At the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, industry leaders predicted that decentralized finance (DeFi) built on Bitcoin's infrastructure could soon challenge traditional financial systems. The event showcased how Bitcoin's security and decentralization are enabling new financial applications that prioritize user sovereignty and global accessibility.
Speakers unanimously agreed that Bitcoin is evolving beyond being just a store of value. Jacob Phillips of Lombard Finance explained how liquid staking protocols are transforming Bitcoin into an active financial instrument. "Our LBTC token allows users to earn yield while maintaining liquidity," Phillips noted, demonstrating how 【$12 billion】 in Bitcoin is currently being utilized in DeFi applications.
Adrián Eidelman from RootstockLabs emphasized Bitcoin's layer-2 solutions as critical infrastructure. "Merged mining activity reached 【all-time highs】 last quarter," he revealed, showing how sidechains expand functionality without compromising Bitcoin's core security.
Blockstream CEO Adam Back highlighted key differences between Bitcoin DeFi and conventional options. "Onchain markets offer 【30% better】 borrowing rates than traditional finance," Back stated, attributing this to reduced intermediary costs and increased liquidity in decentralized systems.
The conference particularly emphasized self-custody solutions. Unchained CEO Joseph Kelly described their multisignature vaults where "users control two of three keys" — a stark contrast to traditional banking custody models. This approach has already secured over 【$1.2 billion】 in Bitcoin assets.
Speakers highlighted real-world applications in economically unstable regions. RootstockLabs' Eidelman shared examples from Argentina, where Bitcoin-backed stablecoins help citizens hedge against 【54% annual inflation】. "The collateral is always Bitcoin," he stressed, noting growing adoption in developing economies.
Core DAO contributor Rich Rines framed this development as inevitable: "Bitcoin's security makes it the ideal foundation for global finance." Current data shows Bitcoin DeFi TVL growing 【217%】 year-over-year, signaling rapid ecosystem expansion.
——This shift represents more than technological innovation—it's a fundamental reimagining of financial sovereignty—— concluded multiple speakers. As Bitcoin's DeFi ecosystem matures, its potential to reshape global finance appears increasingly undeniable.