Threshold’s tBTC bridge upgrade enables institutions to mint tBTC directly on supported chains like Ethereum and Arbitrum in a single Bitcoin transaction, eliminating gas fees and secondary approvals. This positions over $500 billion in institutional Bitcoin for seamless DeFi access, backed 1:1 by BTC without custodians.
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Seamless minting and redemption: Institutions can now convert Bitcoin to tBTC in one transaction across chains without extra fees or approvals.
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Enhanced security through a 51-of-100 threshold signing model ensures no middlemen or custodian risks.
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Over $4.2 billion in cumulative volume since launch, competing with centralized options like Wrapped Bitcoin by offering decentralized alternatives with deeper liquidity for DeFi.
Discover how Threshold’s tBTC bridge upgrade unlocks DeFi for institutional Bitcoin holders. Mint tBTC gas-free on Ethereum, Arbitrum, and more—boost yields and liquidity today.
What is the Threshold tBTC Bridge Upgrade?
Threshold tBTC upgrade introduces streamlined features allowing institutions to mint tBTC directly onto chains like Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Base in a single Bitcoin transaction, bypassing gas fees and additional approvals. This innovation, announced by Threshold, simplifies redemptions back to the Bitcoin network as well. By removing traditional barriers, it encourages Bitcoin holders to engage actively in decentralized finance, generating yields rather than passive appreciation.
Source: Threshold
How Does the Threshold tBTC Upgrade Support Institutional Bitcoin in DeFi?
The upgrade leverages a decentralized 51-of-100 threshold signing model, ensuring every tBTC is backed 1:1 by Bitcoin without relying on custodians or intermediaries. This empowers institutions and large holders managing over $500 billion in Bitcoin to transfer assets to ecosystems like Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, and Sui. According to Threshold’s data, this facilitates pursuits of DeFi opportunities such as lending and liquidity provision.
Rizza Carla Ramos, Threshold’s head of marketing, emphasized this during an interview at the Web Summit in Lisbon. She noted, “Institutions want yields on their Bitcoin investments; they don’t want assets just sitting idle waiting for appreciation. This upgrade provides liquidity and depth, allowing assets to generate real profits.” Ramos further explained that such features build advanced on-chain finance for Bitcoin by integrating institutional capital into DeFi markets.
Since its inception five years ago, the tBTC bridge has processed over $4.2 billion in cumulative volume. This positions it as a strong contender against more centralized bridges like Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) and renBTC, which dominate in trading volume but introduce higher centralization risks. Recently, WBTC expanded to the Hedera network to enhance liquidity and Bitcoin tokenization on that high-speed chain, but Threshold’s model remains fully decentralized, appealing to those prioritizing security.
The benefits extend beyond Bitcoin holders. Threshold highlights that influxes of tBTC will bolster DeFi protocols by increasing liquidity in decentralized exchanges and lending platforms. This deeper liquidity supports more stable yields, making the entire ecosystem more resilient. For instance, enhanced pools on platforms like Uniswap or Aave could see improved trading efficiency and borrowing rates, drawing from Bitcoin’s vast market capitalization, which stands at over $1 trillion as of late 2025.
Experts in blockchain infrastructure, such as those from the Threshold team, underscore the upgrade’s role in bridging traditional finance with Web3. By enabling direct, low-cost transfers, it reduces the opportunity costs associated with holding native Bitcoin. Data from on-chain analytics firms like Dune Analytics shows that institutional Bitcoin holdings have grown significantly, with entities like Grayscale and MicroStrategy leading the charge, yet much of this capital remains underutilized outside spot price gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Chains Does the Threshold tBTC Upgrade Support for Minting?
The upgrade supports direct minting on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, Sui, and other compatible blockchains. Institutions can initiate the process with one Bitcoin transaction, receiving tBTC without intermediaries, ensuring quick access to DeFi yields on these networks.
How Secure Is the tBTC Bridge Compared to Centralized Alternatives?
The tBTC bridge uses a decentralized threshold signing model where 51 out of 100 signers must approve actions, eliminating single points of failure. Unlike centralized wrappers like WBTC, it avoids custodian risks, providing verifiable 1:1 backing and fostering trust for institutional use.
Key Takeaways
- Gas-Free Efficiency: Mint and redeem tBTC without secondary fees, streamlining Bitcoin’s entry into multi-chain DeFi.
- Decentralized Security: The 51-of-100 model protects against custodian vulnerabilities, unlocking $500 billion in institutional BTC safely.
- Ecosystem Growth: Increased tBTC liquidity enhances DeFi yields and stability—explore lending protocols now for better returns on holdings.
Conclusion
Threshold’s tBTC bridge upgrade marks a pivotal advancement for institutional Bitcoin integration into DeFi, offering seamless, secure access across chains like Ethereum and Arbitrum without the hurdles of fees or centralization. By enabling yields and liquidity, it transforms passive holdings into productive assets. As DeFi matures, this positions Bitcoin as a cornerstone of on-chain finance, inviting holders to actively participate in the evolving digital economy.
