Bitcoin ecosystem developer Velar has announced the creation of Velar Labs, a separate entity tasked with incubating the best projects developing Bitcoin solutions. Velar Labs will provide a combination of best-in-class technical infrastructure support and strategic investment to give Bitcoin-focused startups the resources they need to succeed.
Partners Line Up to Back Velar Labs
Velar is highly regarded within the Bitcoin ecosystem on account of its solutions for bringing liquidity to L2s and unlocking new use cases, particularly in the context of DeFi. It recently launched the first Bitcoin native perps DEX, allowing BTC to be used as collateral for trading activities. Its decision to form Velar Labs is a recognition of the fact that Velar can’t do it all and that the best way to accelerate innovation is through providing the tools, funding, and incentives for startups to build upon its infra.
The launch of Velar Labs has entailed more than simply a mandate from Velar: it’s got a highly accomplished network of partners onside in the form of BTC Startup Lab, Sats Ventures, and BitcoinFi Accelerator. Known for its hands-on approach, BTC Startup Lab mentors early-stage projects with guidance from industry veterans. From product development to market strategy, the incubator provides everything needed to transform ideas into fully-fledged products.
As for Sats Ventures, with Kevin Williams, a seasoned Bitcoin investor, at the helm, the focus is on early-stage investment opportunities. By providing strategic funding and expert development advice, Sats Ventures helps projects navigate the complexities of scaling and adoption. Then there’s BitcoinFi, one of the earliest pioneers in Bitcoin acceleration. It offers a rigorous six-week program designed to refine technical architecture, build sustainable business models, and connect projects with industry leaders.
The Bull Case for Building on Bitcoin
The timing of the announcement from Velar is significant given the recent performance of BTC and the inflow of institutional capital that’s placed Bitcoin at the head of the current market rally. Bitcoin is up 130% in the past year, and its dominance versus the rest of the crypto market stands at 58%, illustrating its current stranglehold over the industry. There’s never been a better time to build on Bitcoin, in other words, and get some of its $1.7T in assets to work in powering use cases on Bitcoin L2.
With increasing institutional interest, rapid technological evolution, and growing demand for decentralized financial tools, Bitcoin is no longer just digital gold or magical internet money: it has the potential to become the foundation for an entirely new financial system. The Bitcoin space is evolving at an extraordinary pace, and opportunity and complexity come with it.
On the one hand, the ecosystem is buzzing with potential, driven by significant advancements like Bitcoin ETFs and enhanced scalability solutions. On the other hand, building within the Bitcoin framework presents unique challenges: fragmented infrastructure, limited developer tools, and the need for robust security measures.
Velar Labs aims to help builders overcome these hurdles, offering a comprehensive suite of services that empower innovators to turn bold ideas into reality. In doing so, it will seek to transform Bitcoin from a store of value into a thriving engine for decentralized finance and beyond. Velar Labs has extended an open invitation to developers willing to play a part in this future to apply to its incubator program and start creating new products that expand the possibilities of what Bitcoin is capable of.
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