What is WBTC?
WBTC brings bitcoin to Ethereum as an ERC-20 token. Real bitcoin is held in custody, led by BitGo (which moved to a multi-jurisdiction setup with partner BiT Global in 2024), and WBTC is minted or burned 1:1 against it by approved merchants.
That design lets you use bitcoin in Ethereum apps, but you are trusting the custodians to hold the reserve. If you want to own bitcoin outright, a native BTC swap avoids that trust.
WBTC uses 8 decimals, like bitcoin, not the 18 used by most ERC-20 tokens.
Where you can swap WBTC
WBTC is in the default token list on these networks. ChainBridge compares 0x, KyberSwap and ParaSwap on each of them and keeps the route that leaves you the most after fees and gas.
- Ethereum
- Arbitrum
- Optimism
- Polygon
- Linea
WBTC on Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon and Linea is bridged from Ethereum, adding the bridge to the custodian risk.
Common pairs
| Pair | Why traders use it |
|---|---|
| WBTC / ETH | Rotate between Bitcoin and Ether exposure on Ethereum. |
| WBTC / USDC | Take profit or buy the dip in dollars. |
| WBTC → native BTC | Cross-chain through THORChain from Ethereum, delivered to your Bitcoin address. |
Risks to know
Custodian risk
Every WBTC depends on bitcoin held by the custodians. A custody failure or a frozen reserve would break the 1:1 backing.
Price drift
WBTC usually trades within a fraction of a percent of BTC, but the gap can widen when confidence in the custodian drops.
Bridge risk on other networks
Outside Ethereum, WBTC is a bridged token: you rely on the custodian and on the bridge.
How to swap WBTC on ChainBridge
Connect your wallet
ChainBridge never holds your funds: the swap executes from your own wallet.
Pick WBTC and the token to swap against
Choose the network, then the two tokens and the amount.
Compare the quote
Check the amount you receive, the minimum after slippage, the price impact and every fee. See reading a swap quote.
Review and sign
The transaction is simulated and the token is screened before you sign. A predicted revert or an unsellable token blocks the swap.
FAQ
Is WBTC the same as bitcoin?
No. WBTC is an Ethereum token that represents bitcoin held by custodians. It tracks the BTC price, but you cannot send it to a Bitcoin address.
How do I turn WBTC into real BTC?
On Ethereum, sell WBTC and choose Bitcoin as the destination network in the swap card. THORChain swaps it and sends native BTC to the address you enter.
Why does WBTC have 8 decimals?
To match bitcoin, whose smallest unit is one hundred-millionth of a coin. Wallets and apps read the decimals from the token contract, so amounts display correctly.