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Bitcoin testnet bridge: swap BTC to EVM & back
Native BTC finally moves across chains without wrapped tokens. We'll walk through how the signet and testnet routes work, why atomic swaps matter here, and how to convert WBTC to BTC during testing.
Bridges
Numbers
Proven performance
TL;DR
Key takeaways
Swap Bitcoin to 30+ EVM chains and back, now testable in Symbiosis' testnet and signet environment
Earlier you could only swap tokens like USDT or ETH into BTC; now Bitcoin moves both directions
Behind the scenes, smart contracts, relayers, and oracles mint sBTC, then release real BTC to your wallet
Set amount, slippage, and a Bitcoin address; the protocol tracks and confirms the transfer for you
Try the faucet routes today and share feedback before the mainnet launch arrives this June
1 minute reading
Bridges
Native BTC swaps both ways on Symbiosis
No need for further introduction of the asset we bring extremely soon to Symbiosis. The pioneer in crypto history, the greatest asset and one of the driving powers in the DeFi ecosystem - Bitcoin.
Taking it one of the main priorities and dedicating required resources to this integration, we’re ready to unveil the compound Bitcoin Bridge at Symbiosis that is currently available in Testnet.
Octopus is ready to connect 30+ blockchain networks with Bitcoin and its native asset BTC
The presence of native Bitcoin at Symbiosis
Previously, we have been supporting the exchange of assets across supported blockchain networks only in one-way route - to BTC. In other words, users were able to swap such tokens as USDT, USDC, ETH and many others to Bitcoin, while bridging Bitcoin to EVM assets was not supported before.
The goal for the new version of our Bitcoin bridge is to connect BTC to all thirty networks across Symbiosis and, what’s important, to enable Native Bitcoin swaps from EVM-like blockchains and to them, vice versa.
It’s about time we step closer to the full cross-chain presence of Bitcoin in Symbiosis Protocol. We’re thrilled to release the first version of Any-to-Any Native BTC Bridge at Symbiosis in the Testnet environment!
Native Bitcoin to and from EVM bridge is live on testne
It’s time to unveil the upcoming full cross-chain version of Bitcoin bridge at Symbiosis. For a limited amount of time the EVM-BTC-EVM bridge will be available just in testnet.
Current implementations of Bitcoin bridge to multiple blockchain networks are either not supported by most popular bridge protocols or require paying high gas and exchange fees at some of the centralized exchanges.
This is where Symbiosis steps into the game: BTC <> EVM bridge protocol will allow not only a cheap cross-chain token exchange but will also provide DeFi functionality for pegged Bitcoin assets on EVM chains and vice versa!
Gateway to the new Bitcoin bridge
You can access it via this link in the Testnet environment at Symbiosis WebApp.
The process of swapping Bitcoin to supported tokens on EVM-like networks will resemble the flow of standard exchange of assets at Symbiosis:
You will specify the amount to exchange, slippage tolerance, the address on the Bitcoin network;
After that, the magic of smart contract, relayers network and oracles at Symbiosis will be in effect as there will be stated timeframe to process exchange and Symbiosis protocol will track the data to confirm the transfer;
With the help of minting sBTC and interacting with the Symbiosis’ Octopools, the protocol will release the final amount of BTC to your wallet’s address. Voila!
Here are some of the faucets you can test now:
We delve deeper into the technical aspect of how Octopool and Smart Contracts work at Symbiosis. Head over to Symbiosis Docs to learn more about our Bitcoin swaps’ architecture.
Migrating BTC bridge to mainnet - coming soon
Full availability of Bitcoin swaps from and to any EVM network is coming in a matter of time at Symbiosis. We have to take time and perform several test sessions to ensure that all exchanges are done properly and bridging BTC to any supported tokens is smooth and in its best version.
This June will be an exciting time for Symbiotes and the Bitcoin ecosystem!
Stay tuned - enter Symbiosis community
If you’re not in Symbiosis Community, you’re getting only half of the story
Be the first to know about Bitcoin-EVM Bridge coming to Mainnet and share the feedback on its Testnet implementations in our Telegram and Discord communities where all things are discussed with Symbiotes.
In DeFi we trust
Board Member
FAQs
Got questions?
Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll help you out.
01
What is a Bitcoin bridge and how does it work?
A Bitcoin bridge is a cross-chain protocol that moves BTC value between Bitcoin and other networks. At Symbiosis, smart contracts, a relayers network, and oracles process the transfer, minting sBTC and using Octopools to release the final BTC amount to your wallet. It connects Bitcoin with 30+ blockchain networks.
02
How do I swap BTC to an Ethereum or EVM chain?
On the Symbiosis WebApp, you specify the amount, slippage tolerance, and destination address, then the protocol handles minting and routing behind the scenes. The EVM-BTC-EVM bridge is currently live in the Testnet environment, with mainnet coming soon. This enables native BTC swaps to and from EVM-like blockchains.
03
Can I test the Bitcoin signet/testnet bridge officially?
Yes, Symbiosis has released the first version of its Any-to-Any Native BTC Bridge in the Testnet environment for a limited time. You can try faucet routes like Bitcoin to Sepolia and Sepolia to BTC directly in the Symbiosis WebApp. Mainnet availability is coming after several test sessions.
04
How do I convert WBTC back to BTC?
Bridging back uses a burn-and-redeem flow: you send the wrapped or pegged BTC token back through the bridge, it is burned on the EVM side, and the corresponding BTC is released on the Bitcoin side. At Symbiosis, the protocol releases native BTC to your specified Bitcoin address via its Octopools. This is subject to network fees and any slippage.
05
Can I bridge BTC into DeFi on EVM chains?
The Symbiosis BTC to EVM bridge not only enables cheap cross-chain swaps but also provides DeFi functionality for pegged Bitcoin assets on EVM chains and vice versa. This lets BTC holders use their value in EVM ecosystems for trading, lending, or yield strategies that aren't available directly on Bitcoin.
06
What happens to your Bitcoin when you bridge it to Ethereum?
The bridge locks your BTC on the Bitcoin side and mints an equivalent tokenized representation on the EVM chain, typically at a 1:1 peg. The process is reversible: the bridge burns the minted token to release your original BTC on the way back, subject to bridge fees and slippage.
07
Can I bridge BTC natively from a Bitcoin wallet?
You generally don't bridge natively from the Bitcoin protocol itself. Bridge interfaces commonly connect an EVM wallet like MetaMask or Trust Wallet for the destination, while you send BTC from your Bitcoin wallet to an address specified by the service. The bridge then handles the cross-chain mechanics behind the scenes.
08
How long does bridging Bitcoin to an EVM chain take?
Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridging usually takes around 5 to 15 minutes, though actual time depends on Bitcoin confirmation policy and bridge design. At Symbiosis, there is a stated timeframe to process the exchange while the protocol tracks data to confirm the transfer.
Learn more
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