Threshold Network Launches Stake-Based Fee Waivers for tBTC Bridge
Threshold Network Launches Stake-Based Fee Waivers for tBTC Bridge
🔓 Bitcoin bridge fees just changed
Threshold Network has introduced a stake-based fee waiver mechanism for its tBTC bridge, allowing users who stake T tokens to reduce or eliminate the standard 20 basis point redemption fee.
Key Details:
- Redemption fees can be partially or fully offset by staking T tokens on the new Threshold App
- Minting tBTC remains free of charge
- Participation in the fee waiver program is opt-in
- The mechanism aims to tighten BTC-tBTC pricing spreads and reduce execution friction
How It Works: Users can stake T tokens to receive fee waivers when redeeming tBTC back to native Bitcoin. The bridge's core operations remain unchanged - tBTC continues to be backed 1:1 by Bitcoin held through a decentralized network using threshold cryptography.
The update addresses a key friction point in the tBTC ecosystem by making redemptions more cost-effective for active participants, potentially improving liquidity and price efficiency across Bitcoin markets.
Decrypt Media covered the launch, noting how the mechanism supports tBTC's on-chain performance without altering the bridge's decentralized custody model.
Threshold DeFi TVL Drops to $427M in Q4
Threshold's DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) closed Q4 at **$427M**, marking a **3% quarter-over-quarter decline** in USD terms. The drop was largely driven by Bitcoin's price movement rather than user behavior. While BTC fell **23% QoQ**, the underlying tBTC supply only decreased by **7%**, suggesting users maintained their positions despite market volatility. This divergence indicates that the TVL decline reflects market conditions rather than reduced confidence in the protocol. The relatively modest supply decrease compared to BTC's price drop shows continued demand for decentralized Bitcoin wrapping services.
tBTC Lending Pool on Aave Holds $1.45M in Total Value Locked
**Aave continues to serve as the primary lending venue for tBTC**, allowing Bitcoin holders to use their assets as collateral for liquidity without selling. **Current metrics:** - Total Value Locked: $1,453,822.69 - Category: Lending **Growth context:** - Since tBTC's September 2024 listing on Aave, DeFi TVL grew approximately 70% - Reached around $160M in collateral by Q4 2025 - tBTC supply on Aave increased 2.5x throughout 2025, from roughly 700 BTC to around 1,800 BTC The lending pool enables participants to maintain their Bitcoin exposure while accessing DeFi liquidity through decentralized collateralization.
Threshold's Unified Bitcoin App: Faster Redemptions and Cross-Chain Control
**Threshold Network has launched its Unified Bitcoin App**, consolidating all tBTC operations into a single platform. According to Co-Founder Callan Sarre, the app's key differentiators include: - **Accelerated redemption times** for converting tBTC back to BTC - **End-to-end Bitcoin functionality** in one interface - **Real-time tracking** of deposits, minting, redemptions, and staking **The Unified Bitcoin Router** now connects BTC across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Sui, and Starknet. All transactions are resumable, reducing multi-step cross-chain failure risks. The platform offers **staking-aware fee waivers** and full visibility over wallet activity. This infrastructure strengthens Threshold's trust-minimized approach to cross-chain Bitcoin mobility, moving beyond simple asset issuance to coordinated Bitcoin movement across multiple blockchains. Learn more: [threshold.network/blog/threshold-unified-bitcoin-router](http://threshold.network/blog/threshold-unified-bitcoin-router/)
🔒 Threshold Doubles Down
**Threshold Network** has renewed its security partnership with **Immunefi** to strengthen protocol safety as it scales. The collaboration expands security coverage across: - Newly released applications - Threshold website - Continuous vulnerability monitoring **Key benefits include:** - Access to Web3's largest vulnerability database - Earlier threat detection capabilities - Unified security dashboard for risk monitoring - Coordinated response across protocol surface area The partnership supports **responsible disclosure** processes and maintains defensive readiness as usage grows. This move reinforces Threshold's commitment to **enterprise-grade security** standards in the decentralized Bitcoin ecosystem.