#United States #New York #Bitcoin #Ethereum #Mezo

Mezo Opens Pre-Deposit Vaults for Bitcoin Liquidity Migration

In a remarkable move aimed at restoring Bitcoin's native network liquidity, Mezo, a financial protocol built on Bitcoin, has initiated its 'Bring Bitcoin Home' initiative. This innovative program seeks to channel billions of wrapped Bitcoin that are currently residing on Ethereum back to the Bitcoin network.

Understanding the Initiative

On January 12, 2026, Mezo disclosed that it will allocate up to 2.5% of its total MEZO token supply as rewards for early depositors using their newly launched pre-deposit vaults. This initiative specifically targets more than $11 billion worth of wrapped Bitcoin currently associated with Ethereum’s DeFi platforms.

Users can start depositing assets such as tBTC, cbBTC, WBTC, or USDT into Ethereum-based vaults immediately. Subsequently, by the end of January, these assets will seamlessly migrate to Mezo's Bitcoin-native infrastructure, which encompasses features like fixed-rate borrowing, a fully Bitcoin-backed stablecoin, and yield generated from actual on-chain activity.

CEO Insights

Reflecting on this significant development, Matt Luongo, CEO of Thesis—the venture studio behind Mezo—remarked, "Sixteen years ago today, Hal Finney ran the second Bitcoin node and began articulating a vision of Bitcoin-backed banks—an entire financial system built on hard money." He further elaborated that Mezo is designed as a Bitcoin-first system supporting various financial tasks, such as borrowing and saving, directly against Bitcoin, eliminating the reliance on custodians and wrappers.

Protocol Features

Mezo boasts a range of unique offerings that include:

• - Fixed-rate Bitcoin-backed loans on the mainnet
• - A fully Bitcoin-backed stablecoin, called MUSD
• - Transaction fees denominated in BTC
• - Yield driven by real Bitcoin activities
• - Incentive mechanics specifically for on-chain participation
• - Direct fiat on-ramps for MUSD
• - Total independence from wrapped token custodians or variable-rate markets

These offerings are aligned with early Bitcoin design principles, notably those proposed by Hal Finney, emphasizing a robust banking system secured by Bitcoin and recognizable digital currencies.

Reward Structure and Key Dates

To encourage users to participate, Mezo has structured a reward system for early depositors, which includes:

• - Earned MEZO rewards starting at an incentive APR of 5% (with an estimated total APR of approximately 7%, combining both base yield and incentives).
• - January 12 - Vaults open for first deposits, offering a compelling APR opportunity.
• - January 26 - Vaults will be locked for contributions as migration to Mezo’s systems begins.
• - March 23 - Vaults will re-open on Mezo, enabling depositors to receive their MEZO tokens.

For more intricate details about the MEZO token and the associated earning mechanics, participants are encouraged to explore the comprehensive Mezo Earn whitepaper available through their official channel.

About Mezo

Mezo represents the on-chain experience of banking with Bitcoin, empowering users and eliminating traditional banking constraints such as loan officers and credit checks. The institution focuses on providing decentralized financial products such as borrowing, lending, and saving through its Bitcoin-backed stablecoin, MUSD. By employing a self-custodial approach, Mezo serves Bitcoin holders with solutions that meet their specific banking needs.

For further insights, industry professionals and interested users can visit Mezo's homepage at mezo.org.

About Thesis

Thesis, founded in 2014, is a pioneering venture studio that actively builds upon Bitcoin framework. It aims to empower individuals and communities through innovative and market-leading solutions that include Mezo and other notable products such as Fold, tBTC, Acre, and Taho. Thesis remains committed to challenging traditional financial systems to create a sovereign digital future. For more information on their initiatives, exploration of products can be made at thesis.co.