- Cardano has launched Cardinal, its first Bitcoin-focused DeFi protocol, enabling BTC holders to lend, stake, and borrow without relying on custodians or bridges.
- By using trust-minimized cryptography and BitVMX, Cardinal offers secure, transparent access to DeFi while keeping Bitcoin locked on its native chain.
Cardano has officially launched Cardinal, a decentralized finance protocol that opens the door for Bitcoin users to participate in DeFi without relying on custodians or centralized bridges. Announced by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson on June 9, Cardinal is a significant step toward bridging the gap between Bitcoin and decentralized applications—without compromising the integrity of Bitcoin’s native chain.
Welcome to the first Bitcoin DeFi protocol developed for Cardano https://t.co/CoYvrYnIfI
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) June 9, 2025
A Trust-Minimized Approach to Wrapped Bitcoin
Unlike conventional wrapped Bitcoin solutions that depend on centralized custodians, Cardinal uses a cryptographic tool called MuSig2. This allows multiple parties to co-sign transactions while ensuring that the original BTC remains securely locked on the Bitcoin blockchain. Even if only one participant acts honestly, the system remains secure and fraud-resistant.
Cardinal works by wrapping Bitcoin’s unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs), converting them into tokens pegged 1:1 with BTC. Users retain full control and can redeem their wrapped assets at any time. This structure eliminates common security vulnerabilities found in many bridging solutions.
No Rehypothecation, Full Asset Control
One of Cardinal’s standout features is its stance on rehypothecation, a practice where user assets are reused—often without transparent disclosure. Cardinal rejects this model. It allows Bitcoin holders to lend, stake, or borrow assets while maintaining direct ownership and full transparency, setting it apart from many other DeFi protocols.
BitVMX: Enabling Secure, Bridgeless Transfers
The protocol also integrates BitVMX, an off-chain system that supports complex operations while maintaining decentralization. BitVMX enables seamless asset transfers between Bitcoin and Cardano by leveraging both Cardano smart contracts and Bitcoin’s scripting capabilities.
This innovative system was demonstrated live at the Bitcoin 2025 conference, where developers successfully transferred BTC to Cardano without using a traditional bridge. The event underlined Cardano’s ambition to evolve into a robust platform for Bitcoin-native decentralized applications.
A Bid to Revive Cardano’s DeFi Ecosystem
Cardano’s total value locked in DeFi has recently fallen from a May high of $415 million to $334 million as of June 10, according to DefiLlama. The launch of Cardinal aims to reverse this trend by drawing Bitcoin liquidity into Cardano’s growing ecosystem.
With a focus on decentralization, transparency, and security, Cardinal could mark a turning point for both Bitcoin and Cardano within the DeFi space.
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