My understanding is that there is a way to implement IBC on chains that are not Cosmos, without needing to adopt the Cosmos SDK. IBC is a module, and can be added to most POS chains. POW would be a different thing, requiring pegging and bridges and so on, but for HIVE it should work without needing a "parent-child" type relationship. I do know it would require extensive Dev time to implement it, and require a HF if done on the base layer.

I don't know if it could be used for layer 2 solutions - beyond my simple mind to figure that out.

I am not technical, most of the detail is over my head so I could have that understanding completely wrong - I dunno.

I just like spit-balling big picture ideas every now and then - none of them have been picked up and implemented so far so...