> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bvm.network/bvm/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bvm.network/bvm/l3-scaling-solutions/what-are-bitcoin-appchains.md).

# What are Bitcoin appchains?

Bitcoin appchains (or Bitcoin L3s) are designed for application-specific blockchains.

They are ZK rollups. But instead of rolling up to Bitcoin directly, they roll up to a Bitcoin L2.

It is more cost-effective for smaller teams and indie developers to have their own blockchain and focus on a single application.

<figure><img src="https://824077807-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4LrpKdKCJA4rekyqoMPj%2Fuploads%2FQteGQHhp4vGYyAPf2SkF%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=c04f9942-028f-402d-b3ef-72da45ac4760" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
