RSK Infrastructure Framework (RIF) is a suite of open and decentralised infrastructure protocols designed to facilitate the development and deployment of distributed applications (dApps) on the Rootstock (RSK) Smart Contract Network. RIF aims to provide a unified environment with interoperable services, enhancing the versatility and scalability of blockchain applications.
RIF operates on the Rootstock (RSK) Smart Contract Network, a sidechain of the Bitcoin blockchain. By utilising RSK’s two-way peg to Bitcoin, it allows users to convert BTC to RBTC and back, maintaining liquidity and high security. RSK is secured through merged mining with Bitcoin's Proof of Work consensus mechanism, leveraging Bitcoin’s hash power for security. The RSK network is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling developers to deploy Ethereum-based smart contracts and creating a versatile platform for dApps.
RIF supports various use cases, particularly in decentralised finance (DeFi), by promoting financial inclusion and providing services such as lending, borrowing, and digital savings. It offers decentralised solutions for data storage and payment processing, facilitates secure communications, and supports interoperability between different blockchains, including integrating the DAI stablecoin into its ecosystem. Projects like Sovryn, RSK Swap, and Tropykus highlight real-world applications of RIF in DeFi.
RIF was founded by a team led by Diego Gutiérrez Zaldivar and Sergio Demian Lerner and originated from the development of the RSK Network, which started in 2015. The RSK Smart Protocol was introduced in 2015, followed by the concept of RIF Open Standard (RIFOS) in 2017. RIFOS aimed to bridge blockchain technologies with mass adoption by providing a standardised suite of decentralised services. Over time, RIF has expanded its ecosystem with various infrastructure protocols and has integrated with other blockchains to enhance interoperability. The RSK Network leverages Bitcoin's security through merge-mining and has evolved to support a range of DeFi applications and services.