Core Foundation, a Bitcoin-aligned Layer 1 blockchain, has officially added BitGo and KODA as validators, further strengthening its vision of institutional-grade Bitcoin DeFi. This move not only enhances network security and credibility but also expands its global footprint—especially in Asia.
BitGo and KODA Bring Institutional Legitimacy
BitGo, a U.S.-regulated custodian, joins Core’s validator set, reinforcing the network’s institutional trust profile. BitGo’s role as a validator contributes regulatory strength, security-first standards, and credibility to the Core blockchain, especially for enterprise and financial institutions.
KODA, a leading South Korean institutional custodian powered by Nodeinfra, also joins the validator set. KODA’s entry helps Core tap into Korea’s fast-growing crypto user base, where over 20% of the population holds digital assets.
“Adding BitGo and KODA as validators marks a significant step in scaling Bitcoin’s utility,” said Brendon Sedo, Core’s initial contributor.
Core’s Hybrid Consensus Drives Network Resilience
The Core blockchain leverages Satoshi Plus, a hybrid consensus mechanism that merges Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) principles. This approach allows:
- BTC miners,
- BTC holders, and
- CORE stakers
to collectively participate in network consensus, ensuring both security and scalability without centralization.
Currently, over $500 million in BTC is staked on Core, secured by an estimated 75% of Bitcoin’s total hashrate—a unique alignment with Bitcoin’s foundational infrastructure.
Pioneering Bitcoin DeFi Utility
Core powers several Bitcoin-native DeFi solutions designed for institutions, including:
- lstBTC: A liquid, yield-bearing representation of Bitcoin used as collateral across exchanges.
- Valour Yield-Bearing BTC ETP: A regulated investment product providing Bitcoin exposure and passive yield.
These innovations aim to resolve Bitcoin’s current lack of programmability and native yield, making it more functional for DeFi and real-world financial systems.
Conclusion: A New Era for Institutional Bitcoin
By integrating BitGo and KODA, Core Foundation is strategically aligning Bitcoin with next-generation DeFi infrastructure. This validator expansion reflects the growing demand for secure, scalable, and yield-generating Bitcoin products—particularly from institutions looking for trusted on-chain exposure.
With rising interest in BTC staking and institutional-grade custody, Core is emerging as a pivotal platform bridging Bitcoin’s security with DeFi’s programmability.
