Every now and then, a moment arrives in a project’s journey that feels bigger than a feature rollout or a routine upgrade. It feels like a turning point, something that could shape not only the direction of the protocol but also the role it plays in the broader ecosystem.
For us at Lorenzo Protocol, this is one of those moments.
After months of working closely with core contributors in the Cosmos world, we’re excited to share that we are officially integrating with the Cosmos Hub to launch our own appchain, secured directly by ATOM. With this step, we’re bringing bitcoin liquid staking into one of the most connected, collaborative blockchain ecosystems ever built.
As someone who has followed the evolution of interchain technology closely, I can confidently say: this isn’t just another integration. It’s a foundational shift in how bitcoin’s security and liquidity can interact with a modular, multi-chain future.
A New Home for Bitcoin Stakers: Our ATOM-Secured Appchain
We’re kicking things off with our appchain testnet, scheduled for early April 2024. This chain will be EVM-compatible, secured by ATOM through Cosmos Hub and designed specifically for testing the full lifecycle of bitcoin liquid staking.
Here’s what the testnet will include:
A pilot version of our bitcoin liquid staking pool
A validator set secured by ATOM
The first testing environment for stBTC
Governance modules and upgrade mechanisms
Full EVM support so developers can start building immediately
A thorough auditing process before mainnet
And yes, mainnet is planned for late April 2024, right around the corner.
For me, the most meaningful part of launching on an ATOM-secured chain is the trust it brings from day one. Instead of starting small and slowly building up a validator network, we inherit the security and experience of one of the strongest validator sets in the industry. That foundation lets us innovate faster without compromising the safety of our users.
Why Cosmos Hub’s Security Model Fits Lorenzo Perfectly
One of the things I’ve always admired about Cosmos is how intentionally it’s designed. Every component security, communication, governance serves a purpose. It’s not just a chain; it’s an ecosystem built for collaboration.
Here’s how Cosmos Hub directly strengthens our appchain:
Interchain Security
The same validators who secure the Hub will secure our chain. That means our appchain gets the benefit of years of experience, proven reliability, and a powerful economic security layer.
From my perspective, Interchain Security might be one of the most elegant solutions in blockchain design. It allows new chains like ours to launch with heavyweight security immediately, instead of spending months and millions, bootstrapping a validator set.
IBC Connectivity
IBC gives us seamless asset transfers and communication with other chains in the ecosystem. This is how stBTC becomes more than just a token, it becomes a cross-chain asset with real utility.
Decentralized Governance
Being connected to the Hub means access to a mature governance environment where upgrades, patches, and proposals can be coordinated efficiently. Security isn’t just technical, it’s also organizational, and the Hub has built that coordination layer extremely well.
Ecosystem Support
The Cosmos community is famously strong, builders who care deeply about interoperability, security, and decentralization. Launching in this environment means gaining access to tools, audits, research and a network of people who genuinely want new appchains to succeed.
Looking Ahead: BTC Shared Security Through Babylon
Our integration with Cosmos Hub is just the beginning. Once Babylon goes live, we plan to adopt bitcoin shared security as a second layer of protection for our appchain.
This shift will allow users to secure networks with BTC itself, one of the most trusted, battle-tested assets on the planet.
Transitioning to BTC shared security will involve:
Adding chain modules that let our appchain communicate with Babylon
Implementing slashing conditions and fast-unbonding mechanisms
Syncing validator and staking data through the control plane
Aligning incentive structures for stakers and validators
Working closely with our community to shape this new era of security
To me, this is one of the most exciting parts of our roadmap. Imagine a world where bitcoin’s economic weight can be used to secure an entire interchain ecosystem, that’s where we’re headed.
stBTC: Making Bitcoin Liquid, Productive, and Interchain-Ready
At the center of Lorenzo Protocol is a simple idea: bitcoin should be more than a passive asset. It should work. It should earn. It should move. It should secure networks. And it should do all of that without locking users into long, immovable positions.
That’s exactly what stBTC enables.
Here’s how it works:
1. Users stake BTC through LLR
Their deposits are pooled and staked across approved networks through professional validator operators.
2. stBTC is minted
This token reflects the user’s staked BTC and the rewards it generates over time.
3. stBTC stays liquid
It can move across chains, be traded, used in DeFi, or even applied as collateral. Locked staking becomes a thing of the past.
4. Rewards and risks are reflected in stBTC’s value
If validators perform well, stBTC appreciates. If slashing occurs, stBTC adjusts automatically.
5. Governance stays decentralized
Users help shape the protocol’s evolution through DAO governance, influencing everything from validator onboarding to fee structures.
From my point of view, bitcoin’s biggest untapped opportunity is its utility. stBTC opens the door for BTC to finally participate in on-chain economies without sacrificing the security or sovereignty that makes bitcoin unique in the first place.
Building a More Connected and Secure Blockchain Future Together
This integration represents far more than a technical upgrade for Lorenzo Protocol. It’s a signal of where the broader industry is headed. Interconnected systems, shared security models, cross-chain liquidity and modular architectures, this is the direction forward.
By combining:
ATOM-secured appchain infrastructure
EVM compatibility for developers
Bitcoin liquid staking
Future BTC shared security
Interchain connectivity through IBC
we’re building a platform designed for long-term resilience, high-quality security, and meaningful utility.
Personally, I believe we’re entering an era where chains won’t thrive by isolating themselves, they’ll thrive by collaborating, specializing, and sharing security and liquidity across networks. This is exactly what our integration with Cosmos Hub represents: a contribution to a future where blockchain ecosystems support each other, not compete for survival.
At Lorenzo Protocol, we’re committed to pushing this vision forward.
Together, alongside the Cosmos community, we’re helping build a safer, more flexible, more interconnected blockchain world.
And we’re just getting started.
