlayer encompasses more than ever before. We'd like to help clarify and break down the evolution and structure of the Mintlayer ecosystem, how we've grown, and why Mintlayer now means much more than just the network.

If you've noticed, Mintlayer.com now represents Mintlayer as a whole, encompassing the network, portfolio products and services. Meanwhile, Mintlayer.org remains dedicated to just the Mintlayer Network and core open source technology.

Mintlayer as a whole now represents an entire ecosystem with a variety of portfolio products, projects and services.

Mintlayer Structure

Open Source Protocol

• The Mintlayer Network
  
  • Block Explorer
  • Mojito Wallet
• ZK Thunder Network L3

Services

• Mintlayer Web Services (MWS)

Portfolio Products

• Interest.One

Ecosystem dApps

• RioSwap
• MintFun

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Foundation Infrastructure

The backbone of all that we have built is the Mintlayer Network which lays the groundwork for Bitcoin to do more. It allows Bitcoin to be swapped directly for other assets without intermediaries. This opens the door for true Bitcoin Decentralized Financial Infrastructure designed to enable BTC Native Cross Chain Swaps, simple tokenization and scalability through layers. 

The Mintlayer Network’s Layered Architecture

When we think of the structure of the network there are three separate parts. First is the Bitcoin Network which we know and love, although we didn’t build it we consider this Layer 1. Then we have the Mintlayer Mainnet Network which is considered Layer 2 and its main function is to be interoperable with Bitcoin and enable simple tokenization. Then our third layer is designed for scale and Ethereum Virtual Machine Compatibility (EVM) provides a fast settlement layer.Below you can see a graphic that helps to make it easier to visualize. And then we can go deeper into explaining each layer.

• Layer 1: The Bitcoin Network
  Known for its unparalleled reliability, Layer 1 operates with robust security, albeit at lower transaction speeds, with settlements potentially extending beyond 10 minutes during peak times.
  
  
• Layer 2: The Mintlayer Network
  Mintlayer L2 enhances interoperability through Native BTC Cross Chain Swaps using Hash Time Locked Contracts, allowing direct swaps between Bitcoin, ML coins, and other Mintlayer-minted assets. While faster than Bitcoin with a settlement time of approximately 2 minutes, L2 prioritizes security and reliability, leveraging non-Turing complete smart contracts and a UTXO model inspired by Bitcoin’s architecture.
  
  
• Layer 3: Mintlayer ZK Thunder Network
  The introduction of ZK Thunder Network L3 marks a significant technological advancement, offering 1 second transaction settlements and EVM compatibility that facilitates seamless integration with Ethereum-based smart contracts and dApps. This layer ensures that Mintlayer can easily interact with other EVM-compatible chains through a Fast Bridge, optimizing usability without compromising the underlying robustness provided by L2.

Explorer & Wallet:

With the Mintlayer Network we have the tooling to view transactions with our Blockexplorer and our own wallet that supports mintlayer tokenization standards. 

Mintlayer Block Explorer
Real time blockchain analytics deliver transparency, trust, and actionable insights on every transaction.

View Block Explorer: https://explorer.mintlayer.org/

Mojito Wallet
The first wallet built for the Mintlayer network. It's a BTC, ML, MLS-01, and MLS-03 wallet for staking, swapping, and NFTs. You can easily stake your $ML coins directly in the wallet.

Download Mojito: https://www.mintlayer.org/wallet

Mintlayer origins started with these essentials: the core network, wallet, block explorer, and the newly added ZK Thunder Network. Since then we have evolved and grown beyond the network into new sectors. Our latest segments now extend well past the open source stack.

Mintlayers Evolution into Products, Services & Apps  

Services

The next phase for Mintlayer is not just building products for ourselves. It is providing others with the tool kit and solutions to power the next wave of finance. Which is where Mintlayer Web Services (MWS) comes into play.

Mintlayer Web Services (MWS)
MWS is our product studio that brings concepts to life with ready to launch platforms or bespoke solutions. We work with founders, funds, platforms, and institutions that want to launch on-chain without assembling full internal development teams.

What MWS can build with you:

• Core blockchain infrastructure - Tokenization, settlement rails, data services
• Compliance and risk systems - KYC and AML flows, permissions, audit reporting
• Real World Asset frameworks - Issuance, distribution, secondary markets
• Fintech and AI integrations - Analytics, monitoring, automated operations
• Bonds and loan services - Issuance, coupon schedules, lifecycle servicing
• Commodities and stablecoins -Tokenized assets, proof of reserves, treasury flows

Check out MWS 'many different offerings below.
Real Estate: https://www.mintlayer.com/mws/real-estate-tokenization-whitelabel
StableCoins: https://www.mintlayer.com/mws/stable-coins
Bonds: https://www.mintlayer.com/mws/bonds

We plan on services playing an increasing important role in Mintlayer’s future. This matters because it means we are not only building core infrastructure. We are now helping others deploy real businesses on top of that infrastructure.

Products

Alongside core infrastructure and services, we are now launching products that sit on top of Mintlayer infrastructure and are aimed at bridging traditional finance and Real World Assets (RWAs) to Bitcoin.

Interest.One
Our first major foray into RWA products is Interest.One which is a Fund of Funds built to connect Bitcoin to regulated, income producing Real World Assets while holders keep ownership of their BTC. The goal is to turn idle Bitcoin into productive capital in a compliant, auditable framework.

The Funds included are:

• Real Estate
• Healthcare and MedTech
• AI and Advanced Computing
• Energy and Mobility
• Defense, Security, and Cybersecurity
• Food and Water Security

This model is built for long term value, on chain clarity, and institutional discipline. It links Bitcoin to real world yield without forcing holders to sell, wrap, or give up custody.

Get the details: http://interest.one/

This marks an important shift. Mintlayer is not only building rails but also building regulated institutional and consumer products that can operate on those rails.

Ecosystem dApps

From core infrastructure to products, services and now we are building ecosystem level applications on Mintlayer. DApps like RioSwap and MintFun are the first wave of applications that will pave the way for the community. 

RioSwap
RioSwap is the first BTC native cross chain decentralized exchange powered by Mintlayer atomic swap infrastructure. No wrapped assets. No bridges. No custodians. This is direct Bitcoin liquidity trading across chains with self custody intact.

RioSwap Public Testnet is live and the mainnet launch is coming soon.

Test out RioSwap: https://test.rioswap.com/

MintFun
MintFun is the evolution of our Token Factory. It is a simple launchpad for creating new MLS-01 tokens on Mintlayer. You fill out a few fields and then Mint the tokens which go live with no code required. The project is also offered up fully open source so other partners can build and improve upon.  

This is how communities spin up experiments, memes, culture tokens, loyalty tokens, whatever they want, without waiting on a dev team.

Try MintFun on testnet:
https://test.mintfun.mintlayer.org/

These apps are early proof of what can be built. There are more in the pipeline, both internal and partner led.

Mintlayer’s Future Vision

Mintlayer started as an open source Bitcoin Layer 2. That part of our identity is unchanged and remains critical. But Mintlayer as it exists today is larger than just the network.

The New Mintlayer is also:

• A development services arm (MWS) that helps teams launch compliant products on-chain.
• Regulated financial products like Interest.One that connect Bitcoin to yield in the real economy.
• DApps ecosystem with RioSwap and MintFun that showcase what is possible on top of the network.

Our vision is to deliver a complete stack: infrastructure, products, services, and regulatory alignment for the next wave of Bitcoin finance. That includes Real World Assets, tokenized equity, AI assisted fund management, and compliant institutional on-ramps.

We believe the next cycle will not only be about speculation. It will be about capital formation, asset tokenization, and regulated yield on top of Bitcoin. Institutions are already moving in that direction. They will want compliant, Bitcoin aligned rails, not just marketing.

This is why Mintlayer now means more than just the network. It is the foundation, the toolkit, the products, and the path forward.  

Mintlayer is building the infrastructure, services and products for the future of finance.

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