Bridging Bitcoin to DeFi: Insights from MacLane Wilkison, CEO of tLabs and Co-founder of Threshold Network

In a recent podcast episode, MacLane Wilkison, CEO of tLabs and co-founder of Threshold Network, shared a compelling vision for Bitcoin’s future in decentralized finance (DeFi). At the center of the discussion was tBTC, a permissionless Bitcoin bridge designed to expand Bitcoin’s utility across DeFi ecosystems, while maintaining security and user control.

A Journey Through the Crypto Space

Wilkison’s crypto journey began back in 2013 at the Hacker Dojo, where he first explored Bitcoin and connected with early builders of projects like Cosmos and Dfinity. That curiosity later led him to co-found NuCypher, a data privacy protocol for decentralized applications. Today, his experience fuels the direction of Threshold Network and tBTC, with a strong focus on unlocking new use cases for Bitcoin without compromising core principles like decentralization and transparency.

Understanding tBTC: A Safer, Fully-Decentralized Bitcoin Bridge

Unlike centralized solutions like Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC), which rely on a single custodian, tBTC uses a decentralized network of signers to hold Bitcoin in custody. This distributed model minimizes counterparty risk and allows users to retain ownership of their BTC, even while it’s being used in DeFi applications.

One of tBTC’s most promising features is that it allows users to put their Bitcoin to work—earning yield through lending, market making, and other DeFi strategies—without selling their BTC. As Wilkison explains, “We want to give Bitcoin holders more tools to participate in DeFi, while staying true to Bitcoin’s core values of control and self-sovereignty.”

Threshold Network has recently undergone a strategic shift—streamlining its focus solely on tBTC and ending inflation of the T token. This restructuring has created a direct link between the adoption of tBTC and the value of the T token, contributing to reported network profitability in Q1 through bridge fee revenues.

Bridging Across Ecosystems, Not Betting on Just One

Wilkison noted that the current DeFi ecosystem remains fragmented, with platforms like Ethereum, Solana, and new Bitcoin layer-2s all competing for developer attention. But tBTC is built to be platform-agnostic—bridging Bitcoin into whatever ecosystem users choose to participate in.

Looking ahead, Threshold is keeping a close eye on developments like BitVM2, which could further strengthen the security and decentralization of Bitcoin bridges. “Our goal is to make tBTC the most secure and trust-minimized way to use Bitcoin in DeFi,” Wilkison said.

As the conversation wrapped, Wilkison offered a clear message to developers: focus on building tools that matter. “Don’t chase trends. Build something that lasts and solves real problems,” he said.

MacLane Wilkison’s insights into tBTC and the broader DeFi ecosystem underscore the potential for Bitcoin to play a pivotal role in decentralized finance. By prioritizing security, user control, and innovative yield opportunities, tBTC is poised to become a key player in bridging Bitcoin with the diverse world of DeFi.