Decentralised finance (DeFi) has revolutionised the digital finance industry. There are innovative ways to store, lend, and trade funds on decentralised systems. One asset that has become prominent in these circles is wBTC, which is different from BTC. Accordingly, online gambling enthusiasts on platforms like BC.GAME and all kinds of traders may want to know more about this asset. It has something to do with Bitcoin itself, hence the proximity in naming.
Nonetheless, their functional differences set them apart, and these distinctions should be clear. Many are aware of Bitcoin as the pioneer cryptocurrency that heralded the arrival of a futuristic world of digital currencies. The legacy of the first peer-to-peer electronic currency is no longer in question. Nonetheless, Bitcoin does not work well with other blockchains. This aspect of operating as a platform cryptocurrency is Ethereum’s domain. The wBTC attempts to bring the best of both worlds to benefit the crypto community.
What is wBTC?
Wrapped Bitcoin, or wBTC, has become a popular term for an ERC-20 token representing Bitcoin. In effect, wBTC is a tokenised form of Bitcoin. It has equal value and is interchangeable. The beauty of using it in tokenised format is to provide increased liquidity for DeFi applications and, most importantly, allow holders to participate in the high-octane DeFi world, earning more from their investment. Bitcoin owners can, therefore, lend Bitcoin in the form of wBTC and provide utility within DeFi applications or even provide liquidity in certain pools. This token has increased liquidity to DeFi apps because BTC holders can use their funds to make more.
Bitcoin is no longer a standalone alone with rigid applicability. Bitcoin is still the most prominent cryptocurrency. Its value and name recognition dwarf all the other cryptocurrencies. It has crystallised its position as digital gold, with millions worldwide holding Bitcoin for its value. The innovation within DeFi has not put a dent in Bitcoin’s desirability as an asset. The wBTC attempts to combine the best of both worlds by capturing the value of Bitcoin and allowing DeFi investors to move it within that ecosystem. Accordingly, wBTC is easier to integrate into Ethereum wallets, dApps, and smart contracts.
History and Management
This utility made the token an instant hit, and more went into circulation daily. wBTC first came into circulation in early 2018 as a collaborative project between entities like BitGo, Ren, MakerDAO, and Kyber, some of the most significant players within the DeFi ecosystem. There was a need to integrate Bitcoin’s value into the DeFi sector, and the heavyweights brought their logistical expertise to the fore. Today, a Decentralised Autonomous Organization called wBTC DAO manages the token. This organisation ensures that the tokenomics are suitable to maintain value and the tokens’ intended functionality.
The governing members of wBTC DAO make critical decisions about protocol upgrades, ensuring that the token continues to be adaptive and secure without third parties interference. If anything, wBTC holders must interact with merchants who initiate minting or burning tokens. The process requires verifying user identities and then passing the buck to custodians of the BTC, who complete the process. When Bitcoins move into the custodian’s hands, new tokens equivalent to the amount of BTC joins circulation.
The Significance of wBTC
In lending, the concept of collateral is vital. DeFi platforms like MakerDAO need users to lock up crypto assets to borrow other funds. It is like bank loans, only that you lock up some funds instead of producing a security item or guarantee in a trustless, paperless environment. The overall value of most crypto assets is relatively small. Bitcoin is significant and can provide efficient collateral in the lending landscape.
Wrapped Bitcoin means that Bitcoin holders can lend their assets as collateral and get more flexibility within the DeFi applications, generating more beyond the capital gains when HODLing BTC. The platforms get greater liquidity and the ability to scale their lending capabilities even more. For all its success, the Bitcoin blockchain is pretty rigid. Its chain cannot communicate with other blockchains, unlike Ethereum tokens which utilise smart contracts to execute commands trustlessly. Wrapped Bitcoin will rely on smart contract execution to pull off some of the intended functions. Nonetheless, it is still secure and has earned the trust of the wider crypto community.
Nonetheless, it cannot be as secure as Bitcoin, which is fully decentralised. To ensure that it maintains a value equal to Bitcoin, the management team subjects the token to regular audits and publishes on-chain transactions. The users can check the data and ensure it tallies with wBTC tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. This process means the management team also burns wBTC when some wrapped Bitcoin is moved.
Purchasing and Utilising wBTC
The beauty of ERC-20 tokens is that they have broad compatibility. Many exchanges and crypto wallets function well with such tokens. Decentralised exchanges are also a convenient destination for acquiring this token. WBTC allows you to borrow or lend within the DeFi ecosystem. Traders can also use it on various DeFi platforms for their desired ends. It is like having digital gold, which is more flexible within this new financial system.
The Big Picture
The wBTC token was a necessary and transformational addition to the DeFi and the entire crypto space, including online crypto gambling, where BC.GAME supports it with other tokens and coins. Its true genius will be in what developers can create out of its utility. By extension, wBTC is a crucial building block for the DeFi space because it brings literal value to this space. Users can send the token efficiently and realise the value from Bitcoin’s introduction into DeFi and even gambling. Following developments in this space will be fascinating as wBTC, and other DeFi tokens continue to find support across the board.
