Bitgo Shifts WBTC Infrastructure to Chainlink in Security Push

Crypto infrastructure firm Bitgo has selected Chainlink as its exclusive cross-chain infrastructure provider for wrapped bitcoin (WBTC), replacing Layerzero. The move, announced on August 4, 2026, affects the $7.7 billion WBTC token and sets a new standard for how Bitgo-issued assets will move across blockchain networks.

Bitgo stated that all future Bitgo-issued digital assets will default to using Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). This decision creates a unified framework for transferring assets between blockchains, applying consistent security controls and operating standards across all supported networks.

WBTC is a token that represents bitcoin 1:1 on blockchains other than Bitcoin, primarily Ethereum, allowing BTC holders to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities such as trading, lending, and liquidity provision. Cross-chain infrastructure, often referred to as a bridge, is essential for moving assets between blockchains but has historically been a frequent target for hackers. Standardizing on Chainlink CCIP is intended to strengthen security.

Bitgo cited Chainlink’s security architecture, institutional compliance standards, and built-in risk controls as key factors. Each CCIP bridge route is supported by at least 16 independent node operators across different organizations, regions, and hosting providers, reducing the risk of single points of failure or coordinated attacks. The protocol also supports issuer-controlled transfer limits and configurable transaction controls, which can automatically slow or restrict transfers if suspicious activity is detected.

The company plans to use the Chainlink Cross-Chain Token standard to establish unified versions of WBTC across supported blockchains, ensuring a consistent and verifiable security model while maintaining Bitgo’s ownership of token deployments. Mike Belshe, CEO and co-founder of Bitgo, emphasized that security has always been the company’s priority and that Chainlink CCIP provides the controls and reliability that institutional clients expect.

The transition is significant for the industry. Following the April 2026 Kelp DAO exploit, nearly $15 billion worth of assets shifted from Layerzero to Chainlink, signaling a shift in institutional trust. Chainlink has processed over $32 trillion in transaction value and secures more than $110 billion in cross-chain applications and DeFi. Bitgo’s migration adds one of the largest wrapped bitcoin products to the Chainlink network, and the market will monitor the rollout of WBTC onto CCIP and future asset migrations.

Source: https://news.bitcoin.com/crypto-news/bitgo-shifts-wbtc-infrastructure-to-chainlink-in-security-push/