Bitcoin ZK-rollup Citrea launches mainnet to expand BTC use

Citrea has launched its mainnet, introducing a Bitcoin-native application layer built for on-chain trading, lending, and settlement.

Bitcoin ZK-rollup Citrea has launched its mainnet, opening the door for lending, trading, and settlement directly on the Bitcoin network. 

The launch was announced on Jan. 27, marking a step toward expanding Bitcoin’s use beyond long-term holding into on-chain financial activity.

Bringing applications directly to Bitcoin

Citrea positions itself as an application layer built specifically for Bitcoin (BTC) capital markets. The layer 1 is designed to keep liquidity anchored to Bitcoin while enabling programmable applications secured by the network itself.

At launch, the network introduces cBTC, a Bitcoin-backed asset to be used across decentralized applications, and ctUSD, a native stablecoin intended to support on-chain liquidity.

According to Citrea, cBTC uses zero-knowledge proofs and BitVM-based verification to reduce reliance on custodians or multisignature trust setups. Any attempt at fraudulent activity can be challenged on the Bitcoin mainnet, provided at least one honest participant is present. This model is intended to provide a higher level of security than earlier Bitcoin bridge designs.

Alongside these assets, Citrea’s mainnet debuts with more than 30 Bitcoin-secured applications, including decentralized exchanges, liquidity tools, and early-stage lending and privacy-focused services. Additional applications and structured yield products are expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

Stablecoin liquidity and early ecosystem growth

To support trading and settlement, Citrea has introduced ctUSD, a Bitcoin-native stablecoin issued by MoonPay and built on M0’s open stablecoin infrastructure. The stablecoin is accessible in the United States (with the exception of New York) and more than 160 other nations, and it is designed with institutional compliance in mind.

Additionally, Citrea has introduced a user dashboard that enables users to manage assets throughout the ecosystem, track activity, and explore applications.. From day one, user actions on live applications are recorded, with plans to expand dashboard features as more tools come online.

Looking ahead, Citrea says its focus is on growing Bitcoin-denominated financial activity while strengthening incentives for miners through increased network usage. The team describes the mainnet launch as an early step toward making Bitcoin a more active financial platform, rather than just a store of value.