Bitcoin DeFi is Stuck at 0.3% - While a $750 Billion Opportunity Waits#

Despite Bitcoin being the world’s largest digital asset with over 300 million users globally, less than 0.3% of Bitcoin’s market cap is actually used in DeFi. Compare that to Ethereum, where 30% of its market cap flows through DeFi protocols. That’s a staggering 100x difference, representing roughly $750 billion in untapped capital sitting idle.

The problem isn’t lack of interest. Institutions want Bitcoin yield. Chains want Bitcoin liquidity. Users want to earn with their Bitcoin. But accessing Bitcoin DeFi has been painfully complex, requiring multiple bridges, custodians, and technical know-how that keeps most users locked out.

BOB Unlocks Bitcoin DeFi in Just One Click#

BOB is breaking down every barrier between Bitcoin and DeFi. As the first Hybrid Chain, BOB fuses Bitcoin’s unmatched security with Ethereum’s DeFi innovation, creating the safest and easiest way to put your Bitcoin to work. With over $229 million in TVL, 546,000+ users, and 39 million transactions, BOB has become the premier destination for Bitcoin liquidity and applications.

What is BOB (Build on Bitcoin)?#

What does BOB (Build on Bitcoin) do?#

🌉 Hybrid Chain Architecture: BOB operates as the world’s first Hybrid Chain, combining ZK proofs and Bitcoin staking to create native bridges to both Ethereum and Bitcoin. Through its unique hybrid rollup design built on the OP Stack, BOB inherits security from Bitcoin while maintaining full EVM compatibility. This means Bitcoin becomes the trust anchor for all cross-chain operations, eliminating reliance on third-party bridges.

⚡ BOB Gateway - 1-Click Bitcoin Access: BOB Gateway revolutionizes Bitcoin DeFi with true one-click access across 11+ major chains including Ethereum, Base, Avalanche, BSC, and more. Users can swap Bitcoin into any asset or deposit directly into DeFi protocols without holding any ETH or navigating complex bridges. The Gateway uses Bitcoin intents and LayerZero’s omnichain protocol to enable seamless cross-chain swaps while maintaining Bitcoin-level security.

🔐 BitVM Bridge - Native Bitcoin Without Custodians: BOB co-authored the BitVM2 paper and is building the industry’s most secure Bitcoin bridge. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on multisigs or honest majorities, BitVM uses Bitcoin’s own consensus to verify transactions through fraud proofs. BTC on BOB is just BTC - no wrappers, no custodians, powered by a 1-of-n security model where funds cannot be stolen as long as a single honest node exists in the network.

💰 Bitcoin Staking and Hybrid Vaults: Through partnerships with Babylon, Solv Protocol, and leading DeFi protocols, BOB offers the best tokenized Bitcoin yields packaged as 1-click strategies. Users can stake their Bitcoin through BOB Earn, receiving liquid staking tokens while participating in Bitcoin’s security. The hybrid vault layer is secured by institutional curators and custodians, providing institutional-grade safety for retail users.

🏗️ EVM-Compatible Bitcoin L2: Built on the OP Stack, BOB provides developers with familiar Ethereum tooling while adding Bitcoin-specific capabilities. The chain supports full smart contract functionality, sub-second transactions, and significantly lower fees than Bitcoin or Ethereum mainnet. With integrations from Uniswap, Chainlink, Aave, Euler, and 120+ projects, BOB has built the most comprehensive Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem.

📊 Institutional Infrastructure: BOB partnered with Anchorage Digital, Fireblocks, Cobo, and other institutional players to provide compliant, secure pathways for institutions to participate in Bitcoin DeFi. The platform offers institutional-grade custody, compliance tools, and the trust-minimized infrastructure that traditional finance demands when entering crypto markets.

Who are behind BOB (Build on Bitcoin)?#

Alexei Zamyatin, Co-Founder

• Former Research Scientist at Imperial College London with PhD in blockchain interoperability
• Lead author of BitVM2 paper and recipient of the 2025 Bitcoin Research Prize
• Created XCLAIM framework for cryptocurrency-backed assets
• Published 30+ scientific papers with over 1,000 citations in blockchain security and cross-chain protocols
• Previously founded and led blockchain research initiatives at top academic institutions

Dominik Harz, Co-Founder

• PhD researcher specializing in blockchain security and decentralized finance
• Co-author of BitVM2 and multiple influential papers on stablecoins and DeFi security
• Extensive background in cryptoeconomic system design and protocol verification
• Contributed to foundational research on cryptocurrency bridges and cross-chain communication
• Recognized expert in Bitcoin L2 architectures and trust-minimized bridge designs

Why This Team Inspires Confidence#

World-Class Technical Expertise: The founding team brings unparalleled academic credentials with PhDs from Imperial College London and deep expertise in blockchain interoperability. Their BitVM2 paper represents a breakthrough in Bitcoin programmability, earning the 2025 Bitcoin Research Prize and establishing the foundation for secure Bitcoin L2s. With 30+ published papers and 1,000+ citations, they’ve proven their ability to solve fundamental technical challenges.

Industry-Leading Partnerships: BOB secured backing and integration from crypto’s most respected institutions including Anchorage Digital (custodian), Fireblocks (institutional infrastructure), LayerZero (cross-chain), Chainlink (oracles), and Babylon (Bitcoin staking). The ecosystem includes top-tier DeFi protocols like Uniswap, Aave, and Euler, validating BOB’s technical architecture and market positioning.

Proven Track Record: Since mainnet launch in May 2024, BOB achieved $229M+ in TVL, 546,000+ users, and 39M+ transactions, making it the number one Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem by TVL among BTC sidechains and L2s. The platform processes $1.7B+ in DEX volume and secured over $10M in funding from leading VCs. These metrics demonstrate real product-market fit and user adoption.

Founded bitvm/acc Alliance: BOB founded the bitvm/acc institutional alliance, bringing together BitVM builders, Bitcoin businesses, and Bitcoin institutions to accelerate BitVM adoption. This collaboration with major players like P2P.org, Lombard, Ankr, and others ensures BOB remains at the forefront of Bitcoin L2 development and has the resources to execute its ambitious roadmap.

Transparent Development with Regular Upgrades: The team maintains active communication through 200+ detailed tweets, comprehensive documentation, and regular technical updates. BOB successfully completed major upgrades including Kailua (hybrid ZK rollup), Isthmus, Granite, and Holocene, demonstrating strong execution capability. The platform undergoes rigorous security audits from firms like Veridise, Cure53, and Trail of Bits.

What to Know Before You Buy BOB (Build on Bitcoin)#

1. Native Bitcoin Bridge Coming Q4 2025

BitVM bridge with 1-of-n security model launching Q4 2025 will provide the most secure way to bridge Bitcoin in crypto history. Unlike traditional bridges requiring trust in multisigs or honest majorities, BitVM enables unilateral exit where users can withdraw their BTC as long as Bitcoin consensus is secure and at least one honest node exists. This represents a fundamental security upgrade over wrapped Bitcoin solutions.

2. Multichain Token with CCIP Integration

BOB token deployed on Ethereum, BNB Chain, and BOB Mainnet using Chainlink CCIP for secure cross-chain transfers. The token serves multiple functions including protocol rewards, liquidity incentives, gas subsidies, and ecosystem alignment. With standardized ERC-20 implementation and institutional-grade bridging, BOB token offers seamless interoperability across major DeFi ecosystems.

3. Listed on Binance Alpha

BOB launched on Binance Alpha on November 20, 2025, providing immediate liquidity and access for millions of users worldwide. Binance Alpha is Binance’s platform for listing promising early-stage crypto projects with high growth potential, offering users early access to innovative tokens before they reach wider markets. This listing validates BOB’s technology and market opportunity.

4. Hybrid ZK Rollup with Kailua

BOB upgraded to hybrid ZK rollup using Kailua technology, combining optimistic rollup efficiency with zero-knowledge proof security. Users can choose between cost-optimized standard mode (4-day finality) or speed-optimized validity proof mode (1-hour finality when proofs are submitted). This flexibility allows users to optimize for either cost or speed based on their specific needs.

5. Largest Bitcoin DeFi Ecosystem

BOB leads all Bitcoin sidechains and L2s in Total Value Locked with $229M+, supporting 120+ projects building Bitcoin DeFi applications. The ecosystem includes leading protocols like Uniswap, Aave, Euler, Solv, and Babylon, providing users with comprehensive DeFi services from trading and lending to staking and yield farming, all secured by Bitcoin’s consensus.

6. One-Click Bitcoin Staking

BOB Earn provides the simplest path to Bitcoin yield, allowing users to stake BTC in a single transaction without holding any ETH for gas. Through integrations with Babylon, Solv, Bedrock, and other staking providers, users receive liquid staking tokens while earning yield from Bitcoin security. The platform handles all technical complexity in the background.

7. Institutional-Grade Security

BOB implements multiple security layers including Ethereum finality, Bitcoin checkpointing, and billions in staked BTC securing transactions. The platform undergoes continuous security audits, maintains bug bounty programs up to $250,000, and partners with Anchorage Digital and Fireblocks for institutional custody. All major contracts are verified and auditable on-chain.

8. Active Development Roadmap

The team maintains an aggressive development schedule with BitVM mainnet launch planned for Q4 2025, followed by Bitcoin finality integration, hybrid staking, and expansion of Gateway to support more chains and strategies. Regular upgrades demonstrate the team’s technical capability and commitment to building the premier Bitcoin DeFi platform.

How to buy BOB (Build on Bitcoin)?#

BOB can be purchased directly on Binance, as it is listed in the Binance Alpha section. Binance Alpha showcases promising early-stage crypto projects with high growth potential, giving users early access to innovative tokens. To buy BOB on Binance, you’ll need to have USDT or USDC in your Binance account, which you can obtain by depositing fiat currency or transferring crypto from another wallet.

Buy BOB on Binance

Binance is one of the world’s largest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, offering high liquidity, competitive fees, and robust security features for trading BOB and other digital assets.

You can also trade BOB on GMGN, which supports both Ethereum and BSC networks where BOB is deployed. GMGN provides a decentralized trading experience with real-time charts, wallet integration, and seamless cross-chain swapping capabilities.

Buy BOB on GMGN (Ethereum)

Buy BOB on GMGN (BSC)