Restaked Btc · Review
ActiveGTBTC Review 2026: Gate's Custodial BTC Staking Token
GTBTC is a 1:1 receipt token for BTC staked through Gate's exchange, accruing yield via Gate's internal earn system. It carries exchange custody risk, not just smart-contract risk.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
6.3/10
Mixed
Our verdict on GTBTC
6.3/10GTBTC suits BTC holders already comfortable with Gate who want a simple yield product with a 1:1 receipt token and stated redemption at any time. Its main strength is simplicity and sizable reported TVL. The main caveat is custody: the BTC sits with a centralized exchange, no audits are listed, and the yield source and fees are not disclosed. Review the rate and redemption terms in the Gate app first.
Score breakdown
How GTBTC scores
- Security
- 5.5/10
- Ease of use
- 7.5/10
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- n/a
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is GTBTC?
GTBTC is the receipt token for Gate BTC Staking, a product from the Gate crypto exchange. Users stake BTC on Gate and receive GTBTC at a 1:1 ratio, with yield accruing through Gate's internal staking and earn mechanism.
DefiLlama files it under Restaked BTC on the Bitcoin chain, with about $277.6 million in TVL and a 7-day change of -1.1%. It has been listed since 2025-11-13, has no token of its own and shows no audits.
Gate is a large centralized exchange that offers spot, futures, options, lending, tokenized stocks and earn products. GTBTC is one part of that wider platform, so its risks follow Gate's custody and operations.
How GTBTC works
A user stakes BTC on Gate and receives GTBTC at a 1:1 ratio. GTBTC works as a receipt for the staked BTC. Its value is tied to BTC, and yield accrues through Gate's internal staking and earn system.
When the user wants out, they redeem GTBTC back into BTC, which DefiLlama says is possible at any time. Because the process runs inside a centralized exchange, Gate holds the BTC and operates the yield program. This differs from on-chain restaking protocols, where smart contracts handle custody.
The project does not say how Gate generates the yield or which strategies it uses.
5 features
Key features
01
1:1 BTC receipt token
BTC staked on Gate is exchanged for GTBTC at a 1:1 ratio, giving a receipt token for the staked position.
02
Yield via Gate Earn
Yield accrues through Gate's internal staking and earn mechanism rather than through an on-chain strategy.
03
Redeem to BTC
Users can redeem GTBTC back into BTC at any time, according to DefiLlama's description.
04
Integrated with Gate exchange
Staking sits inside the Gate exchange, which also offers spot, futures, lending and other earn products.
05
Reserve and security claims
Gate states it publishes 100% Proof of Reserves and holds user funds in full cold storage.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Simple 1:1 BTC receipt structure that is easy to understand
- Redeemable to BTC at any time, per DefiLlama
- Significant reported TVL of about $277.6 million
- Sits inside a large exchange with other earn and lending products
- Gate publishes Proof of Reserves and cold storage claims
Watch out for
- Custodial: BTC is held on Gate's platform, so users carry exchange counterparty risk
- No audits are listed on DefiLlama for the product
- Yield source is described only as Gate's internal staking/earn mechanism, with no published breakdown
- Rate, fee and redemption terms are not public, so they must be checked in the Gate app
- Listed only since November 2025, so the track record is short
- No standalone token or on-chain governance, so the product depends on Gate's own policies
GTBTC fees
Fees for Gate BTC Staking and GTBTC are not published publicly. Staking and redemption costs, the yield rate and any spread retained by Gate would be shown in the Gate app or on the staking product page.
The Gate homepage advertises zero-fee features for some products, such as P2P and Convert, but nothing says this applies to GTBTC. Do not assume it does.
Is GTBTC safe?
GTBTC is a custodial product. BTC is staked on Gate's platform, so the main risks are exchange solvency, operational failures, account security and regulatory action, not just smart-contract bugs. DefiLlama lists no audits for it.
Gate's homepage says it offers 100% Proof of Reserves and full cold storage for user funds, and lists a licenses page. These are the company's own statements, and the project does not provide license details or incident history. Only stake what you can afford to have locked in a custodial setting, and enable two-factor authentication.
6 steps
How to get started with GTBTC
- 1
Check that Gate's services are available and permitted where you live.
- 2
Create and verify a Gate account, and secure it with two-factor authentication.
- 3
Deposit BTC to the account or buy it on the platform.
- 4
Open the Gate BTC Staking product and read the rate, terms and redemption conditions.
- 5
Stake BTC to receive GTBTC at the stated 1:1 ratio.
- 6
Track the yield in the account and redeem GTBTC for BTC when you want to exit.
Who GTBTC is for
GTBTC is for Gate users who hold BTC and want yield without managing on-chain restaking. It is less suited to people who need non-custodial control or who want transparent, auditable yield sources.
GTBTC FAQs
What is GTBTC?
GTBTC is a token issued by Gate when users stake BTC through Gate BTC Staking. It is issued at a 1:1 ratio with the BTC staked and accrues yield through Gate's internal staking and earn mechanism.
Can I redeem GTBTC for BTC?
According to the DefiLlama description, users can redeem GTBTC back into BTC at any time. Exact processing times, limits and any fees are not public, so check them in the Gate app before staking.
Where does GTBTC yield come from?
The yield is described as coming from Gate's internal staking/earn mechanism. The project does not break down where the returns originate or what the rate is, so treat any quoted APR as set by Gate.
Is GTBTC decentralized?
It is custodial. BTC is staked on the Gate platform, so users rely on Gate rather than a decentralized protocol. Gate advertises Proof of Reserves and cold storage, but those are the company's own claims and are not a guarantee.
How much BTC is staked in GTBTC?
DefiLlama tracks about $277.6 million in TVL on the Bitcoin chain, down roughly 1.1% over seven days. The product has been listed since 2025-11-13.
Has GTBTC been audited?
DefiLlama lists no audits for the product. Gate publishes pages on Proof of Reserves and Proof of Security on its site, but those are separate from an independent smart-contract audit.
Compare
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How we checked
Sources
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