Key Takeaways

• Symbiotic, in partnership with Chainlink and Lombard, introduced a cryptoeconomic guarantee layer that ensures secure cross‑chain Bitcoin transfers.
• Stakeholders holding BARD tokens can earn up to 15% APY by depositing into dedicated vaults that reinforce LBTC movement with decentralized collateral.

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Symbiotic, Chainlink, and Lombard launch industry‑first layer for cross‑chain Bitcoin transfers

On Monday, three pioneering blockchain infrastructure firms—Symbiotic, Chainlink and Lombard—unveiled an unprecedented cryptoeconomic guarantee layer that fortifies cross‑chain Bitcoin movements. The partnership brings together authoritative market players to address the lingering security concerns that have historically plagued BTC transfers across disparate blockchains.

This new mechanism leverages Chainlink’s Cross‑Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) as its unyielding security backbone, while a Symbiotic‑powered monitoring network continuously verifies every step of the LBTC (Lombard‑Staked Bitcoin) journey. By integrating decentralized collateral, the layer creates a safety net that is both permissionless and instantly deployable.

At the heart of the initiative are two sophisticated vaults managed by Symbiotic. One vault holds up to $100 million worth of LINK tokens, and the other can store as many as 20 million BARD. Both vaults are designed to back LBTC transfers, providing a tangible economic guarantee that strengthens confidence for participants in the ecosystem.

Existing BARD holders can actively contribute by staking their tokens through the Lombard App. In return, they receive competitive rewards—up to 15% APY—while simultaneously reinforcing the security of cross‑chain LBTC flows. This dual‑benefit structure showcases how decentralized collateral can be mobilized quickly and without friction to support value transfer at scale.

“Symbiotic turns passive crypto assets into a modular, active security infrastructure,” explains Misha Putiatin, co‑founder of Symbiotic. “By combining our restaking framework with Chainlink CCIP for
cross‑chain LBTC transfers, we demonstrate how decentralized collateral can be deployed swiftly and permissionlessly, strengthening cross‑chain value flows and delivering real benefits to users.”

Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs, emphasized the partnership’s impact on economic guarantees. “Collaborating with Symbiotic and Lombard elevates the security of LBTC transfers, highlighting CCIP’s versatility in meeting diverse safety needs.”

Lombard co‑founder Jacob Phillips highlighted the necessity for secure freedom in Bitcoin movement. “LBTC holders demand a seamless ability to move funds to the most advantageous platforms, but they also expect uncompromised protection. By pairing restaked collateral with CCIP, we raise the economic safeguards for every participant, and each staked BARD further fortifies LBTC’s integrity.”

This initiative marks a pivotal shift in cross‑chain infrastructure, blending robust cryptoeconomic incentives with proven interoperability. By opening a new layer of protection, the collaboration sets a new standard for secure Bitcoin transfers across any blockchain ecosystem.

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