At Native, we're laying the groundwork for Bitcoin to evolve beyond "digital gold" into a programmable, interoperable asset. A key part of this transformation is the Bitcoin Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) Relayer—the unsung hero ensuring that Native and Bitcoin stay securely in sync.🐝

But what is the SPV Relayer, and why does it matter? 

The Need for the SPV Relayer

For Native to work seamlessly with Bitcoin, it must track everything happening on the Bitcoin blockchain—new blocks, transactions, and their validity.

This is no small task, as Bitcoin’s design prioritizes security and decentralization but lacks programmability. To bridge this gap, Native uses the SPV Relayer, which connects Bitcoin to Native in real time, ensuring every transaction and block is accounted for.

How the SPV Relayer Works

To simplify, the SPV Relayer involves three key components:

1. Bitcoin Full Node:
   • Think of it as the “ledger keeper.” It records all Bitcoin activity and provides data like blocks and transactions.

2. Native Node with SPV (Light Client):
   • A lightweight system that doesn’t store everything but keeps track of Bitcoin’s block headers (the essential summaries of each block).
   • It validates transactions by verifying their inclusion in Bitcoin blocks.

3. Bitcoin SPV Relayer:
   • The messenger that connects the Bitcoin Full Node and the Native Light Client.
   • It syncs block headers from Bitcoin and passes them to the light client for validation.

Step-by-Step Process:

1.Syncing Blocks:

1. The relayer connects to the Bitcoin Full Node and checks if the light client is missing any block headers.
2. If headers are missing, the relayer fetches them from the full node and sends them in batches to the light client

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2.Tracking New Blocks:

1. Once synced, the relayer listens for new Bitcoin blocks.
2. Each time a new block is created, its headers are sent to the light client.
   
   

3.Validating Transactions:

1. When a new transaction occurs, the relayer creates a "SPV proof" (a cryptographic summary that proves the transaction’s validity).
2. This proof is sent to the light client, which checks if the transaction is legitimate.
   

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Why the SPV Relayer is a Big Deal

Bitcoin is often seen as static—secure but hard to integrate with other systems. The SPV Relayer changes that narrative by making Bitcoin programmable and interoperable.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Security First: Users don’t need to trust risky bridges or custodians. Everything is trust-minimized and direct.
2. Real-Time Syncing: The relayer ensures Native has up-to-date data on Bitcoin blocks and transactions.
3. Programmability: Developers can build dApps that use Bitcoin directly, without compromising security or custody.

Watch the video from our lead Dev to understand better👇

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Join the Movement

The Bitcoin SPV Relayer is more than just tech—it’s a gateway to Bitcoin’s future in DeFi. As we continue to roll out our roadmap, this relayer will be the backbone for enabling Bitcoin programmability and interoperability.

Stay tuned as we transform Bitcoin into a programmable powerhouse! Join the Community: https://discord.com/invite/gonative

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