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Citrea Goes Live: ZK‑Powered Bitcoin Layer 2 Officially Launches Mainnet

TL;DR

• Mainnet Launch: Citrea activates a zero‑knowledge Bitcoin Layer 2 that brings lending, trading, and settlement directly onto the Bitcoin Network while introducing its ctUSD stablecoin for native financial operations.
• Trust-Minimized Bridge: The Clementine bridge uses BitVM and zero‑knowledge proofs to deliver cBTC, removing reliance on multi‑sig custodians and enabling a fully programmable Bitcoin environment.
• Ecosystem Expansion: With 30+ ₿apps, partnerships with Morpho, UltraYield, and Keyrock, and ctUSD backed by US Treasuries for GENIUS Act compliance.
  

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Citrea has officially launched its mainnet, introducing a zero‑knowledge-powered Bitcoin Layer 2 designed to activate long‑dormant Bitcoin liquidity and bring capital markets directly onto the network. Backed by Founders Fund and Galaxy, the rollup debuts alongside its native ctUSD stablecoin, aiming to give institutions and users a way to lend, trade, and settle without leaving Bitcoin. The project positions itself as the first fully programmable Bitcoin application layer built to eliminate trust-heavy intermediaries while enabling deeper financial engagement with BTC.

1/8 Today, Citrea Mainnet Goes Live

We are officially live with the first Bitcoin application layer that enables institutions and individuals to lend, trade, and settle directly on the Bitcoin Network.

Start your journey with Citrea Dashboard: https://t.co/adOsBrrFVb pic.twitter.com/DISDyxlzBG

— Citrea (@citrea_xyz) January 27, 2026

A New Architecture for Bitcoin-Native Financial Activity

Citrea’s design centers on two core product categories: BTC-backed lending and structured products. Its zkEVM batches thousands of transactions off-chain and posts zero‑knowledge proofs to Bitcoin, allowing developers to deploy Ethereum-style smart contracts while relying on Bitcoin for settlement and data availability. Chainway Labs CEO Orkun Kilic said the mainnet enables capital to be deployed and settled directly within Bitcoin-native markets, with ctUSD acting as the bridge to fiat systems for lending and institutional credit.

Trust-Minimized Bridging Through BitVM and Clementine

A key differentiator is Citrea’s Clementine bridge, launched in 2025 using BitVM to avoid the multi-signature trust assumptions common in earlier Bitcoin bridges. This architecture enables cBTC, the first trust-minimized BTC on a fully programmable Bitcoin layer. By removing custodial dependencies, Citrea aims to deliver a security model aligned with Bitcoin’s ethos while expanding the network’s financial utility.

ctUSD as the Liquidity Standard for Bitcoin Capital Markets

Citrea’s ctUSD stablecoin, issued by MoonPay and powered by M0’s infrastructure, is fully backed by short-term US Treasury bills and cash to meet GENIUS Act requirements. The token provides unified stablecoin liquidity for Bitcoin applications and offers banking rails between on-chain collateral and off-chain fiat systems. It is available in the U.S. outside New York and in more than 160 countries, excluding Canada and the EEA.

Ecosystem Growth Backed by Major Investors and DeFi Partners

Citrea debuts with more than 30 Bitcoin-native applications, including lending infrastructure built with Morpho and UltraYield, and structured products developed with Keyrock. Galaxy’s Will Nuelle said Citrea strengthens Bitcoin’s role in global financial systems by making BTC a more active financial asset. Chainway previously raised $14 million from Founders Fund and other prominent investors to support this vision.