Background

Traditional Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chains rely on their native tokens for staking, often facing challenges such as high inflation rates and initial token distribution difficulties. Babylon introduces a groundbreaking solution by enabling Bitcoin assets for staking. This innovation not only addresses the inherent issues of PoS systems but also transforms Bitcoin into an interest-bearing asset, allowing staked Bitcoins to generate rewards.

With Bitcoin's total market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion, even a modest 1% participation in staking could provide security worth tens of billions of dollars. This substantial backing allows other PoS chains to utilize Babylon to achieve unprecedented levels of security, far surpassing what's typically possible with native tokens alone. By incorporating high-value BTC as a staking asset, chains can instill greater confidence in users. This enhanced security encourages users to commit their assets to the chain, potentially leading to rapid increases in Total Value Locked (TVL). The result is a positive feedback loop, fostering growth and stability within the ecosystem.

Currently, Bitcoin holders face limited options for generating reliable returns. Existing yield-generating methods like Babylon often require transferring BTC from other chains to the Bitcoin mainnet through bridges, which hold the tokens and issue derivative tokens on separate chains. These approaches not only introduce additional operational complexity for users but also lead to issues such as liquidity fragmentation and expose participants to extra risk factors.