Lombard Unveils BARD Token for Bitcoin Liquid Staking

Published: 2025-08-23 15:33:01 |

Lombard Finance, a key player in Bitcoin liquid staking, has launched the Liquid Bitcoin Foundation and its governance token, BARD, to expand Bitcoin’s role in DeFi. The move aims to mobilize idle BTC liquidity and integrate digital gold into on-chain capital markets. The $BARD token underpins the new foundation. A $6.75 million community sale is open to over 260,000 LBTC holders and broader Bitcoin users. BARD will grant holders voting rights, staking privileges, and access to research grants, boosting governance of the LBTC protocol. Liquid staking transforms Bitcoin into a yield-bearing asset. Users stake BTC via protocols like Babylon and receive LBTC, a 1:1 token that can be deployed across Ethereum, Base, BNB Chain and other networks. LBTC holders can lend, borrow, and provide liquidity on platforms such as Aave, Pendle and Morpho. Bitcoin liquid staking remains nascent at $2.5 billion compared with Ethereum’s $38 billion stETH market. Lombard’s LBTC accounts for $1.4 billion, around 40% of the sector. The launch of BARD token and foundation is expected to accelerate the adoption of Bitcoin liquid staking and deepen BTC liquidity in DeFi. Traders should watch $BARD listing events and foundation governance proposals. The protocol’s growth could open fresh yield strategies and market opportunities in Bitcoin DeFi.

Bullish

This news is bullish for the cryptocurrency market. The launch of the BARD token and the Liquid Bitcoin Foundation marks a key step in developing Bitcoin into a yield-bearing DeFi asset. Similar to Ethereum’s stETH expansion after Lido introduced stETH governance mechanisms, Bitcoin liquid staking could draw trillions of idle BTC into active markets. In the short term, traders may see increased trading volume and positive price action around LBTC and BARD token listings. Over the long term, improved governance and deeper liquidity could support the growth of Bitcoin-based lending, borrowing, and liquidity provision, strengthening market confidence and expanding use cases. The expansion of Bitcoin liquid staking also diversifies yield sources and enhances network utility, which historically drives bullish sentiment.