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The bitcoin liquid staking protocol space is expanding rapidly, as the technical developments around bitcoin have more generally been happening much more quickly over the past couple of years.
Liquid staking protocols, built on top of bitcoin, have only been possible for less than a year, yet there is already an abundance of staking protocols to consider when getting involved in this new arena.
As a quick refresher, a bitcoin liquid staking protocol is a system that allows bitcoin holders to stake their bitcoin in a way that enables them to earn rewards, or yields, while still maintaining access to that underlying liquidity. The bitcoin is usually used to secure a proof-of-stake (PoS) network, although alternative use cases, such as participating in stake-based oracle networks, also exist. Meanwhile, the holder can still access a liquid form of value equivalent to their staked bitcoin in the form of a derivative token.
In addition to enabling bitcoin holders to generate yield at the base layer, liquid staking protocols also allow users to securely move their bitcoin to a Bitcoin Layer 2 network, unlocking bitcoin to be used in more flexible forms of decentralized finance (DeFi). Much like any of the other categories of DeFi protocols, different liquid staking protocols on bitcoin tend to focus on different niche features and attributes that set them apart from other options on the market. Additionally, many of the liquid staking protocols on bitcoin were empowered by the creation of Babylon, which is a protocol for handling bitcoin staking protocols at the base bitcoin blockchain layer.
Some of the most prominent platforms for bitcoin liquid staking right now are Lorenzo Protocol, Bedrock, Botanix, pSTAKE Finance, and UTXO Stack, but more are popping up every day. Let’s take a closer look at what each one of these bitcoin staking solutions has to offer and how they differ from each other.
Lorenzo Protocol
Key Features
- Liquid staking tokens split into yield-accrual tokens and liquid principal tokens
- Enables loop and leveraged staking
- Currently focused on Babylon but can also integrate with other premium bitcoin staking projects
- Simple and easy-to-understand staking process through bitcoin liquid staking plans offered by specialized providers
- No staking minimum
- Already launched
Lorenzo Protocol is intended to serve as the primary layer for bitcoin liquidity finance, facilitating the growing global demand for bitcoin through innovative Bitcoin Layer 2 networks that bring DeFi capabilities to the world’s most popular and trusted cryptocurrency. Through Babylon’s bitcoin shared security protocol, Lorenzo enables staking bitcoin liquidity into proof-of-stake chains in exchange for yield.
Lorenzo also takes Babylon’s capabilities multiple steps further by creating an efficient market for bitcoin holders to find optimal investment opportunities for their unused bitcoin liquidity via its Bitcoin Liquid Staking Plans (BLSPs), where project projects can outline the use of staked bitcoin and the associated rewards for stakers. Each BLSP details the rules and rewards for staking, with a fixed staking cycle for consistency.
Additionally, Lorenzo tokenizes staked bitcoin into liquid principal tokens (LPTs), which represent the right to reclaim the staked bitcoin principal, and yield-accruing tokens (YATs), which represent the yield accrued by that staked bitcoin collateral. This allows users to easily separate their base bitcoin collateral from the yield that it generates when using that liquidity in various DeFi applications.
The tokenization of staked bitcoin into separate LPT and YAT tokens also enables loop and leverage staking. Loop Staking leverages external DEX partnerships to allow users to stake BTC, borrow additional BTC, and amplify their staking rewards. Leveraged Staking simplifies the process by providing internal liquidity, allowing users to apply maximum leverage with a single click. Both products are designed to enhance capital efficiency and optimize staking yields.
While liquid staking for bitcoin is still a new concept, Lorenzo is one of the few offerings that is already live today, at least in a basic form. Additionally, there is no minimum staking amount involved with Lorenzo, as user funds are pooled together in an effort to democratize access to the bitcoin staking process.
While Lorenzo is currently focused on Babylon, it can technically integrate with any other bitcoin staking project that emerges.
Bedrock
Key Features
- Offers staking for BTC, ETH, and IOTX
- Bitcoin integration limited to two ERC-20 tokens issued on the Ethereum network
- Use of Wrapped Bitcoin instead of native bitcoin introduces a high degree of centralization
- Liquid restaking tokens do not separate the principal deposit and the yield
- Uses Babylon
Bedrock is a multi-asset liquid restaking protocol developed in collaboration with blockchain infrastructure company RockX. Backers of the project include Babylon co-founder Fisher Yu, IoTeX founder Raullen Chai, and OKX Ventures.
Instead of only focusing on bitcoin, Bedrock also allows users to restake ETH and IOTX (the native token of IoTeX). Notably, the bitcoin integration is limited to users of Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) and FBTC, which are bitcoin-backed ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum. wBTC is restaked through Bedrock’s uniBTC protocol via a partnership with Babylon. This integration allows wBTC and FBTC holders to earn staking rewards on the Ethereum network; however, it should be noted that wBTC is a highly centralized asset, as BitGo is its sole custodian.
Bedrock’s suite of products includes liquid restaking tokens (LRTs) for wBTC, ETH, and IOTX. Utilizing the universal (uni) standard, Bedrock maximizes liquidity and value for these PoS tokens through its uniBTC, uniETH, and uniIOTX offerings. This universal token model ensures that staked PoS tokens in Bedrock represent not only the principal assets but also all future staking rewards. The nonrebasing nature of uniTokens means their value increases over time, rather than their quantity, allowing holders to benefit from the growing value of each token alongside additional points from EigenLayer and Bedrock’s reward systems.
pSTAKE Finance
Key Features
- Backed by Binance Labs
- Built on Babylon
- Bitcoin cannot currently be unstaked
- 50 bitcoin deposit cap
- Liquid staking tokens will be available on Ethereum in September 2024
- Will add the ability to stake wBTC
- Has its own native token, known as PSTAKE
pSTAKE Finance is a bitcoin yield and liquid staking protocol supported by Binance Labs and built on Babylon. The protocol is live today and includes a 50 bitcoin maximum stake. However, pSTAKE Finance stakers cannot currently unstake or withdraw their bitcoin in this current, first version of the protocol. Additionally, the liquid staking aspect of the protocol is not live, but pSTAKE Finance plans to offer LSTs on Ethereum starting in September 2024.
Much like Lorenzo Protocol and Bedrock, the pSTAKE Finance platform enables users to deposit their bitcoin and contribute to the security of various app chains, earning rewards through the Babylon bitcoin staking protocol. As these PoS chains begin utilizing bitcoin for security, pSTAKE will manage and distribute these yields to users.
Looking ahead, pSTAKE Finance plans to introduce their V2, which is when the yBTC LST will be launched on Ethereum. This new token aims to provide auto-compounded bitcoin yields and will eventually be integrated into major DeFi ecosystems across various blockchains. The protocol is committed to expanding its yield offerings and making bitcoin more accessible, including options for staking wBTC and other bitcoin derivatives.
Additionally, pSTAKE Finance is focused on evolving its tokenomics and launching a fully self-custodial bitcoin yield solution, ensuring both security and accessibility for its users. pSTAKE Finance also has its own native governance and incentivization token called PSTAKE.
Swell Network
Key Features
- Non-Custodial Staking: Swell allows users to stake their WBTC directly from their non-custodial wallets, ensuring full control over their assets.
- Yield Generation: swBTC generates yield through restaking protocols such as Symbiotic, EigenLayer, and Karak.
- Liquidity: swBTC can be used as collateral in lending and borrowing protocols
Swell Network, traditionally an Ethereum liquid staking platform, has recently introduced a Bitcoin Liquid Restaking Token called swBTC. This ERC-20 token offers liquidity for users who want to stake their Wrapped Bitcoin in protocols like Symbiotic, EigenLayer, or Karak without locking up their assets. With swBTC, users can earn native yield from restaking platforms while leveraging the token across the DeFi ecosystem.
UTXO Stack
Key Features
- Backed by ABCDE, OKX Ventures, CMS Holdings, and Matrixport
- Sticks to bitcoin’s roots with the UTXO model
- Integrated with the RGB++ protocol
- Also integrated with Nervos Network, so not a bitcoin-only solution
UTXO Stack provides a technical framework for developers to easily issue Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions using the unspent transaction output (UTXO) architecture. Notably, Bitcoin itself differs from most other Layer 1 cryptocurrency networks in that it uses this UTXO-based model, as opposed to the more popular accounts-based setup. The bitcoin liquid staking protocol is backed by notable cryptocurrency investors, including ABCDE, OKX Ventures, CMS Holdings, and Matrixport.
UTXO Stack integrates the RGB++ protocol, enhancing the security of Bitcoin Layer 2 networks through a combination of restaking bitcoin, CKB (the native cryptocurrency of Nervos Network), and Bitcoin L1 assets issued via RGB++. UTXO Stack is attempting to be the “OP Stack + EigenLayer” of the Bitcoin world.
UTXO Stack’s adoption of RGB++ is its most unique property. Unlike many existing solutions that rely heavily on Ethereum’s EVM and bridging mechanisms, UTXO Stack and RGB++ maintain strong ties to the Bitcoin main chain and the UTXO model. RGB++ allows for the issuance and management of assets on Bitcoin, with transactions being executed on Nervos Network and recorded on Bitcoin as commitments. One of the key benefits of this approach is that it enables efficient “transaction folding” to reduce fees. Of course, the integration with Nervos Network will turn off many bitcoin purists.
Nomic
Key Features
- Plans to work with Babylon
- Has an LST called stBTC (which could be confused with Lorenzo’s offering of the same name)
- Has its own native token, known as NOM, which is used to secure its Layer 1 network
- Dual staking will be made available with bitcoin and NOM
- Works within the Cosmos ecosystem
Nomic is a Layer 1 blockchain network that operates within the greater Cosmos ecosystem. Cosmos is intended to create a more unified cryptocurrency ecosystem through interoperability across many blockchains, in addition to offering a viable scaling roadmap that involves the use of separate chains for different, specific use cases.
The Nomic DAO Foundation has plans to incorporate Babylon’s bitcoin staking protocol into its decentralized, non-custodial bitcoin bridge. This integration will introduce an LST known as stBTC, allowing bitcoin holders to benefit from both staking and liquidity. Nomic will enhance its security model with dual-stake support, leveraging both staked bitcoin and its native token, NOM.
By utilizing Babylon’s technology, stBTC will enable bitcoin holders within the Cosmos ecosystem to earn yield while maintaining liquidity for use in inter-blockchain communication (IBC)-compatible DeFi protocols. Nomic’s approach allows real bitcoin to be exchanged for nBTC tokens, which can be freely transferred across IBC-compatible chains. These nBTC tokens are backed by real bitcoin held in a reserve controlled by NOM token holders, who are also the validators of the Nomic chain. Through this system, users can stake nBTC to mint stBTC. Staking rewards will be distributed via IBC interchain account transactions.
stBTC is currently available on testnet, allowing users to explore its features before its official mainnet launch.
PumpBTC
Key Features
- Built on Babylon
- The current version uses WBTC, BTCB, and FBTC on alternative Layer 1 networks
- Partnered with crypto custodians Cobo and Coincover
- Smart contract audit performed by BlockSec
- PumpBTC points for extra rewards
PumpBTC plans to offer a liquid restaking solution through Babylon. Designed to simplify and enhance yield generation for bitcoin holders, PumpBTC allows users to stake their bitcoin and receive liquidity tokens immediately, bypassing the usual waiting periods. Much like other projects on this list, the goal is to bridge the worlds of DeFi and bitcoin, with PumpBTC describing itself as a way to effectively replace WBTC with a native yield-generating form of bitcoin for the DeFi ecosystem across multiple blockchains.
Currently, PumpBTC enables users to deposit their bitcoin for staking via various bitcoin-derivative tokens issued on alternative Layer 1 networks, such as Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain. Additionally, PumpBTC does not handle user funds directly, as this aspect of the protocol is taken care of by custodial partners Cobo and Coincover. While the PumpBTC smart contracts have been audited by blockchain security firm BlockSec, this heavy reliance on multiple layers of third-party custody is likely to turn off many bitcoin purists who prefer to stick to the principles of decentralization and permissionless finance. That said, PumpBTC claims they will eventually add the ability to stake native bitcoin directly in the protocol.
On top of the yield that PumpBTC users can generate on their staked bitcoin via the Babylon integration, users can also gain additional rewards via PumpBTC Points. That said, the exact future utility of these points is unknown at this time. In terms of total rewards, bitcoin stakers can receive their base staking annual percentage yield (APR), Babylon Points, PumpBTC Points, and FBTC Points all on one platform, with even more rewards expected to be added in the future.
Lombard
Key Features
- Backed by notable industry leaders including Franklin Templeton Investments and Polychain Capital
- Built on Babylon
- Current focus on making LBTC the major way bitcoin is used in DeFi
- Lombard Points available on top of Babylon staking rewards
- Backed by the Security Consortium of DeFi industry leaders
- Currently in private beta
Lombard aims to establish a universal standard for bitcoin, supported by aligned ecosystem partners. The key focus of this protocol is to allow yield-bearing bitcoin to seamlessly move across chains without disrupting liquidity, potentially driving significant new, untapped capital into DeFi.
Lombard’s core product, Liquid Bitcoin (LBTC), offers a 1:1 backed, yield-bearing, cross-chain liquid bitcoin, enabling holders to both preserve access to their capital and actively participate in DeFi activities, like staking and trading. Currently in Phase 1 on the Ethereum mainnet, Lombard is conducting a private beta where select users can stake bitcoin and mint LBTC. Phase 2, Lombard will open LBTC to the public with deposit caps and a waitlist to manage demand and reward early participants.
The governance and promotion of LBTC are also backed by the Security Consortium, which is tasked with the goal of heavy integration of the bitcoin token in existing DeFi protocols and blockchains. That said, the specific members of the Security Consortium have not yet been announced by Lombard.
Bitcoin holders can gain access to a range of yields via Lombard, including PoS staking, Lombard rewards, and DeFi opportunities. Other DeFi protocols can also benefit from LBTC through the creation of a new yield-bearing primitive, and destination blockchains can potentially see substantial new liquidity, with billions in bitcoin being integrated into the apps on these DeFi-focused chains.
Lombard’s mission is to position bitcoin not only as a store of value but also as a key player in DeFi, where it can be utilized for earning, staking, trading, and transferring at scale. Their vision sees bitcoin becoming a universal DeFi primitive, serving as optimal collateral across the ecosystem and providing enhanced security to PoS networks with Bitcoin-backed stability.
Solv Protocol
Key Features
- Investors include Binance Labs and Blockchain Capital
- UTXO-3525 enables non-custodial bitcoin swaps across chains
- Issues SolvBTC as a unified bitcoin liquidity asset
- Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain, Botanix, and many other blockchains
- Audited by five separate firms
- Compliance Bridge enables participation from traditional finance
Solv Protocol is aimed at the establishment of a decentralized bitcoin reserve that can be deployed throughout the entire DeFi landscape, which they refer to as “BTCFi.” With their SolvBTC token, there is a focus on unifying bitcoin liquidity into one asset that can be used on all staking and other DeFi applications.
A long list of reputable investors have backed Solv Protocol, including Binance Labs, Blockchain Capital, CMS Holdings, and Bing Ventures. Additionally, the protocol has received five separate security audits from the likes of Quantstamp, CertiK, and others.
From a technical perspective, the three key aspects of Solv are the Liquidity Consensus Network (LCN), UTXO-3525, and the Compliance Bridge. The Liquidity Consensus Network manages the decentralized bitcoin reserve held in the Solv Protocol through transparent, auditable records and cross-chain liquidity management. UTXO-3525 is the protocol used to transfer assets from the base bitcoin blockchain to EVM-compatible blockchains. In addition to native bitcoin, UTXO-3525 can also handle Ordindals, Runes, and other assets issued on top of bitcoin. The Compliance Bridge is used to enable traditional financial institutions to participate in the protocol while also following their regulatory obligations. This includes the ability to tokenize U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds.
Currently, Solv Protocol has two separate LSTs in the form of SolvBTC.BBN for bitcoin staked via Babylon and SolvBTC.ENA for bitcoin staked via Ethena. Additionally, Solv plans to enable bitcoin yield opportunities via Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Botanix, and a number of other blockchains.
Acre
Key Features
- Has a governance token known as ACRE
- Built on top of the tBTC decentralized bitcoin bridge rather than Babylon
- Bitcoin stakers receive the stBTC LST
- Users can also earn Acre Points
- Currently operates on Ethereum
- Planned integration with the Mezo Bitcoin Layer 2 network
As a liquidity layer for Bitcoin Layer 2 networks, Acre offers a bitcoin-in, bitcoin-out staking service. When bitcoin is deposited into Acre, it mints stBTC, an LST that can be redeemed 1:1 for bitcoin. The deposited bitcoin is then invested in various yield-generating strategies across Bitcoin Layer 2 networks and DeFi platforms, with rewards accumulating to the stBTC token. This includes the use of the underlying bitcoin as the proof-of-stake asset that provides security for Bitcoin Layer 2 networks. The stBTC token contract is currently deployed on Ethereum. It is not rebased depending on the yield that it accrues, which means the value of stBTC should increase over time rather than the amount of stBTC held by a user.
Notably, Acre utilizes tBTC — a secure, decentralized bitcoin bridge to Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains. This is in stark contrast to other bitcoin-backed tokens issued on EVM chains, such as WBTC, which are completely centralized. Bitcoin deposits made to Acre via the base blockchain are converted to tBTC before being staked. Endorsed by leading DeFi projects, tBTC plays a crucial role in enabling cross-chain coordination and enhancing the functionality of bitcoin within the Acre system.
Governed by a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), Acre operates under the governance of users holding ACRE tokens.
The State Of Today’s Offerings
In examining the various liquid staking platforms discussed, common themes and distinctions set platforms apart.
Flexibility And Cross-Chain Integration
Most platforms, emphasize cross-chain compatibility, allowing users to interact with multiple blockchain networks. For example, Chakra supports cross-chain liquidity movement, while Lombard enables staking across various networks, increasing users’ opportunities to earn yield. Similarly, Swell introduces restaking capabilities, enabling Wrapped Bitcoin holders to leverage liquidity.
Yield Optimization And Reward Mechanisms
All major platforms are focused on yield generation, but Lorenzo Protocol stands out with its leveraged staking option. It enables users to maximize yield potential by using staked Bitcoin as collateral to borrow additional BTC for further staking. Lombard and Bedrock offer enhanced yield through their partnerships, while PumpBTC incorporates real-time staking transparency and aggregation of points to unlock additional rewards.
BTCFi’s Bright Future
As the bitcoin liquid staking ecosystem rapidly evolves, the landscape presents exciting opportunities and unique features across various protocols.
These innovations allow bitcoin holders to earn yields while maintaining access to their liquidity, opening the door to diverse DeFi applications in the Bitcoin ecosystem. The diversity in liquid staking protocols for bitcoin not only enhances user choice but also stimulates further innovation within the Bitcoin DeFi space.
Looking ahead, the growth of bitcoin liquid staking protocols is set to redefine how bitcoin holders interact with the broader blockchain ecosystem. As these platforms mature and expand, they promise to unlock even greater functionality and accessibility, making bitcoin a more versatile and productive asset.
Since it’s still extremely early days for this space where many of the protocols have yet to launch, it’s vital to track the latest developments in this new realm of bitcoin expansion. That said, the quantity of new projects in this space indicates the future is bright for earning yield through bitcoin staking.