rBTC is Bitcoin represented within the Rootstock network’s programmable execution environment. It maintains a 1:1 relationship with BTC, with each rBTC backed by an equivalent amount of Bitcoin.

rBTC enables Bitcoin holders to access smart contracts, decentralized applications, lending, borrowing, and other financial services on Rootstock while maintaining continuous Bitcoin exposure. It is also used to pay transaction fees and execute operations across the network.

Rather than being a separate asset, rBTC serves as Bitcoin’s settlement representation on Rootstock, allowing BTC to participate in programmable finance and decentralized applications secured by Bitcoin.

Several popular wallets support RBTC, including MetaMask, Ledger, Trezor, and MyCrypto. See the comprehensive list here.
These wallets allow you to store, send, and receive RBTC seamlessly. To add RBTC to your wallet, you may need to manually add the Rootstock network or import RBTC as a custom token.

To add RBTC to a wallet like MetaMask, follow these steps:

1. Open MetaMask and click on the Network Selector.
2. Select “Add Network” and click “Add a network manually.”
3. Enter the Rootstock network details:
   • Network Name: Rootstock Mainnet
   • RPC URL: https://public-node.rsk.co/
   • ChainID: 30
   • Symbol: RBTC
   • Block Explorer URL: https://explorer.rootstock.io/
4. Save the settings.

rBTC is secured through a two-way peg mechanism with Bitcoin and is backed 1:1 by BTC. The Rootstock network leverages Bitcoin’s robust proof-of-work security by using merged mining, where miners secure both Bitcoin and Rootstock simultaneously. This makes rBTC one of the most secure assets in the DeFi space, as it benefits from the massive computational power protecting the Bitcoin network.

The two-way peg enables Bitcoin to be represented on Rootstock as rBTC while maintaining a 1:1 relationship with BTC.

When Bitcoin enters the peg, an equivalent amount of rBTC becomes available on Rootstock, allowing it to interact with smart contracts, lending markets, and other applications across the network. When users exit Rootstock, the corresponding rBTC is removed from circulation and the underlying BTC is released.

The peg is secured by Rootstock’s PowPeg architecture and Bitcoin’s proof-of-work security model, ensuring that every rBTC remains backed 1:1 by Bitcoin. A federation of specialized nodes manages the peg and facilitates movement between the Bitcoin and Rootstock networks.

Converting BTC to rBTC involves transaction fees on both the Bitcoin and Rootstock networks. These fees typically include Bitcoin network transaction fees and minimal network fees on the Rootstock side. Some conversion methods, like using FastBTC may also include a small service fee. It’s important to check the specific platform or service you’re using for the most accurate fee information.

rBTC transactions on the Rootstock network are typically confirmed within 30 seconds to a minute, thanks to Rootstock’s faster block times compared to Bitcoin. This makes rBTC ideal for use in DeFi applications where transaction speed is crucial. However, the actual confirmation time may vary depending on network congestion and the fees paid.

rBTC can be used across Rootstock’s ecosystem of applications and financial services. This includes lending, borrowing, trading, payments, liquidity provision, and interacting with smart contracts on the network.

As the native asset of Rootstock, rBTC is also used to pay transaction fees and execute smart contract operations.

Beyond decentralized applications, rBTC is increasingly being explored as a way to bring Bitcoin into programmable financial infrastructure, enabling new models for Bitcoin-backed lending, treasury management, collateralization, and onchain financial services while maintaining a 1:1 relationship with BTC.