Chakra

What Chakra does

Chakra is a London-based, venture-backed crypto protocol (founded 2023–2024, 11–50 employees) building what it describes as the first modular settlement layer for Bitcoin liquidity. Its core product is a zero-knowledge proof-based settlement network with a cross-chain Proof-of-Stake architecture, Merkle Tree Root voting, and dynamic validator optimization (collectors/verifiers), designed to enable secure bridging of native BTC and BTC-derived assets across 20+ blockchains. Reported operating metrics include $122.5M Total Value Locked and 52K+ users (per defillama). Chakra has not yet launched a monetized mainnet; as of the latest inputs, it operates a multi-phase testnet (DevNet → Staking → Points System Phase 3) and a Bitcoin Pre-Staking Pool integrated with Babylon.

The protocol serves three primary customer segments: Layer 2 networks and execution layers seeking native BTC liquidity settlement; LST/LRT protocols (e.g., Lombard, Bedrock, StakeStone) that need BTC liquidity for PoS yield products; and the broader DeFi ecosystem requiring cross-chain BTC composability. Distribution occurs through a self-serve web application (app.chakrachain.io), direct integrations with L2s (StarkNet, Arbitrum, Scroll, Linea, Mantle, Bitlayer), and channel partnerships with major wallets (OKX, Binance Web3, Bitget, OneKey, Cobo). Chakra raised undisclosed funding in April 2024 from StarkWare, Bixin Ventures, Cogitent Ventures, and Trustless Labs. The stated revenue model is transaction fees on cross-chain settlement, but fees have not yet been activated at meaningful scale.

Chakra's competitive positioning rests on first-mover design of a modular BTC settlement layer, a deep two-sided integration footprint (Babylon as core BTC-security anchor plus 20+ chain and wallet partners), and a community-led, product-led growth motion executed through testnet campaigns, airdrops, Awakener NFTs, and active social/community channels (Twitter, Telegram, Discord, Medium, Mirror, YouTube). The company is headquartered in London, operates globally, and is actively hiring for marketing and backend engineering roles, signaling continued organizational scaling ahead of mainnet.

Name

Chakra

Website

https://chakrachain.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chakra is a London-based crypto protocol building a zero-knowledge, modular settlement layer that bridges native BTC and BTC-derived assets across 20+ blockchains. It serves Layer 2 networks, LST/LRT protocols, and DeFi applications via Babylon integration and wallet-channel distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain Settlement Infrastructure

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Securities and Commodity Exchanges (523210)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquid Staking & Restaking Protocols (FSADAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Blockchain Settlement & Clearing Infrastructure (On-/Off-chain Post-Trade) (FSAGAMAC), Protocol Security, Monitoring & Risk Tooling (audits, formal verification, analytics) (FSAPAAAL)

Keywords

• Bitcoin restaking protocol
• Modular settlement layer
• Zero-knowledge settlement
• Cross-chain BTC liquidity
• Liquid staking derivatives

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Transaction fees: Revenue generated from transaction processing fees on the settlement network. The protocol facilitates cross-chain BTC and BTC-derived asset transfers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chakra operates a modular settlement network for Bitcoin liquidity based on zero-knowledge proof technology. It enables secure bridging and cross-chain settlement of native BTC and BTC-derived assets (such as LSTs/LRTs) across more than 20 blockchains using a shared settlement layer and Merkle Tree-based validator voting. The protocol targets L2 networks, execution layers, LST/LRT protocols, and individual stakers seeking to access Bitcoin liquidity outside the Bitcoin base layer.

Product overview

Chakra is a Bitcoin re-collateralization protocol based on zero-knowledge technology, positioning itself as the first modular settlement network. The core offering consists of Chakra Protocol (the modular settlement layer enabling cross-chain BTC liquidity) and the Chakra App (user interface for interacting with the network). The ecosystem integrates with Babylon for Bitcoin staking security, supports 20+ blockchains including various L2s (Starknet, Arbitrum, Scroll, Linea, Mantle), and enables LST/LRT protocols to leverage Bitcoin liquidity in Proof-of-Stake. The testnet has progressed through multiple phases including DevNet launch, staking functionality, and a points system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chakra Protocol The first modular settlement network that resolves Bitcoin liquidity fragmentation with cross-chain PoS architecture and a shared settlement layer. Enables secure bridging of native BTC and BTC-derived assets across more than 20 blockchains with Merkle Tree-based transaction validation in approximately 3 seconds. Targeted at L2 networks, LST/LRT protocols, and DeFi applications.
• Chakra App Self-serve web application interface for interacting with Chakra's modular settlement network, enabling users to stake Bitcoin, manage cross-chain BTC transactions, and access liquidity across supported blockchains.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-second transaction validation
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BabyloncoreTechnology or Integration · 23 May 2024Chakra and Babylon integration enabling the full potential of Bitcoin through Babylon's staking infrastructure. Chakra serves as a settlement layer for Babylon's Bitcoin staking protocol.
• OKX WalletminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEcosystem partner - OKX Wallet is a digital asset wallet providing asset management, currency exchange, and cross-chain swap capabilities.
• Binance Web3 WalletminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEcosystem partner - Binance Web3 Wallet is a self-custody crypto wallet within the Binance app for DeFi access.
• Bitget WalletminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEcosystem partner - Bitget Wallet is a decentralized multi-chain crypto wallet offering DApp access, aggregate exchange, and wealth management.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• BounceBit: BounceBit is building BTC restaking infrastructure with a PoS Layer 1 secured by BTC-staked validators. It overlaps with Chakra on BTC restaking but offers an L1 rather than a settlement layer, making it an adjacent competitor.
• Pell Network: Pell is a BTC restaking and yield network focused on extending Bitcoin security to other chains. It overlaps with Chakra on the BTC restaking thesis, particularly around Babylon-aligned ecosystems.
• Bitlayer: Bitlayer is a Bitcoin Layer 2 built on BitVM offering Bitcoin-equivalent security. It is a Chakra ecosystem partner but competes for the same Bitcoin liquidity and DeFi use cases Chakra routes across chains.

Broad incumbents

• Symbiotic: Symbiotic is a generalized restaking and shared-security network. Like EigenLayer, it is not BTC-native but competes for the same cross-chain restaking integrations and developer mindshare that anchor Chakra's LST/LRT partner ecosystem.
• EigenLayer: EigenLayer pioneered the restaking primitive on Ethereum. While not BTC-native, it sets the architectural and economic template that BTC restaking protocols (including Chakra's partners) are cloning for the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Lombard: Lombard is a Bitcoin liquid staking protocol issuing LBTC, a yield-bearing cross-chain liquid Bitcoin. It is one of Chakra's named ecosystem partners and pursues the same BTC liquidity-restaking thesis, making it the closest direct peer.
• Babylon: Babylon is the dominant Bitcoin staking protocol and Chakra's core strategic partner, where Chakra serves as settlement layer and pre-staking pool operator. While they are tightly integrated, Babylon is also the platform whose ecosystem Chakra competes within.
• Bedrock: Bedrock is a multi-asset liquid restaking protocol that unlocks liquidity in PoS tokens. It is also a Chakra ecosystem partner competing for the same BTC and restaking integration layer across L2s.
• StakeStone: StakeStone provides liquid staking derivatives that integrate with Chakra's settlement layer. Both target cross-chain yield-bearing BTC and ETH representations with overlapping LST/LRT positioning.
• PumpBTC: PumpBTC is a BTC liquid staking protocol integrated within Chakra's staking-derivatives stack. It competes for the same BTC yield-bearing and restaking liquidity flows Chakra routes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChakraChain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCokGtzfZF8GwPPGkeYczVdQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chakra-chain

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chakra