FAQs
What is CBTC?
CBTC is a wrapped Bitcoin (1:1 backed) on the Canton network, designed for institutional use cases. It's built by BitSafe (makers of iBTC) and will support liquidity provision, and integration with derivatives marketplaces (e.g., the Canton-QCP collaboration). It's privacy-enabled and secure, using Schnorr/FROST and Taproot-based signatures along with a decentralized network of Attestors for the bridge.
What is the CBTC Holder License/Credential?
This is a license that allows you to hold and transfer CBTC on the Canton network. Holding the credential itself earns you CantonCoin rewards through Canton's incentive program for connecting to Featured Apps (like CBTC). No immediate BTC deposit or app building is required—it's net-positive just for holding and paying the fee.
Who is this for? Do I need to be a financial services provider or have BTC balances?
It's open to any company on Canton, including infrastructure providers, node operators, oracles. You don't need BTC balances upfront or to provide financial services. Infrastructure businesses like Kaleido or LaunchNodes have signed up as early adopters to take advantage of the ecosystem benefits.
What are the future use cases beyond rewards?
In addition to earning CantonCoins, the credentials position you for future CBTC utility, such as BTC on-chain holding for clients, trading, liquidity provision, and integration with apps like derivatives marketplaces. Canton's tokenomics are shifting towards utility-based rewards (e.g., for holding/transferring CBTC), so early holders may see amplified benefits.
How do I earn rewards with the CBTC Holder Credentials?
Rewards come from the Canton ecosystem incentives for holding a paid credential from a Featured App (CBTC). You earn CantonCoins simply by accepting and holding the credential—no product work or app building needed. Rewards are shared equally among credential holders and scale with adoption. The rewards may drop as more credentials are issued (due to issuance volume and issuer-specific diminishing returns).
How are rewards calculated?
Rewards are based on 10-minute billing cycles in Canton, influenced by participation, number of credentials issued by the issuer (subsequent ones may yield less), and overall network activity. You can track your rewards in your Canton wallet, but they're aggregated into one transaction.
How and when are rewards distributed?
Rewards (in CantonCoins) accrue automatically once the credential is accepted but are distributed manually every month via a script (calculated by block height)
How do I get started?
The process is pretty straightforward:
Read the MSA: https://bit.ly/early-bird-holder
Join the waitlist: https://form.typeform.com/to/esAv2IQz (Fill in company details, email, Validator Address, etc.) Note: Clicking "Accept" advances the form but doesn't bind you legally
BitSafe sends an executable MSA for signature.
Once signed, you need to accept the credential in the Canton Utility.
Rewards start accruing post-acceptance
Do I need a Canton validator to participate?
Yes, you need to have a live validator and a validator address on Canton mainnet to receive credentials
What are the transaction fees?
Current transaction fees are 5 basis points for minting/burning and 3 basis points for transferring/locking/unlocking
Who operates the CBTC bridge nodes?
9 pre-screened external node operators (e.g., P2P, Everstake) with more than $1B in AUM and 1 BitSafe node, run both Bitcoin and Canton nodes
Do I need special wallets?
Bitcoin side: No special setup required—any wallet that can send BTC to a Taproot address (e.g., Sparrow, Ledger Live, BlueWallet) will work when you deposit into the bridge.
For Canton: Yes. After your Bitcoin is bridged, CBTC lives on Canton, so you’ll need a wallet that understands Canton tokens. Today that list is short—the Canton CLI is fully supported, with additional wallets coming as the ecosystem matures.
Are there any KYC/KYB requirements?
No additional KYC/KYB is required between app creators because acceptance into Canton requires sponsorship by a Supervalidator
What future opportunities are available?
Following are some of the future opportunities with Canton and CBTC:
Node operator rewards: As a validator securing CBTC, you'll earn additional rewards from minting activity
Customer minting: You can potentially mint CBTC on behalf of customers, earning Canton coin rewards to share with them
Utility-based rewards: Canton is shifting toward rewarding apps that create actual trading and financial activity, which should benefit CBTC holders
What if I have more questions?
Email [email protected] or join the community
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