On July 21, Merlin Chain unveiled its latest iteration, Merlin 2.0, outlining a strategic vision to “Reinvent Bitcoin: Hold, Earn, Invest.” This upgrade aims to transition Bitcoin from a mere store of value into a profitable and deployable core asset within the decentralized finance landscape. Merlin 2.0 emphasizes three pivotal areas: the expansion of BTCFi, advancements in chain abstraction technology, and integration of AI-driven applications like Merlin Wizard, enhancing Bitcoin’s liquidity and utility across multiple blockchains.
By lowering barriers to Bitcoin utilization, Merlin 2.0 enables users to engage in diverse cross-chain investment opportunities without the need for asset swaps. This facilitates seamless BTC holding, income generation, and liquidity participation, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role in a multi-chain ecosystem. Since its mainnet launch in February 2024, Merlin Chain has catalyzed the growth of BTCFi, supporting key projects such as Solv, Bedrock, Avalon, and Babylon, collectively securing over $3.8 billion in BTC pledged.
Currently, the Merlin ecosystem boasts approximately $2 billion in BTCFi Total Value Locked (TVL), representing more than 20% of the market share. This robust performance underscores Merlin Chain’s significant contribution to expanding Bitcoin’s functional scope and enhancing its financial utility within decentralized finance.