There is no lack of innovation in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency. While not all projects will gain mainstream success, the Bottle project is rather intriguing. It is advertised as a Bitcoin browser, which has seen some big update in recent times. Now is a good time to look closely at what Bottle offers exactly and why users should care.
Why Does Bottle Exist?
Whereas most people look at the Bitcoin blockchain as a way to record transactions, there is a lot more functionality than meets the eye. It is possible for users to directly upload files to the Bitcoin network where they will remain as immutable transactions. Every upload remains anchored into the blockchain as soon as the associated transaction has received the necessary network confirmations. Bottle aims to facilitate this aspect by letting users anchor any file they see fit onto the Bitcoin blockchain.
What is rather interesting is how there are no restrictions in terms of file extensions to be uploaded. Whether it is video, images, or documents, all of these options are available to Bottle users. Even applications and interactive pages can be added, which creates a few interesting potential business files. The most important aspect is how this solution can be used to verify proof of ownership, which is quite valuable in terms of potentially monetizing specific content.
How Does it Work?
Being able to upload files to the Bitcoin blockchain is one thing, but accessing them is something else. Bottle is a browser-oriented solution which lets anyone “surf” the Bitcoin network for potentially uploaded files. It also makes it easier to directly access files through the native supported URIs supported. One interesting aspect of this network is how files will remain accessible as there is no “centralized server” hosting these files.
Anyone who wants to create new applications or interactive pages based on files hosted on the Bitcoin network can do so as well. All it takes is a bit of code to retrieve the necessary files from the blockchain directly, which will always remain accessible. Unlike other options, this does not make use of the HTTP or HTTP protocol. It is a very compelling offering, although one that might not necessarily appeal to the masses at this time.
What Comes Next?
With the Bottle solution available for everyone to use, getting people excited about this concept is the next logical step. While the Bottle team acknowledges they are primarily building tools which might not be used for years to come, the fact this exists shows how versatile the Bitcoin blockchain really is. With a dedicated browser tool to access the Bitcoin network in a different manner, the team is building something unprecedented. Bitcoin is not “the next web’, as it is in a category of its own.
When looking at the bigger picture, there will be a market for Bottle and what it provides. In terms of achieving decentralized content distribution, file sharing, and even video hosting, this solution has a lot of future potential. It may take a while until the masses become aware of how versatile the Bitcoin network is, or what Bottle does, but that doesn’t mean solutions like these should be overlooked.
Disclaimer: This is not trading or investment advice. The above article is for entertainment and education purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing or investing into any cryptocurrency.
