# Designing M3

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This theoretical framework serves as an exploratory artifact, not a product roadmap.
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### The Evolution of Bitcoin

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### Bitcoin Mark 1 (M1): 2008

Launched in 2008, Bitcoin revolutionized finance by introducing a decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency system and pioneering the concept of digital scarcity with a fixed supply of 21 million coins. Although originally intended as a payment system, Bitcoin's limited transaction capacity of \~7 transactions per second and high fees during peak demand hindered its use for everyday purchases. However, Bitcoin’s strong security through proof-of-work and its growing reputation as “digital gold” led to its evolution from a payment method to a highly sought-after store of value. It became recognized as a hedge against inflation and a reserve asset for institutions and governments, solidifying Bitcoin’s transformation into a premier institutional product.&#x20;
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### Bitcoin Mark 2 (M2): 2015

In 2015, the Lightning Network was introduced as Bitcoin’s second-layer solution, designed to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs. By enabling off-chain, instant payments through peer-to-peer payment channels, the Lightning Network opened up new use cases for micropayments, gaming, streaming, and tipping services. Despite these innovations, Lightning Network adoption faced challenges such as liquidity issues, complex channel management, and dependency on the slower Bitcoin base layer for final settlement.&#x20;
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### Bitcoin Mark 3 (M3): 2025

With Bitcoin now established as an institutional product, the M3 experiment aims to overcome its technical and structural limitations to realize the original vision—a scalable, accessible, and value-generating digital financial system. A system built by the users, for the users, owned by the users—not controlled by institutions.

BitcoinM3 is an evolution of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Lightning, merging their security and trust with enhanced functionality. While maintaining digital scarcity with a fixed 21 million supply, M3 introduces scalable, low-cost transactions, blockchain adaptability, and intrinsic value creation through a decentralized treasury.\
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**Key Features:**

* **Scarcity:** Fixed supply @ 21M tokens. &#x20;
* **Scalability:** Faster, lower-cost transactions.
* **Intrinsic Value Creation:** Treasury mechanisms for stability and compounding growth.
* **Portability:** Adaptability to new blockchain platforms.
* **Resiliency with Innovation:** Combining market trust with value-generating features.
* **Accessibility:** For those that missed Bitcoin or sold too early.
* **Low Energy Use:** More eco-friendly than PoW-based systems.
* **Smart Contracts:** Advanced programmability for DeFi and dApp ecosystems.
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