BitVM Bridge Mainnet Beta: Ushering in a New Era of Trust-Minimized BTCFi
On July 16, 2025, Bitlayer launched the BitVM Bridge Mainnet Beta, marking the first live deployment of the BitVM concept. This trust-minimized bridge allows Bitcoin holders to lock their BTC into smart contracts and mint YBTC a token pegged 1:1 to BTC enabling use in DeFi without depending on centralized custodians.
Built on the BitVM smart contract framework, the bridge incorporates fraud proofs and optimistic verification, which ensure any malicious behavior can be detected, challenged, and penalized within a transparent environment.
After extensive testing on Bitcoin Testnet3 and BitVMNet, Bitlayer enhanced the system’s performance and stability, leading to the successful Mainnet Beta release.
Looking ahead, Bitlayer aims to broaden asset compatibility, integrate more blockchains, and strengthen governance via audit reports, bug bounty programs, open source contributions, and a dedicated security committee.
This launch signifies Bitlayer’s shift from concept to practical application establishing a secure, verifiable, and decentralized infrastructure for Bitcoin-based DeFi.
