The EVM-compatible Layer 2 answer will convey a verifiably decentralized different to the rising Bitcoin DeFi area.
Botanix Labs, the staff behind the Botanix Bitcoin Layer 2 introduced the launch of the Botanix mainnet right now, July 1, per a press launch shared with The Defiant.
The mainnet is launching with integrations from some acquainted faces reminiscent of Chainlink and Fireblocks on the infrastructure facet, and GMX on the decentralized software (dApp) facet.
The launch comes shortly after Botanix’s transition to an impartial node-led governance and consensus mechanism, making the community a verifiably decentralized Bitcoin Layer 2 (L2). A few of these node operators embrace the likes of Galaxy, Fireblocks, and Alchemy. The operator set is made up of 16 node operators at launch, and goals to increase past 100 operators in 2026.
Final yr, the community raised $11.5 million with participation from well-known crypto VCs, together with Polychain Capital and Placeholder Capital.
Along with its decentralized community, Botanix Labs seems to be to supply entry to reliable names in DeFi, reminiscent of decentralized alternate GMX, and on-chain cash market, Dolomite. The chain’s DeFi scene can even be closely centered on the incorporation of sBTC, a yield bearing, on-chain Bitcoin token.
The product rollout will characteristic what’s known as Bitcoin 2100, an interactive launch marketing campaign the place customers can get acquainted with Botanix’s mainnet, and earn free Bitcoin within the course of, with some prize swimming pools reaching as excessive as 0.5 BTC, or $54,000.
Botanix Labs CEO and co-founder Willem Schroé defined the necessity for native yield in a Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem to essentially entice its main viewers — Bitcoiners.
That is completed by way of the community’s stBTC token — 50% of all gasoline charges go towards the token with a view to present its holders with clear and native yield options.
“Bitcoin DeFi is about to break-out for my part…we expect the online new customers of people that haven’t been in DeFi are Bitcoiners, and lots of them will most likely set up Metamask for the primary time,” Schroé informed The Defiant in an interview.
CoinFlipCanda, the co-founder of GMX, informed The Defiant, “Now we have a tried and examined product we really feel very assured bringing ahead to bitcoiners…I feel we’ve tried to keep away from altering too many issues and we expect there may be going to be an enormous unlock of bitcoin itself inside Bitcoin layer 2s.”
“I feel one of many nice issues with Layer 2s growing on Bitcoin is that there’s a actual deal with yield, and never simply yield, however the precise financial utility of Bitcoin. There’s precise utility to what it is possible for you to to do with Bitcoin” he concluded.
