Depositor guide: getting and using SolvBTC

If you hold Bitcoin and want it to earn without selling, this is the practical path. It covers what to decide before you start, how the steps usually go, and the habits that keep you out of trouble.

Before you start: three decisions

Which network? SolvBTC exists across several chains. Pick one where you already hold assets and understand the fees. The ecosystem page lists supported networks.
Base token or a yield strategy? Holding plain SolvBTC keeps things simple. Choosing a liquid staking token (such as SolvBTC.BBN or SolvBTC.CORE) adds yield — and the specific risks of that strategy. Compare them on supported assets.
How long can you commit? Some strategies involve unbonding or redemption delays. Don’t route funds you may need instantly into a strategy that locks them.

The typical flow

Get SolvBTC. You either deposit Bitcoin (or a recognised wrapped Bitcoin) to mint SolvBTC, or acquire it on a venue that lists it. Minting targets a 1:1 relationship with the Bitcoin backing it.
Choose what to do with it. Hold it as a liquid Bitcoin representation, or commit it to a strategy to receive a yield-bearing LST.
Track your position. Note which token you hold, on which chain, and what its yield depends on. Yields are variable — they reflect real strategy performance, not a promised rate.
Redeem when ready. Convert your LST back toward SolvBTC and Bitcoin, respecting any unbonding window.

Understanding the exchange ratio and yield

Two patterns show up across yield tokens. In a rebasing model, your token balance grows over time. In an exchange-rate model, your balance stays the same but each token becomes redeemable for more of the underlying. Either way, the value accrues — just check which model a given token uses so you read your balance correctly.

Treat any headline APY as a snapshot. A rate quoted today can be different next week because the underlying activity (staking rewards, strategy returns) changes. If a yield looks far above the rest of the market, assume it carries more risk and find out why before committing.

A sensible first run

Move a small amount first. Confirm you can complete the full loop — get SolvBTC, enter a strategy, see it reflected, and redeem — before committing a meaningful position. The fee and the time spent are cheap insurance.

Staying safe

Guard your seed phrase. No legitimate site or staff member ever needs it. Never type it into a web page.
Verify addresses. Confirm token and contract addresses against official channels before interacting. Bookmark the resources you trust and use the bookmark, not search results or DMs.
Check the domain. Look at the address bar before signing anything. Phishing clones copy the look of real sites exactly.
Read the wallet prompt. Understand what a transaction approves. Unlimited approvals to unknown contracts are a common way funds are drained.

The security & audits page goes deeper on these habits, and risks & liquidations covers what can go wrong even when you do everything right.

If you plan to borrow against it

SolvBTC can also be used as collateral to borrow other assets without selling your Bitcoin. That is a different activity with its own mechanics — loan-to-value, health factor and liquidation. If that’s your goal, continue to the collateral guide.

Related: Supported assets · Glossary