KEEP network
KEEP Network provides privacy-focused blockchain infrastructure using off-chain encrypted containers and operates tBTC, a decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge, serving DeFi users, BTC holders, and token stakers via the Threshold Network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersGeorge Town, Cayman Islands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What KEEP network does
KEEP Network is a privacy-focused blockchain infrastructure project founded in 2017 and operated by Keep SEZC, a Cayman Islands special economic zone company, under parent venture studio Thesis. The protocol enables smart contracts to use private data on public blockchains through off-chain containers called 'Keeps,' which store encrypted data outside the public chain while remaining accessible to on-chain logic. Its flagship product, tBTC, is positioned as the first truly decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge, allowing BTC holders to mint 1:1-backed tBTC tokens for use in Ethereum DeFi without centralized custodians.
In March 2021, KEEP Network merged with NuCypher to form the Threshold Network, unifying governance under a single T token and combining threshold cryptography and proxy re-encryption capabilities. Revenue mechanics are token-based rather than SaaS: users pay fees on tBTC minting and redemption, and KEEP (now T) stakers earn rewards for securing the network. Distribution is fully self-serve through the Threshold Dashboard and legacy Keep Dashboard, with tokens traded on Uniswap, Balancer, and Kraken, and staking extended via CoinList. The protocol has been audited by Consensys Diligence, Trail of Bits, and independent researcher Sergi Delgado, and is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Polychain Capital, Paradigm, Draper Associates, Fenbushi Capital, Fabric Ventures, and Distributed Capital Partners.
KEEP network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KEEP network
- Legal name
- Keep SEZC
- Website
- https://keep.network
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KEEP Network provides privacy-focused blockchain infrastructure using off-chain encrypted containers and operates tBTC, a decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge, serving DeFi users, BTC holders, and token stakers via the Threshold Network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KEEP network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Blockchain Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- On-Chain Payments & Stablecoin Infrastructure (Issuance, Rails, Treasury) (FSAGAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Stablecoins & On-Chain Money (fiat-backed, crypto-backed, algorithmic; issuance/redemption) (FSAPAEAB), Digital Asset Custody & Wallet Infrastructure for Institutions (MPC/HSM, key mgmt, policy controls) (FSAPAIAE)
Keywords
Where KEEP network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- George Town
- HQ country
- Cayman Islands
Offices1 record
Markets served
KEEP network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Token Economics (KEEP Token): KEEP token is a utility token for the Keep Network. Users stake KEEP to participate in network operations and earn rewards. The token also provides governance rights over protocol decisions.
- tBTC Transaction Fees: Users pay fees when minting and using tBTC. These fees support the decentralized network of stakers and node operators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Bug Bounty Program - Level 1 |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Bug Bounty Program - Level 2 |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Bug Bounty Program - Level 3 |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Bug Bounty Program - Level 4 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
KEEP network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KEEP network provides privacy-focused infrastructure for public blockchains through off-chain data containers called "Keeps" that enable smart contracts to use private data without exposing it on-chain. Its flagship product is tBTC, a decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge built on the Threshold Network (formed by the 2021 merger of Keep Network and NuCypher) that allows users to tokenize Bitcoin 1:1 for use in Ethereum DeFi without centralized intermediaries. The ecosystem is governed and operated via the T utility/governance token.
Product overview
KEEP Network offers a suite of privacy-focused blockchain products centered around threshold cryptography. The core offering is the Keep Network, which provides privacy infrastructure for public blockchains using off-chain containers called 'Keeps'. The flagship product is tBTC, the first decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge built on the Threshold Network (formed by the merger of Keep Network and NuCypher). Users can bridge their Bitcoin to Ethereum by minting tBTC tokens, which are backed 1:1 by Bitcoin. The ecosystem also includes staking functionality through the T token (which replaced KEEP and NU tokens), with support for both legacy Keep Dashboard and the newer Threshold dashboard.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Keep Network Privacy-focused infrastructure for the public blockchain that allows private data to be used on public protocols without sacrificing confidentiality. Uses off-chain containers called 'Keeps' that enable smart contracts to consume private data without exposing it on-chain.
- tBTC The first decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge built on the Threshold Network. Allows users to tokenize their Bitcoin for use on the Ethereum network in a secure and trustless way without intermediaries. Maintains 1:1 backing of BTC to tBTC.
- Threshold Network A merged network of Keep Network and NuCypher that empowers user sovereignty on the public blockchain with access to a suite of threshold cryptographic tools for full control over digital assets.
- T Token The utility and governance token for the Threshold Network. Users upgrade their KEEP and/or NU tokens to the unified T token.
- Legacy Keep Dashboard Legacy dashboard for managing KEEP tokens, including staking operations where KEEP stakers can operate a node or delegate to a staking provider.
- Playing for Keeps (Bug Bounty Program) Keep's bug bounty and vulnerability disclosure program that rewards security researchers for finding vulnerabilities in Keep client, contracts, and tBTC system. Rewards range up to 100,000 KEEP tokens for critical vulnerabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1:1 backed Bitcoin tokens (1 BTC = 1 tBTC)
Companies that use KEEP network
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
KEEP network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
KEEP network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Threshold NetworkflagshipResult of Keep and NuCypher merger. Provides threshold cryptographic tools including tBTC bridge. Unified token T for governance and utility.
- NuCypherflagshipProtocol merger forming the Threshold Network in 2021. The Keep and NuCypher networks merged to combine their encryption technologies and communities. This was a landmark on-chain merger for Ethereum.
- ThesiscoreThesis is the crypto venture studio that created and backs Keep Network. Matt Luongo is CEO of Thesis and project lead for Keep.
- Consensys DiligencecoreConducted security audit of Keep and tBTC in February 2020. Leading blockchain security firm.
- Trail of BitscoreConducted security audit of Keep and tBTC in June 2020. Top-tier security research company.
- CoinListcoreCoinList launched Threshold (T) staking, allowing their users to stake T tokens and participate in network consensus.
- UniswapcoreDecentralized exchange listing for KEEP token trading.
- BalancercoreDecentralized exchange listing for KEEP token.
- KrakencoreCentralized exchange listing for KEEP token trading.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
KEEP network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ren Protocol: Ren operated a decentralized BTC-to-Ethereum bridge (renBTC) using a similar threshold-signature architecture, making it the closest historical direct competitor to tBTC in the trustless Bitcoin bridging category.
- Threshold Network: Threshold is the merged entity formed by Keep Network and NuCypher in 2021. tBTC is now built on Threshold, making it the same protocol post-merger rather than an external peer.
- Wormhole: Wormhole is a generalized cross-chain messaging and asset bridge supporting BTC and many other assets. It overlaps with tBTC in the cross-chain BTC liquidity use case, though Wormhole serves a broader multi-chain footprint.
Broad incumbents
- BitGo (wBTC): BitGo-issued wBTC is the dominant ERC-20 wrapped Bitcoin by TVL. It competes with tBTC for BTC liquidity on Ethereum but uses a centralized, KYC'd custodian model — the structural counter to Keep's decentralized approach.
- LayerZero: LayerZero is an omnichain messaging protocol used by many cross-chain bridge applications. While not a direct BTC bridge, it powers competing bridging stacks (e.g., Stargate) that challenge tBTC's liquidity position.
- Chainlink: Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) provides generalized cross-chain messaging and token transfer infrastructure. It is broader than tBTC but represents an institutional-grade alternative for moving value across chains.
- Polygon: Polygon operates scaling and bridge infrastructure (including AggLayer) connecting multiple chains. It addresses a broader interoperability need than tBTC but competes for the same developer attention and cross-chain liquidity mindshare.
Emerging players
- Across Protocol: Across is an intent-based cross-chain bridge with strong BTC-to-Ethereum support and deep DeFi integrations. It competes with tBTC on speed, cost, and user experience for moving BTC liquidity into Ethereum.
- Stargate Finance: Stargate is a LayerZero-based cross-chain bridge that has become a leading venue for native-asset transfers including BTC. It overlaps with tBTC in the cross-chain BTC liquidity narrative and competes for DeFi integrator mindshare.
Others
- Synthetix: Synthetix is a DeFi synthetic-asset protocol that, like tBTC, enables Bitcoin exposure on Ethereum. It is adjacent rather than directly competitive, but addresses a similar end-user demand for non-custodial BTC price access on-chain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KEEP network social profiles
Digital presenceKEEP network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KEEP network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
KEEP network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors18 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KEEP network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KEEP network
What does KEEP network do?
KEEP network provides privacy-focused infrastructure for public blockchains through off-chain data containers called "Keeps" that enable smart contracts to use private data without exposing it on-chain. Its flagship product is tBTC, a decentralized Bitcoin-to-Ethereum bridge built on the Threshold Network (formed by the 2021 merger of Keep Network and NuCypher) that allows users to tokenize Bitcoin 1:1 for use in Ethereum DeFi without centralized intermediaries. The ecosystem is governed and operated via the T utility/governance token.
Is KEEP network a public or private company?
KEEP network is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was KEEP network founded?
KEEP network was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KEEP network based?
KEEP network is headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands.
How does KEEP network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Token Economics (KEEP Token) is the primary driver. The others are tBTC Transaction Fees.
Who are KEEP network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ren Protocol, Threshold Network and Wormhole. Broad incumbents are BitGo (wBTC), LayerZero, Chainlink and Polygon. Emerging players are Across Protocol and Stargate Finance. Synthetix is listed as an others.
Does KEEP network have an API?
No public API is recorded for KEEP network.
What industry is KEEP network in?
KEEP network's product category is Blockchain Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAGAMAD, On-Chain Payments & Stablecoin Infrastructure (Issuance, Rails, Treasury), with a secondary code of FSAPAEAB, Stablecoins & On-Chain Money (fiat-backed, crypto-backed, algorithmic; issuance/redemption). Its NAICS code is 522320 and its SIC code is 6199.