The world of cryptocurrency continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with Bitcoin (BTC) maintaining its dominance while new financial layers like BTCFi (Bitcoin Finance) emerge to unlock real utility and yield. At the forefront of this transformation is Core, a blockchain platform redefining how institutions and developers interact with Bitcoin through innovative staking mechanisms, decentralized finance integration, and strategic partnerships.
This article dives deep into the latest developments shaping Core’s ecosystem in 2025 — from its groundbreaking dual staking model and institutional-grade liquidity solutions to surging developer activity and expanding alliances across Asia and North America.
What Is Core and Why It Matters in the BTCFi Landscape
Core is more than just another Layer 1 blockchain — it's a purpose-built network designed to bring sustainable yield and institutional accessibility to Bitcoin. Unlike traditional proof-of-stake chains, Core leverages Bitcoin’s security and decentralization while enabling native yield generation through advanced protocols such as dual staking, liquid staking tokens (LSTs), and BTC-backed DeFi applications.
With Bitcoin historically lacking native yield opportunities, Core bridges that gap by allowing users to earn rewards without sacrificing custody or security. This innovation has positioned Core as a central player in the growing BTCFi narrative, attracting developers, institutional investors, and major financial infrastructure providers.
Fusion Upgrade: The Catalyst for Core’s Growth
In November 2024, the Fusion upgrade went live, marking a pivotal moment for the Core ecosystem. This major protocol enhancement introduced two transformative features:
- Dual Staking: Users can now stake both BTC and CORE tokens simultaneously, earning compounded rewards while preserving full control over their assets.
- LstBTC: A 1:1 Bitcoin-backed ERC-20 token that enables liquidity for staked BTC, allowing holders to participate in DeFi activities without unstaking.
According to data from Messari, the impact was immediate and significant:
- DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) surged 90% quarter-over-quarter, reaching $811.8 million.
- Daily active addresses spiked by 160%, hitting nearly 250,000.
- Over 1,298 BTC and 16.5 million CORE were locked in dual staking within the first quarter post-upgrade.
These metrics signal strong adoption and validate Core’s technical roadmap in making Bitcoin a productive asset.
Institutional Adoption Accelerates Through Strategic Partnerships
Core’s appeal isn’t limited to retail users — institutions are increasingly integrating Core’s infrastructure into their digital asset strategies.
Cobo Partnership Expands Asian Market Access
In March 2025, Core Foundation announced a collaboration with Cobo, a leading custodial services provider in Asia. This partnership enables institutional clients to securely access dual staking through managed accounts, combining regulatory compliance with high-yield opportunities. With Cobo supporting over 4,000 BTC in institutional staking, this alliance significantly broadens Core’s reach across Asian markets.
Maple Finance and Custody Giants Launch IstBTC
Earlier in February 2025, Core joined forces with Maple Finance, BitGo, Copper, and Hex Trust to launch IstBTC, a trust-native liquid staking solution tailored for institutions. IstBTC allows enterprises to earn yield on their BTC holdings while remaining within their trusted custody environment — eliminating exposure to smart contract risks.
Maple plans to issue a tradable version of IstBTC, enabling firms to use staked Bitcoin as collateral in DeFi lending or over-the-counter (OTC) financing arrangements.
Developer Ecosystem Flourishes in 2025
A thriving developer community is essential for long-term blockchain sustainability — and Core is seeing explosive growth in this area.
Since launching the Core Commit Program in October 2024 — a global developer incentive initiative backed by Google, UTXO, and Foresight Ventures — more than 10,000 developers have enrolled in training courses, with over 2,000 actively building on the network.
To date, the ecosystem has deployed more than 31,000 smart contracts, signaling robust innovation momentum. The program offered $75,000 in CORE-denominated grants and mentorship from top-tier venture partners.
Additionally, the recent launch of the stCORE restaking initiative with Pell Network offers users up to 5x Sparks rewards and enhanced loyalty points for locking staked CORE tokens — further incentivizing participation and liquidity retention.
Financial Products and Market Expansion
Beyond infrastructure and development, Core is making waves in regulated financial markets.
CoreFi Strategy: A Regulated Path to BTC + CORE Yield
DeFi Technologies launched CoreFi Strategy Corp, a new entity modeled after MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin investment approach but with added exposure to CORE token yields. In January 2025, DeFi Technologies revealed it still holds 1.7 million CORE tokens despite portfolio rebalancing, underscoring continued confidence in the ecosystem.
Furthermore, a binding letter of intent was signed between DeFi Technologies, CoreFi Strategy, and Orinswift Ventures aiming for a reverse takeover listing on the Cboe Canada Exchange. As part of the deal, the Core Foundation will contribute $20 million worth of CORE tokens to strengthen the treasury.
This move could pave the way for broader institutional access through compliant exchange-traded products (ETPs), including yield-generating Bitcoin ETPs built on Core’s dual staking framework.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is dual staking on Core?
A: Dual staking allows users to stake both BTC and CORE tokens simultaneously, earning compounded rewards while retaining full custody of their assets via non-custodial wallets.
Q: How does LstBTC work?
A: LstBTC is a 1:1 Bitcoin-backed token issued when BTC is staked on Core. It represents ownership of staked BTC and accrues daily yield, which can be used across DeFi platforms for lending, trading, or borrowing.
Q: Is Core safe for institutional use?
A: Yes. Through partnerships with trusted custodians like Cobo, BitGo, Copper, and Hex Trust, Core offers secure, compliant pathways for institutions to engage with BTCFi without exposing themselves to unnecessary operational or smart contract risks.
Q: Can I participate in staking without technical knowledge?
A: Absolutely. While advanced users can run nodes directly, most participants use trusted interfaces or custodial solutions that simplify the process. The ecosystem is designed for accessibility across skill levels.
Q: What makes Core different from other Bitcoin sidechains?
A: Unlike many sidechains that rely on federated security models, Core emphasizes decentralization and direct integration with Bitcoin’s consensus layer. Its dual staking model also uniquely combines native BTC yield with utility token incentives (CORE), creating a sustainable economic loop.
Q: Where can I track CORE price and market data?
A: Real-time price charts, trading volume, and market cap for CORE are available on major crypto tracking platforms. For on-chain analytics, tools like PundiScan (now updated for Pundi AIFX Omnilayer) offer transparency into network activity.
Looking Ahead: The Future of BTCFi on Core
As Bitcoin transitions from a speculative asset to a foundational layer of global finance, platforms like Core are critical enablers of its next evolutionary phase. By solving the long-standing challenge of native Bitcoin yield, fostering institutional trust through secure custody integrations, and empowering developers with scalable tools and funding, Core is building the infrastructure for a truly functional Bitcoin economy.
With growing momentum in Asia, expanding product offerings in regulated markets, and continuous protocol innovation, 2025 could be the year BTCFi goes mainstream — powered by Core’s vision of an open, accessible, and yield-bearing Bitcoin future.