TLDR
- Arkade enables instant Bitcoin transactions using offchain Virtual Transaction Outputs or VTXOs.
- Arkade runs natively on Bitcoin without changing consensus or using wrapped assets.
- Arkade Assets introduces stablecoin support with USDT integration planned.
- Arkade interoperates with Lightning Network to support broader financial use cases.
Ark Labs has announced the public beta release of Arkade, a new Layer 2 built directly on Bitcoin. It is the first mainnet implementation of the Ark Protocol, proposed in 2023. The protocol uses Virtual Transaction Outputs (VTXOs) to enable fast and programmable offchain transactions. Arkade works without changing Bitcoin’s consensus rules or using wrapped assets.
The system allows users to move, lend, and trade Bitcoin offchain, while keeping full control of their funds. Each VTXO is tied to a presigned Bitcoin transaction, allowing users to exit back to the Bitcoin base layer at any time. Ark Service Providers (ASPs) help coordinate offchain activity but never hold funds.
Offchain Execution Without Custody
Arkade’s model allows thousands of offchain transactions to be processed together and settled periodically onchain. ASPs batch these transactions into a single Bitcoin settlement, reducing fees and increasing scalability. However, unlike custodial services or bridges, ASPs do not control any user assets.
“Today’s release marks the beginning of Bitcoin’s evolution as programmable money,” said Marco Argentieri, CEO of Ark Labs. He added that Arkade operates within Bitcoin’s security model, preserving user custody and exit guarantees.
Arkade users can reclaim their VTXOs anytime, even if an ASP goes offline or misbehaves. This design removes reliance on third-party custody, aligning with Bitcoin’s trust-minimizing principles.
Designed to Complement the Lightning Network
Arkade was initially presented as an alternative to the Lightning Network. However, its design has expanded to support more advanced financial use cases. These include lending protocols, trading applications, and smart wallets built directly on Bitcoin.
The system is interoperable with Lightning through services like Boltz. This allows users to move liquidity between Arkade and Lightning channels. It also broadens access to various Layer 2 environments without sacrificing decentralization or security.
Alex Bergeron, Ecosystem Lead at Ark Labs, said, “Arkade supports lending protocols, trading platforms, and smart wallets directly on Bitcoin.” The project has partnered with Breez, BlueWallet, BullBitcoin, and BTCPayServer for early integration.
Multi-Asset Support with Arkade Assets
Alongside the Arkade beta, Ark Labs has launched Arkade Assets, a framework that supports stablecoins and other digital tokens. This extension of the Ark Protocol introduces multi-asset capability to Bitcoin’s offchain layer. Tether (USDT) integration is planned as one of the first stablecoins to be supported.
Stablecoins are now core infrastructure in crypto, but most operate on Ethereum or other EVM chains. Ark Labs aims to bring them back to Bitcoin’s native ecosystem. “Arkade finally provides that foundation,” said Argentieri. “We’re building the rails to bring stablecoins back to the world’s most secure blockchain.”
Arkade Assets works similarly to Taproot Assets from Lightning Labs but is based on VTXOs and works entirely offchain. It allows users to hold and move stablecoins with the same exit guarantees as Bitcoin, without bridges or wrapped tokens.
Infrastructure for Bitcoin’s Next Decade
Arkade’s launch follows two years of development and investor backing from Draper Associates, Axiom, and Fulgur Ventures. It is built to help Bitcoin serve as more than just digital gold, by adding programmability without new trust assumptions.
Bergeron noted, “Every major financial application needs a programmable foundation. That’s what we’re building.” Ark Labs plans to add scripting tools, new security layers, and support for more financial protocols over time.
The Arkade beta represents a step forward for Bitcoin-native infrastructure, enabling decentralized finance directly on the Bitcoin blockchain without compromising user control or security.
