Bcache can’t differentiate between data and metadata on the cache drive (it’s block level caching), so if something happens to a write-back cache device you lose data, and possibly the entire array. I wouldn’t use bcache (or zfs caching) without mirrored devices personally to ensure resiliency of the array. I don’t know if zfs is smarter - presumably is can be because it’s in control of the raw disks, I just didn’t want to deal with modules.
For your second scenario - yes you can use md under bcache with no issues. It becomes more to configure but once set up has been solid. I actually do md/raid1 - luks - bcache - btrfs layers for the SSD cache disks, where the data drives just use luks - bcache - btrfs. Keep in mind that with bcache if you lose a cache disk you can’t mount - and of course if you’re doing write-back caching then the array is also lost. With write-through caching you can force disconnect the cache disk and mount the disks.
Not sure what you mean by this - Nabu Casa has a Zwave device already called ZWA-2 which is fully supported.