Rift Raises $8M for P2P Bitcoin Protocol

[umair]

Rift, a peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading protocol, recently secured $8 million in funding to accelerate the development of native BTC trading across multiple blockchain ecosystems. The goal is to allow Bitcoin to move seamlessly between networks like Ethereum while enabling direct peer-to-peer exchanges without relying on custodial intermediaries.

The protocol aims to integrate Bitcoin more deeply into decentralized finance (DeFi), allowing it to participate in smart contract flows, cross-chain interactions, and liquidity pools. By bridging Bitcoin’s liquidity with other chains, Rift could expand the ways traders and developers utilize BTC beyond just holding or speculation.

While $8 million may seem modest compared to mega crypto funding rounds, it represents growing investor confidence in foundational infrastructure rather than hype-driven tokens. This focus on robust protocols reflects a shift toward building tools that enhance Bitcoin’s utility and interoperability.

For the broader market, such infrastructure projects may mark a turning point where Bitcoin moves from being primarily a store-of-value asset to a functional part of DeFi ecosystems. Wider adoption could also pave the way for faster, lower-cost, and more flexible BTC transactions across chains.

Do you think protocols like Rift can successfully increase Bitcoin’s real-world usage, or will BTC largely remain a digital gold despite these developments?