Bitcoin Application Layer Citrea Launches Mainnet With DeFi Tools

TheNewsCryptoPublicado a 2026-01-28Actualizado a 2026-01-28

Resumen

Citrea, Bitcoin's application layer, has launched its mainnet, enabling lending, trading, and settlement directly on the Bitcoin network. This development aims to expand BTC's use as a store of value to on-chain financial activity. The network introduces cBTC, a Bitcoin-backed asset for decentralized applications, and ctUSD, a native stablecoin designed for on-chain liquidity. cBTC utilizes zero-knowledge proofs and BitVM-based confirmation to reduce reliance on custodians. The system allows challenges to fraudulent activity on the Bitcoin mainnet, enhancing security over previous bridge designs. The mainnet debuts with over 30 Bitcoin-secured apps, including DEXs and lending services. Citrea also offers a user dashboard for asset management and plans to incentivize miners through increased network usage.

The application layer of Bitcoin, Citrea, has rolled out its mainnet, permitting lending, trading and settlement directly on the BTC network. On January 27, the rollout was publicised, indicating a step toward widening the use of BTC beyond long-term holding into on-chain financial activity.

Citrea places itself as an application layer made particularly for BYC capital markets. Layer 1 is made to keep liquidity adhering to BTC while permitting programmable applications safeguarded by the network only.

At rollout, the network launches cBTC, a Bitcoin-supported asset to be used across decentralised apps, and ctUSD, a native stablecoin aimed at backing on-chain liquidity. As per Citrea, cBTC leverages zero-knowledge proofs and BitVM-based confirmation to suppress dependency on custodians or multisignature trust setups.

Any trial at deceptive activity can be challenged on the Bitcoin mainnet, provided a minimum of one honest participant is present. This model is designed to offer a higher level of security than previous Bitcoin bridge designs.

Citrea’s Rollout

Along the side of these assets, the mainnet debuts of Citrea, having over 30 Bitcoin-ensured apps, comprising decentralised exchanges, liquidity tools, and early-stage lending and privacy-aimed services. Extra applications and structures that yield products are anticipated to launch in the coming weeks.

To back trading with settlement, Citrea has launched ctUSD, a Bitcoin-native stablecoin offered by MoonPay and made on M0’s open stablecoin infrastructure. The stablecoin can easily be accessed in the US, except in New York, and over 160 other countries and is designed with keeping institutional compliance in mind.

Adding more to this, Citrea has launched a user dashboard that permits users to manage assets over the ecosystem, track activity, and look out for applications. From the start, user actions on live applications are listed, with plans to widen dashboard features as a lot of tools come online.

Moving forward, Citrea mentions it aims to grow Bitcoin-denominated financial activity and has made incentives for miners more robust via surged network usage.

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Preguntas relacionadas

QWhat is Citrea and what does its mainnet launch enable on the Bitcoin network?

ACitrea is an application layer for Bitcoin that enables lending, trading, and settlement directly on the BTC network, expanding its use beyond long-term holding to on-chain financial activity.

QWhat are the two main assets launched with Citrea's mainnet and what are their purposes?

AThe two main assets are cBTC, a Bitcoin-supported asset for use across decentralized apps, and ctUSD, a native stablecoin designed to support on-chain liquidity.

QHow does Citrea's security model improve upon previous Bitcoin bridge designs?

ACitrea's security model allows any deceptive activity to be challenged on the Bitcoin mainnet as long as at least one honest participant is present, providing a higher level of security than previous bridge designs.

QWhat is ctUSD and how is it made accessible to users?

ActUSD is a Bitcoin-native stablecoin provided by MoonPay and built on M0's open stablecoin infrastructure. It is accessible in the U.S. (except New York) and over 160 other countries with institutional compliance in mind.

QWhat additional tool did Citrea launch to help users navigate its ecosystem?

ACitrea launched a user dashboard that allows users to manage assets across the ecosystem, track activity, and discover applications, with plans to expand its features as more tools come online.

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