Growing a decentralized application is never just about writing great code. It’s about building with clarity, shipping with consistency, and aligning your product with real user demand. Odin Fun, one of the fastest-growing dapps in the Bitcoin and ICP ecosystem, has done just that.
In the YouTube interview titled "How Odin Fun Hit 60K+ Users with Bitcoin & ICP | Fastest Bitcoin Token Trading Platform", Bob Bodily, CEO and Co-founder of Odin Fun, discusses the platform's growth and its integration of Bitcoin and the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) to deliver a high-speed token trading experience.
Here are some takeaways:
1. Build with a Hybrid Mindset: ICP Isn’t a Rival, It’s a Synergy
Odin Fun didn’t limit itself to one chain or one ideology. Instead, they built a hybrid crypto stack that combines the stability of Bitcoin with the scalability of the Internet Computer. They used ICP’s Chain Key cryptography to integrate directly with Bitcoin, enabling native interactions without wrapped assets or third-party bridges.
This allowed them to offer token trading with real Bitcoin, fast execution, and a gas-free experience. But the bigger takeaway is this: you don’t need to compete with other ecosystems. You can build in synergy with them.
Whether you’re tapping into Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, or emerging networks, ICP allows you to interact natively, using what’s called Chain Fusion. This means your dapp can access users and liquidity across chains, without having to convince anyone to "migrate."
Use that to your advantage. Build applications that serve users where they already are.
2. Speed and UX Should Be Part of Your Product Strategy
Odin Fun didn’t just build a backend that works, they designed a trading experience that feels smooth and intuitive. Their user interface responds quickly, onboarding is simple through Internet Identity, and trading is seamless thanks to ICP’s low-latency environment.
If you’re building on ICP, make user experience a core part of your roadmap. You already have the tech advantage, zero gas fees, low latency, and reverse-gas models. But it’s how you use that advantage that determines how many people stay.
Your dapp shouldn’t just work. It should feel effortless.
3. Focus on Solving Real Problems for Existing Communities
Odin Fun didn’t try to attract everyone. They chose a specific user base, Bitcoin users who wanted fast token trading, and built exactly for them. That focus gave them clarity in messaging, product design, and community growth.
You can apply the same principle to your dapp. But don’t just think about Bitcoin. There are large, active communities in DeFi, NFTs, social tokens, gaming, and creator economies. Look for pain points they experience, slow settlement, expensive gas, poor UX, and solve them with what ICP offers.
Instead of trying to build “for ICP,” build with ICP to serve communities that already exist.
4. Grow in Public and Use the Builder Pattern
One of Odin Fun’s smartest moves was building in public. They didn’t wait until the product was perfect. They launched early, shared progress updates, asked for feedback, and created a feedback loop with their community.
You should consider doing the same. Building in public helps you stay accountable, gain early adopters, and create a narrative people want to follow. ICP has a strong builder culture. When you show your work, others rally behind it.
Document your journey. Share lessons and updates. Let people grow with your project.
5. Distribution Is Not Optional—It's a Growth Lever
Odin Fun didn’t rely on the product alone. They invested in content, creator collaborations, and presence across platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and community forums. Their visibility helped accelerate user growth and build trust across ecosystems.
As a builder, you should take distribution seriously. No matter how good your dapp is, people won’t find it unless you show up consistently where they hang out.
Talk about your product. Host AMAs. Join Twitter Spaces. Publish short video demos. Build a presence that matches your product.
Your Next Steps as a Builder on ICP
If you want to scale like Odin Fun, consider the following:
- Use ICP’s native integrations (like Bitcoin and Ethereum) to build dapps that bridge ecosystems
- Focus on user experience from day one—leverage Internet Identity, zero gas, and smooth interfaces
- Pick a specific problem to solve for an existing community (DeFi, creators, NFT traders, gamers)
- Launch early, improve fast, and share your process publicly
- Invest in storytelling, content, and creator partnerships to reach beyond the tech community
Conclusion
The growth of Odin Fun is not accidental. It’s the result of smart decisions, targeted execution, and a willingness to build for real people with real needs. The tools are here. The infrastructure is in place. The communities are waiting.
If you’re building on ICP, you’re already ahead of the curve. But if you want to scale, follow what works, serve a clear need, speak the language of your users, and build in a way that welcomes everyone, not just the familiar.
The Internet Computer isn’t here to replace other chains. It’s here to connect them and give you the tools to build faster, smarter, and at scale.