Elastos, a prominent Web3 infrastructure provider, has successfully concluded a $20 million investment round led by Rollman Management Digital, a global investment network known for its early support of blockchain projects like Ripple and Ethereum. This significant funding positions Elastos among Rollman’s top five holdings.
In the second quarter of 2024, Elastos introduced its DeFi protocol for Bitcoin, enabling users to leverage their BTC holdings as collateral to access Ethereum smart contracts. This integration allows for seamless token swaps and various decentralized finance functionalities, bridging the gap between Bitcoin’s robust security and Ethereum’s versatile smart contract capabilities.
Elastos joins a growing list of companies aiming to bring DeFi functionalities to the Bitcoin network. Established layer-2 solutions such as Stacks, RSK, and Babylon have already developed native Bitcoin ecosystems, enhancing the cryptocurrency’s utility beyond its traditional use cases.
The Bitcoin DeFi landscape is experiencing significant growth, with the total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin surpassing $7.2 billion as of January 30, 2025. This surge reflects the increasing demand for decentralized financial services centered around Bitcoin.
The rising institutional interest in Bitcoin, bolstered by the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024, has further fueled this expansion. Currently, U.S. Bitcoin ETFs manage over $124 billion in assets, indicating a strong appetite for Bitcoin-based financial products.
Jacob Phillips, co-founder of the BTC staking protocol Lombard, highlighted the potential for innovative DeFi strategies utilizing Bitcoin as collateral, suggesting a promising future for Bitcoin-centric decentralized finance.
Elastos’ recent funding round underscores the growing momentum in integrating Bitcoin into the DeFi ecosystem, offering users enhanced financial tools while leveraging Bitcoin’s security and widespread recognition.