Nasdaq-listed fintech firm SoFi has announced the integration of Bitcoin Lightning for cross-border remittances, a move that aligns with the growing interest in decentralized solutions for financial services. By leveraging the Bitcoin Lightning Network, SoFi aims to provide faster and more cost-effective remittance options to its users, particularly in international markets where traditional financial systems face high fees and lengthy processing times. The initiative underscores a strategic pivot toward integrating blockchain-based technologies to enhance the user experience and operational efficiency of its financial offerings [1].

Simultaneously, Bitlayer, a Bitcoin DeFi infrastructure project, has expanded its reach by introducing YBTC into the Solana ecosystem through partnerships with Kamino Finance and Orca. YBTC, a token pegged 1:1 with Bitcoin, is designed to facilitate trust-minimized Bitcoin transfers while offering yield opportunities for Bitcoin holders. This move aims to combine Bitlayer’s focus on security with Solana’s high-speed transaction capabilities, enabling seamless interoperability between Bitcoin and DeFi applications. The token supports auto-compounding and optimized BTC-denominated returns through Kamino’s earn vaults and allows users to trade on Orca’s Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM), enhancing access to Solana’s DeFi ecosystem [2].

Bitlayer’s BitVM bridge, a core component of the integration, eliminates the need for centralized intermediaries in Bitcoin transfers. By locking BTC within the Bitlayer ecosystem, users can benefit from native Bitcoin exposure while maintaining asset freedom. The initiative is part of Bitlayer’s broader strategy to expand the Bitcoin DeFi sector. In parallel, the company has established partnerships with Sui, Base, and Cardano to advance cross-chain collaboration. A limited-time incentive program for the mainnet beta is currently underway to drive early adoption, offering rewards in Bitlayer’s native token, BTR, for users engaging with YBTC and its cross-chain features [3].

In another development, Valantis, a decentralized exchange (DEX) protocol, has acquired stHYPE, the second-largest liquid staking token (LST) on Hyperliquid, in a deal with undisclosed financial terms. stHYPE, which has reached nearly $200 million in total value locked (TVL), was the first liquid staking token on HyperEVM, a blockchain developed in parallel with HyperCore. The acquisition positions Valantis to manage stHYPE’s operations, development, and scaling efforts, with Addison Spiegel, founder of Thunderhead (the team behind stHYPE), joining as an advisor. This move follows Valantis’ earlier launch of LST-specific DEX pools for both stHYPE and kHYPE, which have attracted nearly $70 million in TVL and processed over $500 million in trading volume [4].

Valantis plans to expand stHYPE’s integrations with its DEX and HyperCore, aiming to establish a broader liquidity network for Hyperliquid. The acquisition also reflects a broader trend of consolidation within the crypto industry, where larger firms are acquiring smaller projects to expand their market presence. Deven Matthews, CEO of Valantis, emphasized the importance of liquidity in the success of an asset, stating that Valantis intends to address key pain points for stHYPE users while leveraging its experience in DEX development to create a vibrant ecosystem around the token [5].

Meanwhile, Hyperliquid’s liquid staking market continues to grow, with the HyperEVM chain amassing over $2 billion in TVL across nearly 100 protocols. Liquid staking has become a central pillar of Hyperliquid’s ecosystem, accounting for more than half of the DeFi TVL on Hyperliquid L1. As the market evolves, increased competition among LSTs is expected to drive innovation and user benefits, with rivals like Kinetiq’s kHYPE offering distinct value propositions through transaction fee discounts and emission rewards.

Hyperliquid’s rapid growth highlights the maturation of the DeFi sector, where projects are increasingly focused on scalability, interoperability, and user experience. These developments reflect a broader trend of crypto projects seeking to integrate with multiple blockchain ecosystems to maximize reach and utility for their users. As the DeFi landscape continues to evolve, strategic partnerships and acquisitions are playing a key role in shaping the future of decentralized financial infrastructure.

Source:

[1] https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/19/bitlayer-s-ybtc-enters-solana-as-the-defi-project-partners-with-kamino-finance-orca [2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitlayers-ybtc-enters-solana-defi-090000088.html [3] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valantis-acquires-sthype-hyperliquid-liquid-140004830.html [4] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/valantis-acquires-sthype-expanding-liquid-140000779.html [5] https://dailyhodl.com/2025/08/19/valantis-acquires-liquid-staking-protocol-sthype-adding-200m-in-tvl/