Alpen provides an EVM-compatible environment for building decentralized financial applications directly on Bitcoin. The platform enables users to leverage their BTC for borrowing, earning interest, and spending through a novel 1-of-N Bitcoin bridge. All financial transactions settle directly on Bitcoin, inheriting its double-spend security via a unique ZK rollup architecture.
Funding
$8.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
+2Founders
Product
Problem
Many individuals, particularly in developing regions, lack access to traditional financial services, hindering their economic empowerment and participation in the global economy. Existing financial infrastructure often excludes those without formal identification or banking history.
Solution
Alpen Labs is developing a modular rollup layer on Bitcoin that leverages zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptography to create a more inclusive and accessible financial ecosystem. This infrastructure aims to provide a secure and efficient platform for financial applications, enabling individuals to participate in Bitcoin-based financial systems. By building directly on Bitcoin, Alpen Labs seeks to tap into the network's security and decentralization to offer greater financial agency to underserved populations. The ZK-enabled infrastructure allows for scalable payments and trustless bridges, expanding financial access for everyday people.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes developers seeking to build financial applications on Bitcoin, as well as individuals in developing regions who lack access to traditional financial services.
Features
- Modular rollup architecture for enhanced scalability and flexibility
- Zero-knowledge cryptography for privacy and security
- Native ZK proof verifiers on Bitcoin for trustless bridging
- Scalable payments with ZK client-side validation protocols
- Optimistic ZK bridge for Bitcoin
- Focus on delivering real-world utility for financial applications