Back to Protocols
Bitlayer

Bitlayer

AuditedVerified

Bitlayer is a BitVM-based Bitcoin Layer 2 and trust-minimized cross-chain bridge whose YBTC family of assets (YBTC, YBTC.B) wraps native BTC for use across EVM and non-EVM DeFi.

BridgeBitcoinBitlayerEthereumArbitrumBaseSolanaSuiTVL: $26.0MLast updated: May 21, 2026
Risk Rating
A
Safety Score
72

Risk Profile Overview

Overall Rating
(72/100)
Learn about our rating methodology

Active Risk Alerts

Live signals detected by Sentinel monitors across all five risk classes.

10active

Unlock alert details with Pro

See each alert's affected component, root-cause analysis, and recommended action. Pro members get the full risk breakdown for every protocol.

Upgrade to Pro

The Problem

Native Bitcoin earns no yield and cannot natively participate in smart-contract DeFi. Existing wrapped-BTC solutions rely on centralized custodians (wBTC) or complex federations with weaker security assumptions.

The Solution

Bitlayer's BitVM Bridge locks native BTC under a pre-signed transaction graph enforced on Bitcoin L1 and mints 1:1 YBTC on Bitlayer, Ethereum, and other chains. Security holds as long as one attesting-committee signer remains honest.

Why it Matters

First production BitVM-style trust-minimized BTC bridge. Locked BTC is verifiable on Bitcoin L1; redemption is enforceable via fraud proofs rather than trusting a custodian's solvency.

Protocol Metrics

TVL Trend
$26.03M

Related Research

View all
No related analysis articles found for Bitlayer.

Frequently asked questions about Bitlayer

What is Bitlayer?+

Bitlayer is a Bridge protocol operating on Bitcoin, Bitlayer, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Solana, Sui. Bitlayer is a BitVM-based Bitcoin Layer 2 and trust-minimized cross-chain bridge whose YBTC family of assets (YBTC, YBTC.B) wraps native BTC for use across EVM and non-EVM DeFi.

How does Bitlayer work?+

Bitlayer's BitVM Bridge locks native BTC under a pre-signed transaction graph enforced on Bitcoin L1 and mints 1:1 YBTC on Bitlayer, Ethereum, and other chains. Security holds as long as one attesting-committee signer remains honest.

Is Bitlayer safe?+

DeFi Sentinel rates Bitlayer A with a safety score of 72/100, indicating low-to-moderate risk. The score reflects five risk dimensions: smart contract & technical risk, economic design & market risk, governance & centralization, sustainability & competitive position, and reputation & social trust. Bitlayer has 3 audits on record. DeFi Sentinel's analysis flagged 1 high, 8 medium, 1 low risk alerts across Sustainability & Competitive Position, Smart Contract & Technical Risk, Economic Design & Market Risk, Governance & Centralization and Reputation & Social Trust. As with all DeFi protocols, residual risk remains and users should review the full risk breakdown before depositing.

What is the safety score of Bitlayer?+

Bitlayer has a DeFi Sentinel safety score of 72/100 (rating A), last updated May 21, 2026. The score is computed across smart contract & technical risk (30%), economic design & market risk (25%), governance & centralization (20%), sustainability & competitive position (15%), and reputation & social trust (10%).

Which chains does Bitlayer support?+

Bitlayer is deployed on Bitcoin, Bitlayer, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Solana, Sui.

Has Bitlayer been audited?+

Yes. Bitlayer has 3 audit reports on record from firms including SlowMist, Hacken, DogScan (BTR Token). Audit reports and dates are linked under the Resources tab on this page.