What are Bitcoin dapps?

Bitcoin dapps, or decentralized applications, are software programs that operate on the Bitcoin blockchain. They use Bitcoin’s decentralized and secure network to execute tasks or services without a central authority. Dapps operate with smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into lines of code. These smart contracts are strict and cannot be changed once added to the blockchain.

You’re correct about the differences between Bitcoin dapps and those on other blockchain platforms. It boils down to the differences in the base protocols of the blockchains they’re built on. For example, Ethereum dapps are more flexible in what they can do because Ethereum’s base layer protocol was designed to execute complex smart contracts. Bitcoin, on the other hand, was originally designed as a digital currency so its scripting language is simpler and not turing complete, limiting the kind of dapps you can build on it. However, the introduction of the Lightning Network and other similar protocols are bringing more opportunities for advanced smart contracts on Bitcoin.

Bitcoin dapps are used in a variety of fields including finance, gaming, and social media, typically offering enhanced transparency, security, and resistance to censorship compared to traditional applications. They can also include financial incentives for participants through the use of tokens or cryptocurrencies. Blockchain technology and dapps are still in their early stages though, so there’s a lot of ongoing development and potential for the future in this space.