Key Highlights
- Alpen Labs receives a grant from the Starknet Foundation to develop a shared verifier for the Bitcoin ecosystem.
- Glock technology promises a significant reduction in on-chain verification costs compared to previous models like BitVM.
- The initiative aims to enable native staking and borrowing for Bitcoin without the need for wrapped assets or multisig setups.
Starknet partners with Bitcoin BTC $110,904 24h volatility: 0.4% Market cap: $2.21 trillion Vol. 24h: $77.65 billion research firm Alpen Labs to build a secure bridge connecting the two networks.
The partnership, announced on October 15, aims to unlock advanced DeFi capabilities for Bitcoin holders on the Starknet platform.
1/ Wrapped BTC laid the foundation, but it’s time for the next phase.
Together with @AlpenLabs, we’re creating a trust-minimized bridge between Bitcoin and DeFi.
No intermediaries. Just pure, verifiable BTC on Starknet š§µ pic.twitter.com/a1bWzrgZgW
ā Starknet (BTCFi arc) (@Starknet) October 15, 2025
A Novel Security Approach for Bitcoin Protection
This initiative moves away from traditional bridging models that may pose security risks.
Glock utilizes a two-party computation protocol based on garbled circuits to ensure secure verification without revealing private inputs.
Starknet’s Vision as a Bitcoin Hub
The collaboration with Alpen Labs aligns with Starknet’s commitment to scaling Bitcoin through its “BTCFi on Starknet” initiative.
The Starknet Foundation awarded a grant to Alpen Labs for the development of a shared Glock verifier, aiming to benefit the broader Bitcoin ecosystem.
Supported by a 100 million STRK incentives program, Alpen Labs’ technology offers high efficiency, with Glock25 variants achieving significant improvements over previous models.
The new bridge allows users to stake and borrow Bitcoin without the need for wrapping the asset, receiving positive feedback from the crypto community.
This development comes amidst market volatility, with recent liquidations totaling over $19.35 billion.
Related article: Bitcoin Finally Fills the CME Gap, Here’s What to Expect Next
Institutional interest remains strong, as evidenced by Strategy Inc.’s ongoing accumulation of 220 BTC.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker provides unbiased reporting and does not offer financial advice. Readers are advised to verify information independently and consult with a professional before making investment decisions based on this content.