tBTC, a decentralized Bitcoin alternative, has been operational for four years and has successfully bridged over $500 million. It is heavily audited and backed by a team with extensive experience in Bitcoin since 2014. The project is gaining traction as a vital component of decentralized finance (DeFi), with discussions around its role in the migration from Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) to tBTC. Additionally, the NEAR Protocol has launched a Bitcoin Light Client and Relayer, enabling integration between the Bitcoin network and the NEAR ecosystem, which enhances DeFi applications and overall Web3 interoperability. This development marks a significant step in connecting Bitcoin's growing DeFi ecosystem with NEAR's capabilities.