Bitcoin has long been hailed as “digital gold,” a secure store of value that recently gained even more legitimacy with the approval of the first Spot Bitcoin ETF. But Bitcoin is now evolving into something bigger — an asset that not only holds value but also generates it. Wall Street is no longer satisfied with simply holding Bitcoin. It wants more ways to earn from it. As scaling technologies like Bitcoin Layer 2s (L2s) come of age, Bitcoin is becoming a yield-bearing asset for the first time, unlocking new opportunities for investors and shifting how they interact with it.
While Bitcoin L2s and sidechains have existed for years, they’ve mostly remained under the radar, offering little in terms of broad financial integration — until now. Leading this new wave of innovation is Core, a blockchain that’s transforming Bitcoin’s utility by offering yield through Non-Custodial Bitcoin Staking. By leveraging Bitcoin’s security to power a fully EVM-compatible Bitcoin DeFi (BTCfi) ecosystem, Core is turning Bitcoin into a dynamic asset that’s not just a store of value but a source of yield, paving the way for deeper adoption across retail, institutional, and developer communities.
Core: Revolutionizing Bitcoin’s Scaling
Core has quickly become the most active Bitcoin sidechain, driven by its clear value proposition. Core offers practical utility that aligns perfectly with Bitcoin’s principles of decentralization and self-custody. The key breakthrough is that Core allows users to earn yield on their Bitcoin without moving it out of their wallets or giving up control. This appeals to a broad spectrum of users, from individual holders to large institutions, all of whom seek to generate returns while keeping their Bitcoin secure.
Core’s Bitcoin-native yield product is complemented by its active BTCfi ecosystem, which has experienced rapid growth, reflecting demand for Bitcoin yield and DeFi. The blockchain has already amassed over $460 million in Total Value Locked (TVL) and has attracted more than 400,000 weekly active wallets. Its ecosystem hosts more than 100 decentralized applications, making it the clear leader among Bitcoin scaling solutions.
How Core’s Non-Custodial Bitcoin Staking Works
Core’s Non-Custodial Bitcoin Staking is simple but transformative. Bitcoin holders lock their assets using Bitcoin’s native time-lock feature, which keeps the Bitcoin fully under their control but temporarily immovable. This locked Bitcoin can then be delegated to validators on the Core network, who secure the blockchain and process transactions. Validators, in turn, distribute the rewards they earn — denominated in CORE tokens — back to the stakers.
This mechanism is groundbreaking for Bitcoin. It allows holders to contribute to the security of BTCfi on Core while earning yield, all without engaging in risky financial practices. The yield comes from Core’s block rewards and transaction fees, making it transparent and designed for the long-haul. This approach is not only attractive to individual investors but also meets the safety and compliance standards of institutional players looking to generate yield on their Bitcoin holdings.
BTCfi: A New Frontier for Bitcoin DeFi
Bitcoin DeFi, or BTCfi, is emerging as one of the biggest untapped opportunities in crypto. Despite Bitcoin being the most valuable digital asset, only a small fraction of its market cap is currently involved in DeFi — around $1.4 billion out of a $500 billion total. By comparison, roughly 15% of Ethereum’s market cap is locked in DeFi. If Bitcoin’s DeFi adoption were to reach a similar scale, it could unlock over $200 billion in value, or even more if Bitcoin were to continue growing itself.
Core is amplifying this potential through its upcoming Dual Staking feature, which will enable users to stake both Bitcoin and CORE tokens simultaneously to earn enhanced Bitcoin staking rates. This approach introduces tiered yields, enabling users of different profiles access to various options depending on their risk profile and appetites. In particular, this approach maximizes scalability for institutions looking to diversify into yield-bearing Bitcoin-related assets.
The Path to Bitcoin’s Future
As Bitcoin evolves from a simple store of value to hyper-programmable money, BTCfi represents a significant opportunity for those looking to ride Bitcoin’s growth to its full potential. Core stands at the center of this transformation, offering a high-upside, high-beta asset that directly benefits from the maturation of Bitcoin DeFi. Its mix of clear utility, a vibrant ecosystem, and innovative tokenomics make it one of the most compelling opportunities in the current market.
While Bitcoin will likely maintain its role as the primary store of value in crypto, the rise of BTCfi will redefine how value is generated from it. Core is leading this movement by making Bitcoin more than just digital gold; it’s transforming it into a financial powerhouse capable of delivering yield and long-term growth. In this evolving landscape, Core could be the driving force behind Bitcoin’s next trillion-dollar opportunity, redefining what it means to hold and earn from Bitcoin.
Greg Grzesiak is an Entrepreneur-In-Residence and Columnist at Grit Daily. As CEO of Grzesiak Growth LLC, Greg dedicates his time to helping CEOs influencers and entrepreneurs make the appearances that will grow their following in their reach globally. Over the years he has built strong partnerships with high profile educators and influencers in Youtube and traditional finance space. Greg is a University of Florida graduate with years of experience in marketing and journalism.
