TLDR
- Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol enables cbBTC transfers from Base to Monad
- More than $5 billion in Bitcoin-backed assets can now flow into Monad’s DeFi applications
- Platforms like Curvance and Neverland are launching the first cbBTC-powered markets on Monad
- Monad delivers 10,000 transactions per second with finality under one second
- CCIP has facilitated over $28 trillion in on-chain value transfers to date
Chainlink has successfully established a pathway for Coinbase’s wrapped Bitcoin asset, cbBTC, to move from the Base network to Monad through its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP).
The integration went live on March 2, 2026, bringing more than $5 billion in Bitcoin-backed value to Monad’s decentralized finance infrastructure.
cbBTC represents a tokenized version of Bitcoin created by Coinbase. Each token maintains a 1:1 peg with actual Bitcoin stored in secure custody, having first debuted on Ethereum and Base in September 2024.
This wrapped asset now operates across several blockchain ecosystems, including Ethereum, Base, Solana, and Arbitrum. Monad joins this expanding list as a new environment where Bitcoin-backed tokens can function.
Monad operates as an EVM-compatible layer-1 protocol designed for demanding financial use cases, delivering throughput of up to 10,000 transactions per second while achieving finality in under one second.
How Monad’s DeFi Landscape Benefits
With this connection established, users can now utilize cbBTC across lending protocols, exchange platforms, and sophisticated financial instruments built on Monad. Curvance and Neverland represent the first wave of applications launching cbBTC-integrated markets.
Developers now have the ability to construct Bitcoin-backed derivative products, spot trading venues, and algorithmic trading infrastructure on the platform. Monad’s rapid transaction processing and minimal costs create an ideal environment for these applications.
Johann Eid from Chainlink Labs emphasized that the infrastructure enables billions in cbBTC value to transfer between blockchains while maintaining institutional security standards. Keone Hon from the Monad Foundation noted that this integration provides developers with a robust foundation asset for building innovative applications.
Chainlink’s CCIP employs multiple tiers of decentralized verification mechanisms to minimize cross-chain security vulnerabilities. Since deployment, the protocol has processed more than $28 trillion in blockchain-based transaction volume.
William Reilly, who leads strategic initiatives at Chainlink Labs, stressed that the infrastructure supporting Bitcoin-wrapped assets must be capable of handling their scale as these assets expand into the tens of billions in value.
The Expansion of Bitcoin Yield Opportunities
Bitcoin’s proof-of-work consensus mechanism means it doesn’t inherently produce yield, which has traditionally restricted earning possibilities for Bitcoin holders in decentralized finance.
Emerging financial instruments are addressing this limitation. In 2025, Coinbase unveiled a Bitcoin Yield Fund designed to deliver 4% to 8% annual returns for institutional capital from outside the United States.
Kraken has similarly launched Bitcoin staking functionality via Babylon Labs, enabling users to commit BTC toward securing proof-of-stake blockchain networks. Telegram’s TON Wallet incorporated Bitcoin yield-generating vaults in late February 2026.
cbBTC has gained adoption across multiple lending and income-generating platforms, with some services providing returns reaching 3% on cbBTC holdings.
The Monad connection represents another milestone in broadening the availability of Bitcoin-backed assets throughout the decentralized finance ecosystem.
