Here we report on the progress of the leading builders in the zkBitcoin ecosystem, documenting recent significant releases, technical breakthroughs and general updates
@Starknet has officially reached Stage 1 as a fully decentralized zkRollup, strengthening its security and integrity: https://x.com/Starknet/status/1922990242035814424…They also announced plans to introduce Bitcoin staking by Q3 2025. The update aims to offer Bitcoin holders sustainable rewards while enhancing Starknet’s security. It also provides developers with additional tools at a low cost: https://x.com/Starknet/status/1916862601818001551…
@StarkWareLtd presented new research on ColliderVM (https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/591), a new protocol that enables stateful computation on Bitcoin without relying on fraud proofs, allowing developers to build trust-minimized bridges to L2 networks like Starknet. Using hash collision puzzles, it improves capital efficiency and simplifies user interactions. While still early and computationally demanding, it eliminates collateral requirements and external watchers, introducing a promising direction for Bitcoin scalability: https://x.com/StarkWareLtd/status/1910317361317793854…
There have also been details shared of several new partnerships, including:
• @atomiqlabs: enabling trustless Bitcoin-to-wBTC swaps on Starknet with zero slippage and minimal risk. In partnership with @myBraavos wallet, this integration simplifies Bitcoin access to Starknet DeFi, including fee-free bridging and yield opportunities: https://starknet.io/blog/atomiq-wbtc-on-starknet/…
• @garden_finance: launching a direct BTC bridge to Starknet with fast execution, low fees, and support for multiple assets. Users can easily move Bitcoin and other tokens from major chains to Starknet in a single click: https://starknet.io/blog/introducing-garden-on-starknet-a-direct-path-for-btc-bridging/…
• @Lombard_Finance: integrating LBTC, a liquid-staked Bitcoin asset, into Starknet. This unlocks Bitcoin liquidity for lending, trading, and DeFi participation, advancing Starknet’s vision of unifying Bitcoin and @ethereum on a single execution layer: https://starknet.io/blog/lombard-brings-bitcoin-to-starknet-through-lbtc-integration/…
@build_on_bob has launched the Isthmus upgrade, bringing the latest @ethereum Pectra features to its users. Transactions are now cheaper, wallets offer improved functionality, and security is enhanced. No user action is needed - new benefits activate automatically as apps update. Key features include batch transactions, dapps paying gas fees, and smart account functionality through EIP-7702, allowing regular wallets to perform advanced operations while keeping the same familiar BOB address: https://blog.gobob.xyz/posts/isthmus-upgrade-live-bob…
BOB has also revealed a series of new partnerships, including:
• @eoracle_network: providing secure, real-time data feeds backed by $6B in staked security and 140 validators, supporting projects like @LayerBankFi, already utilizing eOracle on BOB: https://x.com/build_on_bob/status/1912144885001687286…
• @eulerfinance: enabling BTC-based lending, borrowing, and looping strategies on BOB through its modular lending protocol, giving users access to higher yield opportunities with additional BOB Rise incentives: https://blog.gobob.xyz/posts/what-is-euler-defi…
• @InterportFi: unlocking seamless bridging of $uniBTC between Ethereum Mainnet and BOB using @chainlink’s CCIP technology, combining Bitcoin security with Ethereum flexibility: https://x.com/build_on_bob/status/1915730764399813062…
• @thirdweb: simplifying development on BOB with access to dev tools, pre-built contracts, and the Universal Bridge for easy user onboarding from any chain or even via credit card: https://x.com/build_on_bob/status/1919361451149627668
@GOATRollup has launched the first permissionless BitVM2 testnet, advancing efforts to bring native Bitcoin security without requiring a hard fork. BitVM2 verifies off-chain computations with improved capital efficiency and faster challenge periods, reduced from 14 days to less than one. GOAT BitVM2 also introduces solutions for double-spending and incentives.
The testnet is open-source, and GOAT Network invites the community to participate as challengers: https://goat.network/blog/goat-network-launches-bitvm2-testnet-marking-huge-step-toward-native-bitcoin-security…
The team also has published the GOAT BitVM2 whitepaper, introducing a solution that reduces Bitcoin rollup dispute times from 14 days to less than one.
The design combines zkMIPS proofs, a decentralized sequencer, and an incentive-aligned challenge system. This improves security, speeds up dispute resolution, and encourages participation.
GOAT BitVM2 aims to bring practical, native Bitcoin security to rollups, addressing key limitations faced by current Bitcoin scaling efforts: https://x.com/GOATRollup/status/1920116473248506026…
Dr. Redouane Elkamhi, Chief Economist at GOAT Network, gave a captivating talk at The @boundless_xyzHouse of ZK event during Hong Kong @festival_web3, explaining why Bitcoin security is not just a technical challenge but also an economic one.
He described a BitVM2-based model where consolidating operator roles and aligning incentives make decentralization economically viable: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1910753190687252495…
Dr. Elkamhi also gave a recent interview elucidating on how GOAT Network allows users to delegate Bitcoin to sequencers and earn rewards in Bitcoin and GOAT tokens.
The platform promotes decentralization by rewarding on-chain activity, encouraging user participation, and securing the network.
With Bitcoin seen as digital gold, adding yield opportunities could drive even greater adoption among investors and institutions: https://blockster.com/yield-not-just-hodl-goat-networks-next-chapter-for-bitcoin-with-dr-redouane-elkamhi
@citrea_xyz has launched the Tangerine upgrade, marking a major milestone with full BitVM activation on the Clementine testnet. This upgrade enables programmable Bitcoin bridges, enhanced by a new light client design and more efficient capital use. Tangerine also improves proving performance, expands signature support, raises block gas limits, and rewrites core systems for security, scalability, and developer experience, pushing Citrea closer to mainnet readiness: https://blog.citrea.xyz/tangerine-upgrade-bitvm-activation-on-clementine/…
The team also released the Clementine whitepaper, outlining a new Bitcoin bridge that is secure, scalable, and minimizes trust. The bridge uses BitVM2, ZKPs, and Citrea’s Bitcoin light client to let users exit the rollup and reclaim BTC efficiently. It enables low-collateral operations and multi-peg-out scalability while securing Bitcoin’s programmable use: https://x.com/citrea_xyz/status/1912904130730787183…
n a recent article, @yilmaz_btc, Devrel of Citrea, explains how Bitcoin apps - ₿apps - are finally positioned to capture value.
Unlike earlier efforts to scale Bitcoin, zkRollups now bring trust-minimized programmability to Bitcoin without changing its base layer. This unlocks DeFi, stablecoins, money markets, and more, using Bitcoin’s unmatched liquidity and security. With developer tools ready and user demand growing, Bitcoin’s idle capital may finally power the next generation of decentralized apps: https://x.com/yilmaz_btc/status/1919432356508664059…
Citrea also announced multiple new partnerships, including:
• @routescan_io: providing Citrea users with a multichain explorer featuring unified network coverage, full access to transaction history, transaction receipts, and enhanced chart: https://x.com/citrea_xyz/status/1920110747784454521…
• @dynamic_xyz: supporting user onboarding for Bitcoin ₿app developers on Citrea, making it easier to bring users from any platform to Bitcoin-powered applications: https://x.com/citrea_xyz/status/1922269492899676348…
• @ProjectZeroIO: enabling real-time data streaming and API access for Citrea builders, improving dApp development, DeFi analytics, and AI agent performance: https://x.com/ProjectZeroIO/status/1922607915619524760
@AlpenLabs shared an article explaining how Bitcoin-backed stablecoins, like the proposed Bitcoin Dollar (BTD), could connect Bitcoin’s principles with global dollar demand.
Built on Alpen’s Bitcoin ZK Rollups and @LiquityProtocol V2, BTD aims to offer dollar stability without governance tokens or centralized control. While relying on external oracles introduces some trust, BTD represents a censorship-resistant, non-custodial stablecoin designed to strengthen Bitcoin’s long-term role in global finance: https://alpenlabs.io/blog/bitcoin-dollar
@babylonlabs_io has officially launched Babylon Genesis, the first L1 blockchain secured by Bitcoin.
The platform introduces a Bitcoin staking protocol designed to serve as a key infrastructure layer, aiming to bring more utility to idle Bitcoin and strengthen the decentralized economy across the web3 ecosystem: https://x.com/babylonlabs_io/status/1910271642892210521…
In addition, The Babylon Phase-2 mainnet has successfully launched, enabling trustless Bitcoin staking. Over 50,000 BTC have already been staked to secure Babylon Genesis, now one of the most secure L1 blockchains by market cap.
The team will focus on expanding Bitcoin staking, integrating new networks, and boosting ecosystem growth. This milestone positions Babylon Genesis to unlock Bitcoin’s liquidity and support broader decentralized application development: https://babylonlabs.io/blog/phase-2-launch-round-up---bitcoin-staking-activated-babylon-genesis-marches-towards-the-next-phase…
In a move to expand cross-chain utility, Babylon’s Bitcoin staking protocol will integrate with @SuiNetwork later this year, making Sui a Bitcoin Supercharged Network.
This allows Bitcoin holders to secure Sui by staking BTC without losing custody. The integration boosts Sui’s security, liquidity, and cross-chain capabilities, enabling Bitcoin capital to power DeFi on Sui while introducing Bitcoin-backed scalability to the network: https://babylonlabs.io/blog/sui-to-become-a-bitcoin-secured-network…
Strengthening user protection and security, Babylon is supporting @NexusMutual in developing slashing protection for the Babylon Bitcoin staking protocol.
With over 45,000 BTC staked, the protocol helps users earn rewards without giving up custody.
The collaboration addresses risks like slashing and exploits, aiming to build trust and encourage safer, broader participation in Bitcoin staking: https://babylonlabs.io/blog/expanding-bitcoin-staking-protection-babylon-labs-supports-nexus-mutual-cover-development
@BitlayerLabs has integrated its BitVM Bridge with the @monad_xyz Testnet, allowing users to bridge Bitcoin (vBTC) from BitVMNet to Monad and mint YBTC.
Users can also bridge YBTC back to BitVMNet. Monad, with over 9.8 million users and 600 million transactions, now supports this cross-ecosystem Bitcoin bridging functionality: https://medium.com/@Bitlayer/bitlayer-bitvm-bridge-integrates-monad-testnet-unlocking-new-experiences-for-millions-of-users-bb342d629ed3…
In addition, they have announced a partnership with @SundialProtocol, a leading L2 solution in the @Cardano_CF ecosystem.
Together, they are developing the BitVM bridge to enable secure, trustless liquidity transfers between Bitcoin and Cardano. This move expands Bitcoin access for Cardano users and strengthens interaction between the two ecosystems, unlocking new opportunities for DeFi apps: https://medium.com/@Bitlayer/cardano-joins-btcfi-frontier-bitlayer-sundial-forge-bitvm-bridge-via-strategic-partnerships-dc90fa1186cb…
Bitlayer also has teamed up with @ChainbaseHQ, a major data infrastructure platform for AI. The collaboration will integrate real-time data with BitVM Bridge technology to support Bitcoin DeFi development: https://x.com/BitlayerLabs/status/1915724088728752177
@MapProtocol has announced the launch of interoperability between @solana and Bitcoin. Users can now carry out decentralized SOL-BTC transactions using applications like Cross-chain Swap.
MAP Protocol connects blockchains such as @ethereum, Solana, and @BNBCHAIN using peer-to-peer technology. It relies on ZKPs and light clients to ensure secure, efficient, and trustless cross-chain transfers without third-party involvement: https://x.com/MapProtocol/status/1920868765518225727…
Additionally, MAP Protocol’s peer-reviewed paper on trustless, scalable cross-chain communication has been published in the @ACMDL.
This recognition highlights the protocol’s technical strength and real-world adoption, with over 580,000 cross-chain transactions and $910 million transferred. MAP’s unified relay chain architecture lowers costs and enhances blockchain interoperability across 18+ major public networks: https://medium.com/@mapprotocolofficial/map-protocol-a-full-chain-interoperability-infrastructure-listed-in-the-acm-digital-library-a-f6558d8df2ee
@BTC_OS has demonstrated the first bridgeless Bitcoin transfer between Bitcoin and @Cardano, working with @SundialProtocol and @adahandle. Using their new unchained token standard and BitSNARK protocol, they locked BTC, minted xBTC, and moved it directly to Cardano without intermediaries. The token was transferred between wallets on both networks and successfully redeemed as BTC again. BitcoinOS will publish the full whitepaper on May 22, detailing this new cross-chain asset technology: https://x.com/BTC_OS/status/1919376592146674001…
The project also announced two new partnerships:
• @SovrynBTC: collaborating on the development of the Grail bridge, with Sovryn leading front-end work, expanding backend services, and supporting multi-chain deployments: https://x.com/BTC_OS/status/1910329700364284035…
• @cherrytgbot: introducing AI-powered growth tools to the Bitcoin ecosystem, enabling new user engagement experiences powered by $Cherry bots and $BOS: https://x.com/BTC_OS/status/1913234535203959114
@layeredge has introduced edgenOS, a people-powered blockchain verification system secured by everyday users.
Through a browser extension or desktop app, participants perform small verification tasks and earn rewards. This eliminates the need for expensive equipment and energy-heavy mining.
edgenOS distributes verification globally, making security accessible to millions, while anchoring verified results to major blockchains like Bitcoin for added trust: https://blog.layeredge.io/introducing-edgenos-770b901ac374…
The project also announced an update to its whitepaper and documentation: https://x.com/layeredge/status/1914301338466357341
@AlpacaYovela, Co-founder of @fiamma_labs, took part in the ZK/AI Summit at @token2049 - an event organized by @lagrangedev and House of ZK: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1916848280740286820…
Yovela joined @ericnakagawa of @selfprotocol, @_grieve of @gensynai, and @kashviETH of @RiscZero to discuss how ZKPs, on-chain attestations, and decentralized timestamping can help restore trust in the age of rapidly advancing generative artificial intelligence. Timestamp - 06:28:26: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1rmGPybnanmJN…
Yovela's presentation from @Zk_Hub_Global was also recently published, where she explained how BitVM is transforming Bitcoin into a trustless settlement layer - enabling native bridges, unlocking network security potential, and advancing cross-chain infrastructure without centralized custody: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1922559548365152368…
Look out for the upcoming @HouseofZK Radio podcast release and other collaborations with Fiamma
@nubit_org announced the official launch of Bitcoin Thunderbolt, introducing a native upgrade to Bitcoin’s base layer.
Using UTXO Bundling and OP_CAT, it brings instant transactions and onchain programmability. Access requires rare Boosting codes, coordinated by Nubit and partners. Verified users can send, receive, and bundle Bitcoin instantly, with more updates coming soon: https://medium.com/nubit-official/bitcoin-thunderbolt-is-live-a-native-upgrade-to-the-bitcoin-network-7b84039b3acb…
Nubit also released the Bitcoin Thunderbolt Paper which presents a formally verified off-chain protocol for Bitcoin UTXO transfers. Unlike payment channels or the Lightning Network, it enables secure, asynchronous transfers without requiring prior interaction or continuous connectivity. The design uses a Byzantine fault-tolerant committee and tweakable Schnorr signatures to manage ownership. Formal analysis using the Tamarin prover confirms security properties like unforgeability and liveness, aiming to improve Bitcoin’s usability in decentralized applications: https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/709
@fractal_bitcoin’s security has reached new levels as @FoundryServices begins merged mining, joining top mining pools to secure over 93% of Bitcoin’s hashrate: https://fractalbitcoin.io/updates/foundry-begins-merged-mining-fractal…
Fractal’s Cadence Mining model allows miners to earn more without added energy use. This strengthens Bitcoin’s ecosystem by enabling secure development of new apps while preserving Bitcoin’s original design.
@robin_linus, Co-founder of @ZeroSync_, outlined how combining CTV and CSFS can make BitVM bridges safer and more efficient: https://delvingbitcoin.org/t/how-ctv-csfs-improves-bitvm-bridges/1591…
The new design removes the need for a presigning committee and lowers capital costs by reducing transaction sizes. While some challenges remain, like improving peg-in processes, Robin claims these changes bring unconditional deposit safety and better scalability, making BitVM bridges more practical for decentralized Bitcoin interoperability.
You can catch Robin at the upcoming Bitcoin Economy Conference in Las Vegas, hosted by @HouseofZK: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1922663507301998834
Join us at The Bitcoin Economy Conference on May 28 in Las Vegas (@TheBitcoinConf), where the most forward-thinking builders and economists in the space will chart Bitcoin’s next chapter: https://x.com/HouseofZK/status/1922663507301998834…
