Hedera integrates WBTC, the leading tokenized Bitcoin, expanding BTCFi access on its institutional-grade network through LayerZero.
The Hedera Foundation announced a key development today. The industry’s premier tokenized version of Bitcoin, WBTC, is now live on the institution-grade Hedera network. This integration of WBTC on Hedera is a joint effort. It involves Hedera Council member BitGo, BiT Global, an industry-leading team, as well as LayerZero. This brings canonical WBTC to the fast growing decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem that has its headquarters in Hedera.
WBTC Arrives on Hedera, Empowering BTC Holders in DeFi
Since 2019, WBTC has given Bitcoin holders access to the world of DeFi. It allows them to lend, trade and provide liquidity. All this occurs with maintaining their exposure to their BTC. Now, that capability comes to Hedera. LayerZero powers the system through its cross-chain infrastructure. Moreover, Stargate integration enables seamless movement of assets. All of the initial liquidity pools are live on SaucerSwap.
The integration is powered by the cross-chain infrastructure of LayerZero. It is also incorporated into Stargate. This enables smooth movement of assets across chains. Initial liquidity pools are available to access on the decentralized exchange of SaucerSwap.
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This move is aimed at bringing the liquidity of idle bitcoins to the Hedera network. Each WBTC is backed 1:1 (fully) with Bitcoin. These Bitcoins are kept on secure custody. This helps to ensure trust and stability for the users.
According to James Hodgkins of HBAR, Inc. this integration has great benefits. It will enable BTC holders to be a part of BTCFi on Hedera. They are able to do this without fear of frontrunning or MEV. This gives an institutional-grade experience to all the participants.
The collaboration helps to put the industry-leading tokenized version of Bitcoin on Hedera’s network. This partnership includes Hedera Council member BitGo, BiT Global and LayerZero. This combined effort improves the ecosystem.
HBAR Price Predictions and Hedera’s DeFi Evolution
As of November 14, 2025, there are slightly different price predictions for HBAR by different sources. Estimates to be somewhere around the $0.16 to $0.18 range. Some predictions are that it may be able to go up further toward the end of the month. According to CoinMarketCap data, the HBAR is trading at around $0.159819.
James Hodgkins, Chief Growth Officer, HBAR, Inc., a subsidiary of Hedera Foundation SEZC commented on the development: He stated, “With the arrival of canonical WBTC on Hedera, available via Stargate Finance, the massive amount of idle Bitcoin liquidity can now participate in Hedera DeFi.” He added that BTC holders will gain access to BTCFi without worrying about frontrunning or MEV. Moreover, this gives them a safer and more efficient experience. This provides for a best-in-class experience for large capital allocators.
Hodgkins stressed, “This milestone is an attestation to Hedera’s evolution in DeFi.” “It clearly demonstrates the trust that the world’s most trusted Bitcoin standard places on the strength and potential growth of the network.” This shows the importance of the integration to the entire Heder system.
Simon Baksys, the Vice President of Business Development at LayerZero also gave his take. “Bitcoin is one of the hardest assets in the world,” he said. “For it to achieve full potential it must be able to move freely.” He concluded, “WBTC on Hedera, backed by LayerZero, is a highly significant mark.” It makes Bitcoin genuinely borderless.” This vision of seamless movement of Bitcoin is the importance of such cross-chain integrations.