Sundial Enables First Cross-Chain BTC Transfer Between Bitcoin and Cardano

We’re proud to share that Sundial Protocol has played a critical role in a major milestone for blockchain interoperability: the first bridgeless cross-chain transfer of Bitcoin between the Bitcoin and Cardano networks.

Executed on mainnet by BitcoinOS, the demonstration successfully moved 1 BTC across chains without relying on custodial bridges. Instead, it used xBTC—a programmable Bitcoin token secured by zero-knowledge proofs (BitSNARK)—to enable a fully trustless, verifiable transaction. The BTC was wrapped on the Bitcoin side, transferred to Sundial’s Cardano wallet, passed through Handle’s identity infrastructure, and then returned and unwrapped back to native BTC on Bitcoin.

This achievement highlights the power of combining Bitcoin’s security with Cardano’s smart contract capabilities. It’s a clear example of how Sundial enables seamless cross-chain interactions, unlocking new DeFi use cases for Bitcoin while preserving decentralization.

Sheldon Hunt, Sundial Protocol’s founder, stated: “This sets the foundation for Bitcoin to operate across ecosystems without compromising its core values.” Edan Yago, core contributor to BitcoinOS, echoed that sentiment, calling it “a turning point” for Bitcoin’s integration with programmable finance.”

We see this as a major leap toward a future where liquidity and utility flow freely across chains—bridgeless, secure, and decentralized.