Welcome to the definitive guide for performing cross-chain transactions on Bitlayer, the fully EVM-compatible Bitcoin Layer 2 network. Whether you're new to blockchain or an experienced user, this step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the entire Bitlayer bridge-in process with clarity and precision.
As a Bitcoin L2 scaling solution, Bitlayer enables BTC holders to unlock DeFi, smart contracts, and high-speed transactions while remaining anchored to Bitcoin’s security. To participate, you’ll need to bridge your BTC from the main Bitcoin chain into the Bitlayer ecosystem. Let’s get started.
🔧 Prerequisites for Cross-Chain on Bitlayer
Before initiating any cross-chain activity, ensure you have the following ready:
- BTC in your wallet – Required for bridging and fees
- Unisat Wallet – The currently supported BTC wallet for Bitlayer
- An EVM-compatible wallet – Such as MetaMask, OKX Wallet, or Bitget Wallet
👉 Start bridging your BTC to Bitlayer today with a secure EVM wallet setup.
Bitlayer supports seamless integration between Bitcoin wallets and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) environments. While Unisat Wallet handles your BTC assets, your EVM wallet will manage interactions within Bitlayer’s DeFi and dApp ecosystem.
If you don’t yet have an EVM wallet, creating one takes only minutes and follows a similar process to setting up Unisat Wallet. Just download the extension, create a secure seed phrase, and confirm your recovery words.
🚀 Step-by-Step: How to Bridge BTC to Bitlayer
Follow these clear steps to successfully complete your cross-chain transfer from Bitcoin to Bitlayer.
Step 1: Visit the Official Bitlayer Bridge
Navigate to the official Bitlayer website: https://www.bitlayer.org/
Click on “Bridge & Earn” to access the cross-chain bridge interface.
⚠️ Security Tip: Always verify the correct domain. Scammers often create fake sites with similar URLs. Only use links shared through Bitlayer’s official social media channels.
Step 2: Connect Your Unisat Wallet
Click “Connect Wallet”, then select “UniSat Wallet” from the options.
Your browser extension will prompt you to approve the connection—confirm to proceed.
Once connected, your BTC address and balance will be visible on the bridge interface.
Step 3: Enter the BTC Amount to Bridge
Input the amount of BTC you wish to transfer to Bitlayer. Keep these two critical requirements in mind:
- Minimum deposit: 0.0005 BTC (approximately 35 USDT equivalent)
- Cross-chain fee: 0.00015 BTC (deducted from your total)
Ensure the amount you enter is less than your total balance to cover the network fee. For example, if you have 0.0006 BTC, you can only bridge up to 0.00045 BTC.
Step 4: Connect Your EVM-Compatible Wallet
Click “Connect Wallet” again—this time to link your EVM wallet (e.g., MetaMask, OKX Wallet, or Bitget Wallet).
Choose your preferred option and follow the prompts to authorize the connection.
👉 Securely connect your EVM wallet and begin exploring Bitlayer’s DeFi opportunities.
This dual-wallet setup ensures that your BTC is securely transferred from the Bitcoin network while enabling full functionality within Bitlayer’s EVM environment.
Step 5: Finalize the Transfer
After both wallets are linked:
- Click “Next”, then confirm by clicking “Link”
- Once confirmed, click “Transfer”
- Your Unisat Wallet extension will pop up—review the transaction and click “Sign”
The bridge process is now initiated. You’ll see a transaction status window appear.
🕒 Understanding Transaction Status
After signing:
- “Pending” means your cross-chain request is being processed.
Processing time varies based on Bitcoin network congestion—typically takes 10–30 minutes. - “Completed” indicates successful bridging.
Your BTC is now available as bBTC (bridged BTC) on the Bitlayer network.
The displayed arrow icon shows your Bitlayer BTC address, where funds have been credited.
📌 Note: The example shown in some guides uses 0.00011 BTC for testing—this is below the minimum threshold and should not be used in production. Always adhere to the 0.0005 BTC minimum.
🔍 Core Keywords for SEO & User Search Intent
To ensure this guide ranks well and meets user needs, here are the primary SEO keywords naturally integrated throughout:
- Bitlayer cross-chain bridge
- Bridge BTC to Bitlayer
- Bitcoin Layer 2 tutorial
- Unisat Wallet connection
- EVM-compatible Bitcoin L2
- Bitlayer bridge-in guide
- BTC bridging fee
- How to use Bitlayer Bridge
These terms reflect common search queries from users exploring Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions and cross-chain interoperability.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Bitlayer?
A: Bitlayer is a fully EVM-compatible Layer 2 scaling solution built for Bitcoin. It allows BTC holders to participate in DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts while maintaining Bitcoin-level security through secure bridging mechanisms.
Q2: Why do I need both Unisat Wallet and an EVM wallet?
A: Unisat Wallet manages your native BTC assets on the Bitcoin network. The EVM wallet (like MetaMask) interacts with Bitlayer’s Ethereum-compatible environment. Together, they enable seamless cross-chain functionality.
Q3: Is there a minimum amount to bridge?
Yes. The minimum bridging amount is 0.0005 BTC, roughly equivalent to 35 USDT depending on market rates. Transactions below this threshold will be rejected.
Q4: How much is the cross-chain fee?
The current cross-chain fee is 0.00015 BTC, which covers verification and relaying of your transaction across chains. This fee is subject to change based on network conditions.
Q5: Can I bridge assets other than BTC?
Currently, the official Bitlayer bridge only supports BTC. Support for additional assets is under development and will be announced officially in the future.
Q6: How do I avoid phishing scams when using the bridge?
Always access the bridge via the official domain: https://www.bitlayer.org/. Never click on links from unknown sources or social media DMs. Bookmark the site and verify SSL security before connecting any wallet.
🧩 Final Thoughts: Unlocking Bitcoin’s Potential with Bitlayer
By completing this bridge-in process, you’ve taken a powerful step into the next generation of Bitcoin innovation. Bitlayer empowers BTC holders to move beyond simple transfers and dive into decentralized finance, yield opportunities, and programmable money—all without leaving Bitcoin’s trusted foundation.
As more tools and assets become available, early adopters will benefit from first-mover advantages in liquidity mining, staking, and community governance.
👉 Maximize your bridged BTC with advanced trading and wallet tools on OKX.
✅ Summary Checklist
Before you go, use this quick checklist to ensure success:
- [ ] Unisat Wallet installed and funded with ≥ 0.0005 BTC
- [ ] EVM wallet (MetaMask/OKX/Bitget) created and ready
- [ ] Visited official site: https://www.bitlayer.org/
- [ ] Entered correct amount (after deducting 0.00015 BTC fee)
- [ ] Signed transaction via Unisat extension
- [ ] Monitored status until “Completed”
Now that your assets are on Bitlayer, explore dApps, swap tokens, provide liquidity, or simply hold your bBTC in a high-security environment.
Welcome to the future of Bitcoin—powered by Bitlayer.