eBTC Yield Calculator
Calculate Your eBTC Earnings
Estimate your potential yield from eBTC staking based on current rates (8-13% APY).
Your Estimated Earnings
Your Bitcoin will earn yield through dual staking:
Bitcoin Staking: 3-5% APY + Ethereum Restaking: 5-8% APY
Total Estimated APY: 8-13%
Note: Actual yields may vary based on network conditions, protocol updates, and market changes. Current APY is based on historical data from ether.fi's platform.
Most Bitcoin holders know the problem: your BTC sits idle. You can’t stake it like Ethereum. You can’t earn yield without giving up control or trusting a centralized exchange. That’s where eBTC comes in - a new kind of Bitcoin token that lets you earn yield without selling or locking up your coins.
What exactly is eBTC?
eBTC, short for ether.fi Staked BTC, is a Bitcoin-backed token built on Ethereum and compatible chains like Base and Arbitrum. It’s not just another wrapped Bitcoin like WBTC. While WBTC simply represents BTC on Ethereum, eBTC actively earns you yield - from both Bitcoin staking and Ethereum restaking - all at the same time.
Think of it this way: you deposit your Bitcoin (either as LBTC or WBTC) into ether.fi’s vault. In return, you get eBTC tokens. Every day, those tokens grow in value because they’re generating yield. And you can still use them like regular crypto - lend them on Aave, provide liquidity on Curve, or trade them on DEXs. Your Bitcoin stays locked in a secure, audited system, but your money keeps working.
How does eBTC earn yield?
eBTC doesn’t just sit there. It’s deployed across two layers:
- Babylon Protocol - This is where your Bitcoin gets staked directly on the Bitcoin network. It’s the first time Bitcoin has been staked in a secure, decentralized way. You earn roughly 3-5% APY here.
- Ethereum restaking protocols - Your Bitcoin’s value is then used to secure Ethereum-based services like EigenLayer, Symbiotic, and Karak. These protocols pay 5-8% APY for helping secure Ethereum’s security layer.
Combined, that’s a potential 8-13% APY. That’s far higher than leaving Bitcoin in a wallet or even using a centralized exchange’s staking program, which rarely pays more than 2-3% and often requires you to give up custody.
Unlike traditional staking, where your coins are locked for months, eBTC is liquid. You can redeem it 1:1 for your original Bitcoin anytime. The system burns eBTC when you withdraw and mints new ones when you deposit - so the supply always matches the underlying Bitcoin backing it.
Who made eBTC, and is it safe?
eBTC was built by ether.fi, a DeFi platform founded by ex-Google engineers and Ethereum core developers. The team has a track record: they launched weETH and eUSD before eBTC, and their platforms have processed over $2B in user deposits.
Security is handled through multiple layers:
- Third-party audits by OpenZeppelin and ChainSecurity (latest audit: September 2024)
- Non-custodial design - you never hand over your private keys
- Weekly reserve attestations - public proof that every eBTC is backed by real Bitcoin
- Smart contracts deployed across Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and Corn - reducing single-chain risk
It’s not risk-free. If Babylon or EigenLayer gets hacked, your yield could drop or be delayed. But the system is designed to minimize central points of failure. Unlike centralized staking services, no single company controls your funds.
How is eBTC different from WBTC or renBTC?
Here’s the key difference:
| Feature | eBTC | WBTC | renBTC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Generation | Yes - dual yield from Bitcoin staking + Ethereum restaking | No - just a 1:1 tokenized BTC | No - just a 1:1 tokenized BTC |
| Bitcoin Staking | Yes - via Babylon | No | No |
| Restaking | Yes - via EigenLayer, Symbiotic, Karak | No | No |
| Liquidity | Low - ~$400K daily volume on Curve | Very High - $300M+ daily volume | Medium - ~$15M daily volume |
| Redeemability | 1:1 Bitcoin, instant | 1:1 Bitcoin, 1-3 days | 1:1 Bitcoin, 1-3 days |
eBTC is the only one that turns Bitcoin into a yield-generating asset. WBTC and renBTC are just digital copies. They don’t earn anything. If you’re holding them, you’re missing out on passive income.
Who’s using eBTC?
Early adopters are mostly experienced DeFi users and institutions. Over 12 institutional clients - including Edge Capital and GSR Ventures - are managing over $200M in eBTC positions. On Reddit and DeFi forums, users report earning 0.015 BTC in just three weeks on a 2 BTC deposit - that’s nearly 10% APY.
But there are complaints. Some users say the deposit process is confusing, especially if you’re new to Web3 wallets. Others point out that liquidity is thin - trading more than $50,000 in eBTC can cause big slippage. And while the yield looks great, it’s not guaranteed. If Ethereum has a network upgrade (like the Pectra upgrade in September 2024), restaking protocols can pause, and your yield drops temporarily.
How to get eBTC
Getting eBTC isn’t as simple as buying it on Coinbase. You need a Web3 wallet (MetaMask, Rabby, or Frame), some Bitcoin (in LBTC or WBTC form), and a bit of patience.
- Connect your wallet to ether.fi (no sign-up needed).
- Deposit WBTC or LBTC into the eBTC vault.
- Receive eBTC tokens instantly - they start earning yield right away.
- Use them in DeFi: lend on Aave, stake on Curve, or hold in your wallet.
- When you want Bitcoin back, burn your eBTC and get your original BTC delivered.
Gas fees on Ethereum are around $1.50-$3 per transaction. On Base, they’re under $0.10 - so if you’re doing frequent trades, use Base.
The learning curve is steep if you’ve never used DeFi before. ether.fi’s documentation scores 4.1/5 for clarity, but beginners often need 3-5 hours to feel comfortable. Their Discord server (15,200 members) and Telegram group (8,700 members) are helpful - average response time is under 30 minutes.
What’s next for eBTC?
ether.fi has a clear roadmap:
- Q1 2025 - Cross-chain redemption (withdraw eBTC for BTC on Bitcoin L2s like Merlin Chain)
- Q1 2025 - Boosted yield pools for concentrated liquidity positions
- Q2 2025 - Integration with Bitcoin L2s to reduce fees and improve speed
Industry analysts believe Bitcoin restaking could unlock $10B+ in dormant Bitcoin value. Right now, only 0.8% of Bitcoin’s $1.2T market cap is earning yield. eBTC is leading that charge.
But there are risks. Regulatory bodies might classify eBTC as a security if they see the yield as an investment contract. And if any of the three protocols (Babylon, EigenLayer, Karak) suffer a major exploit, eBTC’s yield could collapse. Gauntlet Networks estimates a 15% chance of a critical failure within 12 months.
Should you use eBTC?
If you’re holding Bitcoin and want to earn real yield without selling, eBTC is the most advanced option available. It’s the only product that lets you stake Bitcoin and restake its value on Ethereum - all while keeping full control.
But it’s not for everyone:
- Use eBTC if: You’re comfortable with DeFi, you’re looking for high yield, and you understand smart contract risk.
- Avoid eBTC if: You want simplicity, you’re new to crypto, or you need high liquidity for large trades.
For most Bitcoin holders, eBTC is a game-changer. It turns idle Bitcoin into active capital. And in a market where yield is everything, that’s not just smart - it’s essential.
Is eBTC the same as WBTC?
No. WBTC is just a tokenized version of Bitcoin that doesn’t earn yield. eBTC is a Bitcoin-backed token that earns dual yield from Bitcoin staking and Ethereum restaking. You can use eBTC like WBTC in DeFi, but you also earn interest on top.
Can I buy eBTC on Coinbase or Binance?
Not yet. eBTC is only available on decentralized exchanges like Curve and Uniswap. You can’t buy it directly on centralized exchanges like Coinbase or Binance. You must deposit Bitcoin (as LBTC or WBTC) into ether.fi’s platform to receive eBTC.
How much yield can I expect from eBTC?
You can expect 8-13% APY on average, combining Bitcoin staking (3-5%) and Ethereum restaking (5-8%). Actual yields change daily based on protocol rates. Some users reported 9.8% APY over 3 weeks in October 2024.
Is eBTC safe?
eBTC is one of the most secure Bitcoin yield products available. It’s non-custodial, regularly audited by OpenZeppelin, and backed 1:1 by Bitcoin. But like all DeFi, it carries smart contract risk. If Babylon or EigenLayer fails, your yield could pause or be reduced - but your principal Bitcoin is still recoverable.
What happens if I want to withdraw my Bitcoin?
You can redeem your eBTC 1:1 for Bitcoin anytime. The process burns your eBTC and releases the equivalent amount of Bitcoin (either as LBTC or WBTC) to your wallet. There’s no lock-up period. Withdrawals typically take under 10 minutes.
Can I use eBTC on Aave or Uniswap?
Yes. eBTC is integrated into over 400 DeFi protocols, including Aave, Curve, and Uniswap. You can lend it, borrow against it, or provide liquidity - and still earn yield in the background. That’s a major advantage over non-liquid staking options.