Explainers
sBTC bridge
May 15, 2025
Disclaimer: Leather does not operate the sBTC bridge protocol. Users are responsible for reviewing protocol mechanics, contract addresses, and security considerations before bridging funds. Bridging BTC involves interacting with both Bitcoin and Stacks blockchains. Always verify the bridge address, check network status, and understand the wait times or redemption steps before starting.
The sBTC bridge connects Bitcoin to the Stacks ecosystem, enabling BTC to be used in smart contracts, apps, and protocols built on Stacks.
When you use the sBTC bridge, your BTC is locked on Bitcoin and an equivalent amount of sBTC is minted on Stacks. This sBTC is pegged 1:1 with BTC and can be transferred, traded, or committed to protocols that offer yield or utility.
How the sBTC bridge works
You send BTC to a designated Bitcoin address controlled by a decentralized set of signers.
The sBTC protocol mints a matching amount of sBTC on the Stacks blockchain.
You can use this sBTC in DeFi apps such as ALEX, Bitflow, Granite, Zest, or others supported by Leather.
When you're ready to redeem, you burn your sBTC and receive BTC back from the signers on Bitcoin.
The process is trust-minimized and governed by consensus rules within the Stacks network. sBTC is not a wrapped token managed by a central custodian—it's natively supported by the protocol.
Using the sBTC bridge in Leather
Leather makes it easy to:
Connect to the sBTC bridge interface
Send BTC from a Bitcoin address
Track the minting and redemption of your sBTC on Stacks
Use sBTC directly in apps that offer Bitcoin-native earning
This unlocks new earning opportunities while keeping your BTC secure, verifiable, and compatible with decentralized finance tools on Stacks.
