
The Aptos blockchain has welcomed a brand new wrapped Bitcoin asset as OKX launches xBTC – a 1:1 Bitcoin-backed token designed to bridge BTC liquidity into its rising decentralized finance ecosystem. This strategic transfer comes as Bitcoin maintains its $111,000 value degree , with builders in search of new utility for the dominant cryptocurrency.
Beginning Could 22, customers can mint and redeem xBTC straight by OKX’s platform with out charges, then deploy the asset throughout Aptos-native DeFi protocols. The combination positions Aptos as a critical contender within the Bitcoin DeFi (BTCfi) area, which has seen explosive development throughout a number of blockchain networks in 2025.
Aptos Basis studies its ecosystem now holds over $1 billion in complete worth locked (TVL), with wrapped Bitcoin property accounting for practically 35% of that determine. The community’s current BTCfi protocols like Echo Protocol’s aBTC already command $270 million in TVL alone .
OKX’s Strategic Play in Cross-Chain Finance
The Seychelles-based alternate big has positioned xBTC as a cornerstone of its multi-chain enlargement technique. OKX Chief Innovation Officer Jason Lau emphasised their imaginative and prescient to “develop BTC’s utility throughout on-chain ecosystems” by safe, institution-grade wrapped property .
Key options of xBTC embody:
- Month-to-month Proof-of-Reserve audits revealed for transparency
- Chilly storage of collateral by OKX custodial providers
- Direct minting/redeeming on Aptos with out middleman wrappers
Aptos Emerges as Bitcoin DeFi Hub
Constructed utilizing Transfer programming language, Aptos has attracted $1.5 billion in stablecoin liquidity that xBTC holders can now entry. The community’s 30,000+ TPS capability and sub-second finality make it significantly suited to high-frequency DeFi operations .
Aptos Basis’s Head of Ecosystem Ash Pampati famous: “Being one of many first blockchains to help xBTC validates our community’s efficiency and safety structure. This integration creates new liquidity channels between conventional and decentralized finance markets” .
Bitcoin’s Evolving Position in DeFi
The xBTC launch coincides with Bitcoin’s renewed institutional curiosity, as evidenced by OKX reporting 42% development in BTC collateralized merchandise year-to-date. Market analysts recommend wrapped Bitcoin property may seize 15-20% of BTC’s circulating provide by 2026.
Present BTCfi panorama on Aptos:
Asset | Protocol | TVL |
---|---|---|
xBTC | OKX | $TBD |
aBTC | Echo Protocol | $270M |
sBTC | Stakestone | $90M |
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The xBTC integration considerably enhances Aptos’ place within the aggressive layer-1 panorama whereas offering Bitcoin holders new yield alternatives. As DeFi continues absorbing Bitcoin liquidity, infrastructure tasks providing safe bridging options like OKX’s xBTC are poised to seize substantial market share.
- xBTC
- A wrapped Bitcoin token 1:1 collateralized by BTC reserves held in OKX custody, enabling Bitcoin use in non-native blockchain ecosystems.
- TVL (Whole Worth Locked)
- A metric measuring the entire property deposited in a DeFi protocol or blockchain ecosystem, typically used to gauge community exercise and adoption.
- Proof of Reserves
- An auditing methodology the place custodians publicly confirm they maintain enough collateral to again all issued tokens.
- BTCfi
- Decentralized monetary functions and providers constructed round Bitcoin or Bitcoin-backed property.
This text is for informational functions solely and doesn’t represent monetary recommendation. Please conduct your individual analysis earlier than making any funding selections.
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