b14g | Bitcoin Restaking

b14g is a Bitcoin restaking protocol that leverages BTC’s economic security to secure other networks. Networks and protocols that benefit from the added security provided by staked BTC are known as BVS (Bitcoin Validated Services).

The primary mechanism of b14g is Merge Restaking, which allows users to combine their staked BTC with aBVS’s native token (e.g., CORE tokens on Core Chain) for restaking. If malicious behavior occurs, the native tokens are slashed, while the BTC remains protected. This enables Bitcoin’s security to be reused across multiple platforms without risking BTC itself.

Currently, Core Chain relies on a single Relayer Node to synchronize data between the Bitcoin network and CoreChain. This centralized setup poses a security risk, as the Relayer becomes a potential attack target. To mitigate this, b14g introduces the Observer Node, a decentralized node (implemented via the Operator Contract) that monitors and secures the relaying process of BTC Non-custodial staking on Core Chain.

The Observer Node is a practical usecase of Merge Restaking, where users merge their staked BTC(via CoreDAO BTC Non-custodial staking) with CORE tokens to secure the node. In the event of malicious behavior, only the locked CORE tokens are slashed, ensuring that the staked BTC remains untouched. This approach ensures responsible restaking behavior by targeting the token tied to BVS governance and utility. By keeping BTC safe from slashing,the b14g protocol encourages broader user participation without compromising their primary assets, thus strengthening the security of both the BVS and the Observer Node.