BOB is the Gateway to Bitcoin DeFi, the safest and easiest way to earn yield on your Bitcoin. One of the key challenges we are solving is how to make Bitcoin accessible to everyday users while maintaining the security institutions require. Our approach uses two complementary bridges that work together, combining BitVM's strong security guarantees with Gateway's fast accessibility.

BOB mainnet is live since May 2024, with Gateway serving as the main route to onramp users from Bitcoin to BOB. With BitVM set to go live on mainnet in 2025, we are outlining how BitVM and Gateway will work together on mainnet.
‍

The Challenge: Making Bitcoin Work for Everyone

BitVM provides strong Bitcoin security—we can bridge BTC with Bitcoin enforcing the security of the bridge. This high level of security comes with trade-offs:

‍

  • Complex operations: BitVM2's on-chain fees and BitVM3's computational requirements demand sophisticated infrastructure and result in possibly high fixed cost when bridging
  • High minimum amounts: Due to the high fixed cost, the minimum amounts of 10+ BTC make BitVM bridging itself focussed on institutions and individuals with large holdings
  • Secure confirmations take time: The combination of BitVM and Bitcoin’s block times means BitVM bridging operations take a few hours for bridging to BOB and two to four weeks to bridge back to Bitcoin

‍

These constraints work well for maximum security when moving large amounts, but they can create barriers, for example, for users wanting to earn yield on smaller Bitcoin holdings, traders seeking arbitrage opportunities, or developers testing BTC applications.

‍

The Solution: Two Bridges, One Vision

This is where BOB's innovation shines. We built two complementary bridges that work together like a financial superhighway system:
‍

1. The BitVM Bridge: Fort Knox for Your Bitcoin

Think of BitVM as an armored truck for Bitcoin transfers. It's designed for institutions and high-value transfers:

‍

  • Strong security through cryptography: Secured by Bitcoin's consensus through SNARK fraud proofs, attempted fraud is caught before it can take effect. Through the use of cryptography, challengers can verify any fraudulent claims, keep the BTC secure and slash the operator.
  • Institutional focus: BitVM will become a reality when large amounts of BTC are bridged. BOB is working with leading institutions as part of bitvm/acc to ensure that the BitVM implementation is meeting the rigorous standards of the A players in the Bitcoin industry.
  • Live on BOB testnet: BitVM is real. The BitVM implementation is currently being tested with bitvm/acc partners and set to go live in late 2025, enabling native BTC on BOB. That means BTC on BOB will just be BTC, just like ETH on Optimism is just ETH. 

‍

As a founding member of the BitVM Alliance and co-author of the BitVM bridge design, BOB isn't just implementing BitVM—we're helping define it.

‍

2. The Gateway: Your Fast Lane to Bitcoin DeFi

While BitVM is the fortress, Gateway is the expressway—built for speed, convenience, and everyday use:

‍

- Simple Access: From BTC in your wallet to earning yield on BOB in minutes

- Flexible Amounts: Supports transfers from 0.001 to 100+ BTC

- Quick Settlement: Complete your bridge in 1-30 minutes

- Live on BOB mainnet: Live with Xverse, Solv, Pell, and Sovryn

‍

Gateway uses intent-based swaps to provide any flavor of BTC quickly and with just a single Bitcoin transaction: BitVM-secured BTC, yield-generating BTC, and DeFi positions. This approach combines the speed typically associated with centralized services while maintaining decentralized security properties.

‍

How They Work Together

The key insight is that Gateway and BitVM complement rather than compete with each other:

‍

  1. Temporary Trust, Permanent Security: When using Gateway, trust assumptions only apply during the swap period (minutes). Once you receive BitVM BTC on BOB, you have the same security guarantees as direct BitVM bridge users.
  2. One Token, Two Paths: Both bridges give users the same BitVM BTC token. In Gateway, users swap their native BTC to BTC on BOB. In BitVM, users lock their BTC on Bitcoin and mint BTC on BOB. Both users receive the same fungible token usable across BOB's DeFi ecosystem.
  3. Market Efficiency: Arbitrageurs can use BitVM for large transfers and Gateway for quick trades, ensuring prices stay balanced and liquidity flows where it's needed.

‍

Why This Matters: The BOB Ecosystem Advantage

This dual-bridge approach is core to BOB's position in Bitcoin DeFi. It empowers the BOB ecosystem to grow:
‍

- DeFi Leader Protocols: Uniswap, Euler, Chainlink, and Babylon have deployed on BOB due to our infrastructure capabilities

- Institutional Trust: Fireblocks, Cobo, and FordeFi chose BOB because we combine retail accessibility with institutional-grade security

- Fast & Stable: Native USDC and USDT support with Chainlink CCIP and LayerZero for seamless cross-chain operations


The Future is Hybrid

BOB's two-bridge approach addresses current challenges while building infrastructure for Bitcoin's future. By balancing security and accessibility, we're enabling:

‍

  • Institutions can move billions with Bitcoin-level security through BitVM
  • Everyday users can access Bitcoin DeFi with one click through Gateway
  • Developers can leverage both Bitcoin and Ethereum capabilities
  • All users benefit from increased liquidity, established infrastructure, and ongoing development

‍

This is what being a hybrid chain means: building bridges between ecosystems rather than choosing sides. Combining Bitcoin and Ethereum's strengths. Supporting both institutional and retail users effectively.

‍

What's Next?

The bridges are an important foundation. Next steps include:

‍

1. BitVM Mainnet: Launching our tested BitVM implementation for institutional partners

2. Gateway Expansion: Cross-chain swaps, staking integrations, and even faster settlements

3. Ecosystem Growth: Additional protocol integrations and institutional partnerships

4. Security Milestones: Comprehensive audits and increased TVL secured by BOB Finality Providers

‍

Join Us

Whether you're holding 0.001 BTC or 1,000 BTC, whether you're building DeFi protocols or looking to earn yield, BOB provides ideal bridging solutions.

At BOB, we're working to make Bitcoin accessible to a broader range of users, and from one all-encompassing gateway. Our two-bridge system is a step toward that goal.

Join us in building the hybrid and multichain future of Bitcoin.