Acurast powers xcBTC: Making Bitcoin truly cross-chain

Acurast continues to push the boundaries of decentralized finance by enabling the seamless cross-chain movement of Bitcoin. With the evolution of tzBTC into xcBTC, Bitcoin is no longer confined to a single blockchain—it is now accessible across multiple ecosystems, including Ethereum, Tezos, and Etherlink - with the ability to expand to further chains. At the core of this transformation is Acurast, which provides the secure execution environment for automating the wrapping and unwrapping of Bitcoin across different networks.

What is xcBTC?

xcBTC is a cross-chain Bitcoin token that extends the liquidity and utility of BTC beyond its native chain. By leveraging smart contracts, xcBTC enables users to transact with Bitcoin on a variety of blockchains, unlocking new financial use cases while maintaining full transparency and security.

Unlike tzBTC, which was limited to the Tezos ecosystem, xcBTC is designed for multi-chain interoperability, allowing users to move Bitcoin across different blockchain networks seamlessly.

As with other wrapped Bitcoin solutions, xcBTC is backed 1:1 by Bitcoin in custody, with its supply governed by a federation of Keyholders and Gatekeepers who ensure regulatory compliance and system integrity.

Acurast’s Role in Powering xcBTC

Acurast plays a key role in securing the automation of minting and burning xcBTC tokens. Previously, the process of wrapping and unwrapping Bitcoin required intermediaries to manually approve transactions. With Acurast's decentralized and tamper-proof execution environment, this critical process is now automated, ensuring efficiency, security, and transparency.

What makes this possible? Acurast’s global network of over 49,000 decentralized smartphones powers automation at an unprecedented scale. For xcBTC, a dedicated set of these devices is securely used to oversee and execute key operations, ensuring a trusted yet decentralized approach. This unique infrastructure makes Bitcoin’s cross-chain movement more accessible, secure, and unstoppable. Acurast already secures over 70 million USD on xcBTC, demonstrating the robustness and reliability of its decentralized infrastructure.

Key benefits of Acurast's automation for xcBTC include:

• Seamless Bitcoin Bridging: Users can now wrap and unwrap BTC across Tezos, Ethereum, and Etherlink with minimal friction
• Security: The Acurast execution environment is tamper-proof and leverages hardware security modules which have not been breached to the current day.
• Compliance: Reputable institutions such as Hex Trust, Tangany, Maverix, Mt Pellerin, and LEXR operate Acurast processors to ensure the system's integrity.

How xcBTC Works

Like other wrapped Bitcoin solutions, xcBTC is governed by a federation of Keyholders and Gatekeepers who oversee BTC custody and ensure compliance with KYC/AML requirements. The process consists of three main steps:

1. Initiating – Users request xcBTC from a Gatekeeper, undergo identity verification, and sends BTC to the network.
2. Minting – Keyholders, using a multi-signature setup, mint xcBTC equivalent to the BTC received.
3. Burning – When users wish to redeem BTC, xcBTC is burned, and the corresponding BTC is released back to them.

The Future of Bitcoin Interoperability

With Acurast automating the core functions of xcBTC, Bitcoin becomes a truly cross-chain asset, bridging the gap between different blockchain ecosystems. This marks a significant step forward in making Bitcoin’s liquidity more accessible for decentralized applications, DeFi platforms, and broader Web3 adoption.

The power behind this transformation? Acurast’s decentralized compute network, fueled by tens of thousands of smartphones worldwide. By leveraging Acurast-powered smartphones, xcBTC ensures a highly secure and efficient automation process, reinforcing trust in cross-chain Bitcoin transactions. This isn’t just about blockchain—it’s about the next phase of decentralized infrastructure, where anyone, anywhere, can participate in securing and automating financial ecosystems

To learn more about xcBTC and how it is revolutionizing wrapped Bitcoin, visit xcBTC’s website.

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About Acurast

Acurast is a truly decentralized, scalable, and secure compute network powered by smartphones, driving a mobile-powered disruption for decentralized, confidential, and accessible compute. Acurast redefines decentralized compute from the ground up—starting with smartphones, which are the most battle-tested devices worldwide, trusted by billions. With built-in TEEs and top-tier HSMs, they surpass traditional servers in security.