Zest Protocol
AuditedVerifiedZest Protocol is the largest Bitcoin-native lending platform on Stacks, an Aave V3-style money market that lets users earn yield on or borrow against BTC, sBTC, STX, stSTX, and Stacks stablecoins.
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The Problem
Bitcoin is the largest crypto asset but generates no native yield, and porting BTC to EVM lending markets requires bridging or wrapping into custodial WBTC-style assets.
The Solution
Zest deploys an Aave V3-style lending market natively on Stacks, where sBTC and BTC-correlated assets can be supplied, borrowed against, or used as collateral without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Why it Matters
Dominant lending protocol on Stacks (~$85M+ TVL, 800+ BTC equivalent), Aave V3 design adapted for lower-liquidity environments via efficiency groups and hub-spoke architecture, and a deep Bitcoin-native team incubated at Trust Machines.
Protocol Metrics
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View allFrequently asked questions about Zest Protocol
What is Zest Protocol?+
Zest Protocol is a Lending protocol operating on Stacks. Zest Protocol is the largest Bitcoin-native lending platform on Stacks, an Aave V3-style money market that lets users earn yield on or borrow against BTC, sBTC, STX, stSTX, and Stacks stablecoins.
How does Zest Protocol work?+
Zest deploys an Aave V3-style lending market natively on Stacks, where sBTC and BTC-correlated assets can be supplied, borrowed against, or used as collateral without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Is Zest Protocol safe?+
DeFi Sentinel rates Zest Protocol BBB with a safety score of 69/100, indicating 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. Zest Protocol has 9 audits on record. DeFi Sentinel's analysis flagged 1 high, 6 medium, 4 low risk alerts across Smart Contract & Technical Risk, Sustainability & Competitive Position, Economic Design & Market Risk and Governance & Centralization. As with all DeFi protocols, residual risk remains and users should review the full risk breakdown before depositing.
What is the safety score of Zest Protocol?+
Zest Protocol has a DeFi Sentinel safety score of 69/100 (rating BBB), last updated July 19, 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 Zest Protocol support?+
Zest Protocol is deployed on Stacks.
Has Zest Protocol been audited?+
Yes. Zest Protocol has 9 audit reports on record from firms including CoinFabrik, Clarity Alliance (V1), Thesis Defense. Audit reports and dates are linked under the Resources tab on this page.