Zest Protocol (ZEST)

Zest Protocol is a Bitcoin-focused lending project designed to bring decentralised finance functionality to BTC holders without moving the asset away from the Bitcoin ecosystem. Its native token, ZEST, sits at the centre of a protocol that targets lending markets across Bitcoin layer-2 networks and is extending its model to Bitcoin layer 1 through Bitcoin Collateral Vaults.

The project addresses a long-standing limitation in Bitcoin markets: BTC is highly liquid and widely held, but it has historically been difficult to use in on-chain credit applications compared with assets on smart contract platforms such as Ethereum. Zest Protocol aims to close that gap by enabling users to access lending and borrowing products that treat Bitcoin as primary collateral, while relying on Bitcoin-aligned infrastructure rather than general-purpose DeFi venues alone.

ZEST is associated with the protocol’s economic and governance layer, giving the asset a role beyond simple payments. As the Zest ecosystem grows, the token is intended to support participation in protocol decisions and help align users, liquidity providers, and other stakeholders around the development of Bitcoin-native credit markets.

Zest Protocol’s focus on Bitcoin layer-2 environments makes it part of a broader movement to expand Bitcoin’s utility beyond store-of-value use cases. Its move toward Bitcoin Collateral Vaults on layer 1 is particularly significant because it connects lending activity more directly to native BTC custody and collateral management. For investors and users tracking Bitcoin DeFi, ZEST represents exposure to an application layer built specifically around unlocking credit and liquidity for Bitcoin holders.