What is tBTC?
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🟢 The simple version
Plain English — no jargon. Start here.
tBTC is a decentralised wrapped Bitcoin — unlike WBTC where a single company custodies all the BTC, tBTC uses Threshold Network's distributed signers (threshold ECDSA cryptography) so no single party controls the Bitcoin backing your tBTC.
Decentralised Bitcoin custody
WBTC requires trusting BiT Global (single custodian). tBTC distributes custody: a randomly selected group of Threshold Network validators each hold a share of the private key protecting deposited Bitcoin. A minimum threshold must cooperate to authorise BTC movement — no single signer can steal or freeze funds. Signers stake T tokens as collateral, slashed for misbehaviour. Less liquidity than WBTC but genuinely trustless. Is tBTC legal in India? Yes. 30% tax, 1% TDS apply.
🟡 A bit more detail
For when you want to go a little deeper.
tBTC vs WBTC vs cbBTC
WBTC: most liquid ($15B+), centralised custodian (BiT Global). cbBTC: Coinbase custodian (US-regulated). tBTC: most decentralised, no single custodian, smallest liquidity. Primary liquidity: Curve Finance tBTC/WBTC pool.
🟣 The full technical picture
For the technically curious.
Key facts
- Ratio: 1:1 with BTC
- Security: Threshold ECDSA (distributed signers)
- Signers: Stake T token (slashed for misbehaviour)
- vs WBTC: No single custodian, less liquid