CoreDAO Defi Ecosystem Grows 40% in Q1 With 1.1B CORE TVL and lstBTC Launch

Bitcoin Finance is entering a new phase, and Solv and Core are at the center of it. As Core’s DeFi ecosystem gains traction, SolvBTC.CORE has emerged as the largest asset on Colend, Core’s premier lending protocol. The growth is part of a broader alignment between Solv Protocol and CoreDAO as they reshape how Bitcoin can generate yield through innovative onchain strategies. Driven by a suite of yield-enhancing tools, including Core’s native Dual Staking and the upcoming lstBTC token, this partnership is pushing Bitcoin Finance into new territory, making BTC a productive asset while maintaining decentralization.

SolvBTC.CORE Leads Core Lending Landscape

SolvBTC.CORE’s dominance on Colend underscores the rising demand for structured Bitcoin yield products. As of Q1 2025, Core’s DeFi TVL, denominated in CORE, grew 40% quarter-over-quarter to reach 1.1 billion CORE. Colend led the charge with 266.5 million CORE in TVL, outpacing other major Core-native protocols like Pell Network and BitFLUX.

At the same time, the total value of staked CORE and BTC fell 17% QoQ to $629.1 million, due primarily to declining prices. Yet, the increase in CORE staked (+3%) indicates ongoing belief in Core’s long-term potential. Notably, 35% of BTC stakers were also staking CORE to access Dual Staking rewards, with the top 9% of stakers contributing 59% of all dual-staked CORE, an indicator of heavy interest in yield-maximizing strategies.

Dual Staking and lstBTC Fuel Bitcoin Finance Surge

Core’s Dual Staking model is at the heart of this Bitcoin Finance evolution. The mechanism allows BTC holders to boost their staking rewards by also staking CORE tokens. With tiers like Boost, Super, and Satoshi, the more CORE staked relative to BTC, the higher the yield multiplier. In March, CoreDAO approved a proposal to raise CORE requirements for each reward tier, incentivizing deeper CORE participation. 

Despite just 9% of dual stakers qualifying for the highest “Satoshi” tier, they contribute nearly 60% of dual-staked CORE, highlighting strong yield appetite among power users. Looking ahead, the lstBTC token, announced in partnership with Maple Finance, promises to unlock liquid yield opportunities. Issued on the Core network and backed by self-custodial BTC staking, lstBTC enables BTC holders to retain liquidity while earning passive yield. Institutional partners like BitGo and Copper are expected to onboard, further institutionalizing Bitcoin Finance.

Core’s Unique Positioning in BTCFi

Core’s edge lies in its technical foundation: Satoshi Plus consensus, EVM compatibility, and native support for Bitcoin staking. Unlike merge-mined sidechains, Core combines Delegated Proof-of-Work (via Bitcoin miners), Delegated Proof-of-Stake (via CORE holders), and Self-Custodial BTC Staking using Bitcoin’s own scripting. The result is a decentralized yet programmable environment where Bitcoin becomes not just collateral, but a yield-generating force.

Even with a 27% QoQ drop in daily transactions and a 25% fall in active addresses, Core closed Q1 with 46.1 million unique wallets, a 32% growth. stCORE, Core’s liquid staking token, also grew 57% QoQ, reflecting demand for capital-efficient staking mechanisms.

Solv and Core Are Rewriting Bitcoin’s Future

Solv Protocol’s strategic alignment with CoreDAO is more than a partnership, it’s a blueprint for the next generation of Bitcoin Finance. As SolvBTC.CORE becomes the leading asset on Colend, Dual Staking gains momentum, and lstBTC nears launch, Bitcoin holders are finally seeing tools that make their BTC work harder without compromising custody or decentralization. With institutional and retail interest growing, Core and Solv may very well become the backbone of an entirely new BTCFi economy.