What is Wrapped Bitcoin? Understanding Wrapped Bitcoin, Wrapped Ethereum and others- Republic World

**Decoding Wrapped Bitcoin and Wrapped Ethereum: Unraveling the World of Wrapped Cryptocurrencies**

**Introduction:**
Cryptocurrencies have been making waves across the globe in recent years, garnering immense popularity. With the recent positive stance taken by the Indian government towards cryptocurrencies, the market has seen a surge in prices, particularly for tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, with the introduction of taxation on income generated through cryptocurrency trading, investors are now seeking to delve deeper into the world of digital currencies to better understand technologies like Wrapped Bitcoin and Wrapped Ethereum.

**The Challenge with Native Tokens:**
Bitcoin and Ethereum, two of the most prominent cryptocurrencies, operate on different blockchains with unique functionalities and protocols. This disparity hinders seamless interaction between them, posing a challenge for developing an interoperable exchange system for cryptocurrencies.

**Introducing Wrapped Cryptocurrencies:**
Wrapped tokens have emerged as a solution to bridge the gap between different blockchain networks. Wrapped Bitcoin, for instance, is a digital token equivalent in value to one Bitcoin but operates on the Ethereum blockchain as an ERC-20 token. This feature enables its utilization within the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ecosystem predominantly built on Ethereum’s blockchain technology.

**Wrapped Bitcoin in Action:**
According to a research paper by Binance, Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) is an ERC-20 digital asset backed by Bitcoin in a 1:1 ratio. The process involves Merchants like Kyber Network and REN minting and burning WBTC tokens, while BitGo acts as the Custodian holding the BTC reserves. Users can exchange BTC for WBTC through Merchants, facilitating the transfer and redemption process seamlessly.

**Understanding Wrapped Ethereum:**
Wrapped Ethereum (wETH) is a tradeable form of ETH compatible with DeFi protocols. As the native Ethereum platform lacks ERC-20 support, wETH enables efficient trading of Ethereum-based altcoins and participation in DeFi ecosystems.

**Benefits of WBTC and wETH:**
– Enhanced liquidity within the Ethereum ecosystem through WBTC.
– Conversion of Bitcoin into ERC-20 format supports smart contract creation.
– Simplified transaction management in decentralized finance via Ethereum node.
– Current market cap of Wrapped Bitcoin stands at Rs. 812.4B, with over 262.0K WBTC in circulation.

**Conclusion:**
Wrapped Bitcoin and Wrapped Ethereum represent innovative solutions that promote interoperability and accessibility within the cryptocurrency space. As the market continues to evolve, understanding these wrapped tokens can provide investors and enthusiasts with new opportunities to engage with decentralized finance and explore the growing ecosystem of digital assets.