Lombard Finance has unveiled a significant step forward in the evolution of BTC utility. On Wednesday, the company announced the launch of its LBTC SDK, a production-ready software toolkit that allows wallets, exchanges, and DeFi platforms to integrate Bitcoin staking and LBTC minting with minimal technical effort.
The launch, now live on Bybit, is expected to transform how users interact with Bitcoin.
From Passive BTC to Yield-Generating LBTC
At the heart of Lombard’s innovation is LBTC—the Universal Liquid Bitcoin Standard. LBTC is a yield-bearing token that is 1:1 backed by native Bitcoin, enabling BTC holders to stake their assets and participate in DeFi while retaining full exposure to Bitcoin.
The new SDK significantly lowers the barrier to entry for platforms wishing to offer LBTC services. It supports one-click BTC staking, LBTC minting, and direct deposit into Lombard’s DeFi Vault, which currently offers a 5% APY. This integration not only enhances platform functionality but also opens new revenue streams and engagement models for service providers.
“Bitcoin is undergoing a transformation,” said Jacob Phillips, Co-Founder of Lombard Finance. “Once viewed solely as a store of value, Bitcoin is now increasingly being integrated into DeFi, unlocking new earning opportunities for BTC holders. With the LBTC SDK, we’re removing the complexity for both platforms and users.”
Strategic Integrations and Industry Momentum
Beyond Bybit, Lombard confirmed that integrations with OKX, Bitget, and leading wallet providers such as xVerse, Trust Wallet, and MetaMask are already in progress. These integrations will bring seamless Bitcoin staking and LBTC minting to a broader user base, significantly expanding LBTC’s utility across centralized and decentralized ecosystems.
The SDK rollout comes amid growing momentum in the Bitcoin staking space. According to Lombard, over $4 billion in BTC has been staked since the inception of liquid staking for Bitcoin just seven months ago. The figure highlights a significant behavioral shift, as users seek yield opportunities on their BTC holdings without relinquishing control.
“We’re always looking for ways to provide more value to our users,” said a spokesperson from Bybit. “The Lombard SDK allowed us to quickly integrate BTC staking and LBTC minting, enabling customers to earn while continuing to hold Bitcoin exposure.”
Unlocking $150 Billion in Dormant Exchange BTC
A major motivator behind Lombard’s SDK is the 2.8 million BTC—worth roughly $154 billion—currently held idle on centralized exchanges. By providing a simple way to activate those assets via staking, the SDK unlocks a massive pool of liquidity previously underutilized in the crypto economy.
The SDK is designed to require just a few lines of code to implement, offering an almost plug-and-play experience for platforms. This user-friendly approach is likely to accelerate adoption across the sector, particularly as more users become comfortable with Bitcoin’s role in earning yield.
LBTC Vault Gains Traction as TVL Surpasses $200 Million
Lombard’s DeFi Vault, powered by Veda, has already amassed over $200 million in total value locked (TVL), making it one of the fastest-growing Bitcoin-native DeFi platforms. The Vault allows LBTC holders to earn consistent yield, a concept that was previously only viable for Ethereum-based assets.
This launch also comes as competition in the Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) space intensifies. Protocols like Stacks, Babylon, and Bitlayer have introduced their own visions for bringing Bitcoin into DeFi, though few have achieved the institutional-grade infrastructure or early ecosystem integration that Lombard has.
With institutional demand for safe and programmable Bitcoin utilities on the rise, LBTC’s positioning as a secure, yield-bearing Bitcoin equivalent could prove to be a defining asset class within the digital economy.