Recently, at EthCC 2025 at Cannes, the lines between traditional finance, decentralized finance (DeFi), and Bitcoin blurred more than ever before, showcasing a remarkable evolution in the cryptocurrency landscape. From discussions on tokenized equities to decentralized AI innovations, one of the standout narratives was the rising prominence of Bitcoin DeFi. It was clear, even at Ethereum's flagship event, that Bitcoin is staking its claim as a major contender in the DeFi space.
A pivotal figure in this emerging narrative is Alexei Zamyatin, Co-Founder of BOB and a BitVM researcher. Zamyatin emphasized the significance of Bitcoin's growing role, stating, “With the launch of our BitVM testnet with our partners, BOB is opening the gateway to Bitcoin DeFi. For the first time, Bitcoin can now be used in a programmable, EVM-compatible environment without relying on third-party custodians. This opens the door for developers and institutions to build trustless applications directly with Bitcoin, secured by the network itself.”
The EthCC conference served as the perfect venue to propel this conversation forward, illustrating the potential synergy between Bitcoin's immense liquidity and security and Ethereum’s dynamic DeFi innovation. The introduction of BOB's BitVM testnet highlighted a groundbreaking development: Bitcoin's ability to operate within an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) framework, autonomously harnessing its intrinsic features without losing its foundational principles.
The response to BitVM has been overwhelmingly positive, with numerous builders and partners showing strong interest. Institutions like P2P.org and protocols such as Solv, Amber, and Ankr are already leveraging BitVM infrastructure, signaling a collaborative shift towards a more integrated and versatile crypto ecosystem.
As Zamyatin articulated, “As a hybrid chain, BOB represents a future where Bitcoin can finally participate in DeFi on its own terms, trustlessly, efficiently, and without compromising its core principles. EthCC 2025 made one thing clear: the future is not just multi-chain, it’s hybrid.”
EthCC 2025 has set a new precedent, highlighting Bitcoin’s expanding role in the DeFi sector and pointing towards a future where finance is more interconnected than ever before. As Bitcoin continues to assert its presence, the potential for both innovation and collaboration within this hybrid financial landscape is immense, paving the way for the next wave of digital finance transformation.
You can find the Korean version of this article here.
