Citrea Launches Testnet to Enable Bitcoin-Based Decentralized Applications
Citrea has launched its public testnet, creating a solution to allow Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) developers to access Bitcoinâs blockspace. The team believes this is testnet marks a significant step toward using Bitcoin as a settlement layer for decentralized applications (apps).
Citrea Launches Testnet to Bring Decentralized Finance to Bitcoin
Citreaâs testnet is live on Bitcoinâs Testnet4, providing a platform for developers to build decentralized applications (dapps) without sacrificing Bitcoinâs self-sovereignty. The project introduces a trust-minimized approach using BitVM and the Clementine bridge, which will enable the secure bridging of bitcoin (BTC) for use in decentralized finance (defi).
By opening Bitcoinâs blockspace to EVM-compatible applications, Citrea aims to scale Bitcoinâs utility without relying on custodial solutions. Citreaâs infrastructure focuses on enhancing security and decentralization. The testnet supports multiple operator setups to mitigate risks associated with single points of failure. It also tests fraud-proof mechanisms to detect and prevent malicious operators.
Citreaâs bridge is designed for a 10 BTC fixed-amount bridging system, with ongoing development to improve accessibility and support third-party solutions like atomic swaps to facilitate more flexible transactions. âDevelopers have already started building third party solutions for swapping between BTC and cBTC (Bitcoin on Citrea),â the Citrea blog post states. âThese third party solutions aim to make bridging to Citrea more accessible and feasible.â
The Citrea team sees this launch as a crucial milestone in developing a Bitcoin-backed economy. By enabling dapp developers to use BTC for settlement, the project aims to foster financial inclusion and independence in a non-custodial fashion.
