Bitcoin is the world’s most valuable crypto asset, but using BTC in DeFi has always been challenging. Since Bitcoin exists on its own blockchain, it can’t natively interact with smart contract platforms like Ethereum or Base.
That’s where tBTC comes in.
tBTC is a Bitcoin-backed token that allows BTC holders to use their Bitcoin in DeFi — without relying on centralized intermediaries. Every 1 tBTC is fully backed by 1 BTC and secured by a decentralized network of independent operators, ensuring no single entity controls your Bitcoin.
Now, thanks to Threshold Network, minting tBTC directly on Base is simpler and more seamless than ever before. Previously, users had to mint tBTC on Ethereum first, then bridge it to Base—but now, with native tBTC minting, BTC holders can move onchain in a single flow, unlocking lending, trading, and yield opportunities across Base’s thriving DeFi ecosystem.
BitcoinFi Scales with Base
Base is a secure, low-cost, builder-friendly Ethereum L2 designed to help bring a billion users and a million developers onchain. Built on Optimism’s OP Stack, Base uses optimistic rollups to process transactions efficiently while posting data to Ethereum for security and finality. This means faster speeds, lower costs, and a seamless experience for Bitcoin holders entering DeFi.
With over $3 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL) and more than 10 million daily transactions recorded in January 2025, Base is quickly becoming a major hub for onchain activity. Expanding Bitcoin’s role in DeFi is a key part of Base’s mission to make onchain finance accessible, scalable, and seamless for everyone.
Expanding Bitcoin’s Utility with Base
Bitcoin is the most secure and valuable asset in crypto, but using BTC in DeFi has historically been limited. Now, with tBTC and cbBTC on Base, Bitcoin holders have new ways to provide liquidity, borrow, lend, and trade derivatives — without selling their BTC.
Unlike custodial alternatives, tBTC is fully backed 1:1 by Bitcoin and secured by a decentralized network of independent operators, ensuring no single entity controls your BTC. This censorship-resistant, permissionless design aligns with Bitcoin’s core ethos, offering BTC holders a decentralized gateway into DeFi.
With Base’s low fees, fast transactions, and growing DeFi integrations, Bitcoiners now have a more efficient way to put BTC to work onchain, tapping into an expanding ecosystem of opportunities across DeFi applications.
Why tBTC?
tBTC is fully backed 1:1 by Bitcoin and secured by a globally distributed network of independent operators, ensuring decentralization and permissionless access. Anyone can redeem tBTC for Bitcoin, preserving BTC’s core values while making it usable in DeFi.
Whether you’re bringing BTC onchain for the first time or already exploring BTC in DeFi, tBTC offers a trust-minimized, censorship-resistant way to engage with DeFi on Base.
Where Can You Use tBTC on Base?
Once you’ve minted tBTC to Base, there’s a growing list of ways to put your Bitcoin to work across the chain’s top DeFi apps:
- Provide liquidity on Aerodrome (DEX)
- Borrow and lend using Moonwell (Lending)
- Trade perpetuals on Synthetix
- Maximize yield with Beefy Finance (Yield Optimizer)
You can also explore the full list of tBTC opportunities on Base via DeFiLlama.
Want to learn more about how these Base integrations work? Join us for a live X Space on Tuesday, March 18, at 10 AM CT (15:00 UTC) with the teams behind these DeFi integrations to discuss how you can maximize your Bitcoin on Base.
Ready to Mint tBTC on Base?
With simplified minting, low fees, and deep integrations across Base’s top DeFi apps, there’s never been a better time to bring your Bitcoin to Base with tBTC.
