An Interview With Thesis – BitcoinWorld

In an exclusive interview with BitcoinWorld, We got a chance to interact with Kathy Zhu, Head of APAC, Thesis, In this interview, We discuss how they are expanding Bitcoin Ecosystem in Financial System,  

In simple terms, what is Thesis is all about? Why is it necessary to the current market? 

Thesis is a venture studio that builds and supports Bitcoin projects. We primarily focus on expanding Bitcoin’s role in the financial system and supporting its growth as global money and a store of value.  We want to make Bitcoin more accessible and useful. This can be done through decentralized finance (DeFi) products like tBTC or simple apps that bring Bitcoin to the real world, like Fold. With the increasing demand for Bitcoin-based financial applications, Thesis’ projects address the need for trustless financial services in the market.

Thesis is expanding the BitcoinFi ecosystem with innovative projects like Mezo and Acre. Can you share how these projects are transforming Bitcoin’s role in decentralized finance?

Historically, Bitcoin has been an asset people have simply held on to. While this has proven to be a viable long-term strategy, Bitcoin needs to become more useful to become relevant on a global financial scale. Mezo and Acre help improve Bitcoin’s utility while keeping everything simple and accessible.

BitcoinFi is the concept of making Bitcoin a productive financial asset, and Mezo and Acre are the foundation of BitcoinFi. Mezo is a platform for people to do everything with their Bitcoin, so it can become relevant in our daily lives via payroll, mortgages, savings, and more. Acre is building a BTC-in-BTC-out staking experience, allowing Bitcoin holders to stake their BTC and earn rewards in Bitcoin without relying on centralized intermediaries.

 

The APAC region is known for its rapid adoption of blockchain technologies. How is Thesis positioning itself to accelerate the development of BitcoinFi in this region?

Thesis is actively building relationships with key stakeholders and developers in the APAC region. We have represented the Thesis portfolio at multiple conferences and events in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Korea this year; we are also building and growing our Asian builder community as Mezo drives towards its mainnet launch.

Traditionally seen as a store of value, Bitcoin is now being used in staking and other financial applications. Can you explain how this shift is reshaping the way people interact with Bitcoin?

BitcoinFi is evolving Bitcoin’s role beyond being a store of value. With innovations like staking, yield generation, and decentralized governance, Bitcoin holders can now actively participate in DeFi, using their BTC to earn rewards or contribute to network security.

This shift is already underway as we see growth in many different Bitcoin L2s and staking apps. The bottom line is that Bitcoin holders are eager to maximize the utility of their assets, making Bitcoin more dynamic and integral to decentralized finance.

Your project Acre focuses on BTC-in-BTC-out staking. How does this platform differentiate itself from other staking solutions. What advantages does it bring to Bitcoin holders?

Acre fulfills the growing market demand for yield generation of the Bitcoin holders.  Acre’s BTC-in-BTC-out model allows Bitcoin holders to stake their BTC directly and receive BTC rewards, without centralization or obfuscation. Everything is 100% verifiable on the blockchain, which is paramount to DeFi and will be necessary for the growth of BitcoinFi to maintain this standard. This minimizes risk, preserves Bitcoin’s intrinsic value, and appeals to those who prefer to keep their assets in BTC. By maintaining Bitcoin’s native functionality within DeFi, Acre provides a unique option for Bitcoin holders to engage in staking.

Fold is set to become the first Bitcoin-powered financial services company to go live on Nasdaq. What does this milestone mean for the future of Bitcoin in mainstream financial markets?

Fold’s listing on Nasdaq is a significant step in bringing Bitcoin further into mainstream financial markets. It signals a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s potential beyond just a store of value, as financial services built around Bitcoin begin to integrate with traditional markets.  Fold is the connection between Bitcoin and the traditional financial system, a necessary tool to be easily onboarded into the world of Bitcoin.  This milestone could inspire further institutional adoption and pave the way for more Bitcoin-powered companies to go public.

A diversified Bitcoin ecosystem is crucial for its long-term stability. How is Thesis fostering this ecosystem, and why is diversity within the Bitcoin network important for its future?

Thesis fosters diversity in the Bitcoin ecosystem through a full product stacks that expand Bitcoin’s functionality in DeFi, governance, real-world applications, and beyond. Mezo is Bitcoin’s economic layer that enables BitcoinFi developers to bring their unique applications to a large group of users, and its EVM compatibility makes it easy for existing apps to be ported into Mezo infrastructure.

By enabling new use cases for Bitcoin, Thesis is encouraging a more robust and resilient ecosystem. Having a diverse set of applications and use cases for Bitcoin ensures that it remains adaptable to future technological advancements and market needs, promoting long-term sustainability.

 

As the APAC head, you’re building a vibrant community of developers and builders. What specific initiatives are you leading to grow this community, and how does it contribute to the broader BitcoinFi vision?

In the APAC region, we are leading initiatives such as builder community, hackathons, and incentives programs designed to equip local talent with the skills and resources needed to build on Bitcoin. For example, we announced an accelerator program in partnership with Draper Associates to provide comprehensive support in technical development, funding, go-to-market and mentorship for the finalists.

These initiatives help create a pool of developers who are committed to building innovative BitcoinFi solutions. By growing this community, we’re laying the groundwork for decentralized, Bitcoin-native financial applications to flourish in APAC and beyond.

Looking ahead, what are the key trends you foresee in Bitcoin’s evolution, and how will Thesis continue to shape the future of the BitcoinFi ecosystem in the APAC region and beyond?

We expect Bitcoin to play a central role in DeFi’s long-term growth as more applications are built around staking, yield, and governance. Additionally, the continued investment and development of Bitcoin L2s will improve scalability and usability. Thesis will continue to lead by ensuring that Mezo becomes the go-to BitcoinFi infrastructure, where Bitcoin is useful and productive for holders.