In a major move to redefine Bitcoin’s role in decentralized finance, Core Ventures the investment arm of the Core Foundation has quietly invested over $1 million into 15 Bitcoin-aligned projects since its launch in early 2024, crypto.news can exclusively report.
The initiative marks a bold attempt to transform Bitcoin (BTC) from a passive store-of-value into an active financial infrastructure, unlocking use cases such as lending, staking, stablecoins, and broader DeFi participation.
Powering the Growth of BTCFi
Fueled by an industry-wide push toward Bitcoin-based DeFi (BTCFi), Core Ventures is capitalizing on the momentum: since January 2024, the total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin-based DeFi protocols has skyrocketed by 2,700%, reflecting rapid user and developer adoption.
Core Ventures’ portfolio spans key verticals in BTCFi, including:
- Lending and Borrowing
- Staking and Yield Strategies
- DeFi Infrastructure
- Real-World Asset Tokenization
- Bitcoin-Backed Stablecoins
Standout investments include:
- Colend: A lending and borrowing protocol built on Core, boasting $170M in TVL and a first-of-its-kind Web3 credit card.
- Solv Protocol: A platform offering liquid staking, yield products, and Bitcoin fund management.
- BitFLUX: A liquidity aggregator designed to generate BTC-based yields, incubated directly by Core Ventures.
Other notable entries in the portfolio include Sats Terminal, a DeFi aggregator for Bitcoin-native tools, and BIMA Labs, the developer behind USBD, a Bitcoin-backed universal stablecoin aimed at cross-chain utility. Many of these projects have received co-investment from prominent firms like Coinbase Ventures, OKX Ventures, and Draper Associates.
“We’re Here to Fund the Builders”
Speaking on the fund’s mission, Brendon Sedo, Initial Contributor at Core DAO and Head of Core Ventures, said:
“Core Ventures is here to back the innovative apps, tools, and protocols that make the system truly useful. We’re not here to debate opcodes. We’re here to fund the people actually shipping.”
This pragmatic, execution-first philosophy aligns with Core Ventures’ emphasis on supporting builders who are delivering real, scalable infrastructure rather than remaining stuck in theoretical development stages.
Core Chain: The Technical Backbone of Bitcoin DeFi
At the center of the movement is Core Chain, a Proof-of-Work-secured, EVM-compatible blockchain that allows for non-custodial Bitcoin staking. With over 6,000 BTC staked, 50,000+ daily users, and $500M+ in total value locked, Core Chain underpins the largest and most active BTCFi ecosystem to date.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Bitcoin Utility
Core Ventures is set to continue deploying capital into projects that enhance Bitcoin’s programmability, with a focus on:
- Lending and Collateralization
- Decentralized Identity (DID)
- Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs)
The team’s approach favors projects that are already building and delivering, reinforcing their commitment to practical utility over speculative promise.
As Bitcoin evolves beyond digital gold into a programmable, financial operating system, Core Ventures is emerging as a key catalyst for innovation across the BTCFi space.
