What is XLink?

XLink is a Bitcoin bridge that allows a trust minized swap between EVM chains to the Bitcoin network.

Unlike other bitcoin bridge solutions out there, XLink is the only first on-chain bridge between EVM chains to the Bitcoin network without any dependency on external off-chain third parties to facilitate the bridging process.

XLink Bitcoin Bridge Current Supported Network 

Here are the list of network currently supported by XLink:

• Bitcoin
• Stacks
• Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
• Ethereum

How to Use XLink?

#1: Buy STX with ETH (EVM-compatible tokens)

If you have any EVM tokens, you can buy STX without going through CEX with XLink. Regardless if you are using BSC or ETH network, the user experience is similar.

1. Go to XLink website and launch the XLink app, then connect your Stacks wallet and Metamask wallet. 
2. Head to 'EVM Bridge' and select either 'Ethereum' or 'BSC' network. (Choose the network where your USDT or wrapped Bitcoin is)
3. Select which EVM token you will bridge to Stacks. You can wrap $USDT on ETH and BNB chain into $sUSDT on STX. You can also wrap $WBTC on ETH and $BTCB on BNB into $ aBTC. Check the rate of you will receive. (0.5% Fee applied)
4. Select bridge to transfer assets.
5. After bridging is complete, you will see sUSDT or aBTC in your Stacks wallet. Go to the ALEX app swap page, connect your Stacks wallet, and swap sUSDT or aBTC into STX.

#2: Buy STX with BTC from Bitcoin Network

1. Head to the 'Bitcoin Bridge' tab.
2. Connect your Stacks wallet and Bitcoin wallet.
3. Bitcoin can be transferred into Stacks as $STX, $aBTC (more information on aBTC can be found here) or select a different Stacks token to swap into.

#3: Buy BRC-20 Tokens with ETH (EVM-compatible tokens) 

If you have any EVM tokens, you can buy BRC20 without going through CEX with XLink. Regardless if you are using BSC or ETH network, the user experience is similar.

1. Fund your wallet with STX first, see 'Buy STX with ETH (EVM-compatible tokens)' section above.
2. Head to ALEX B20 Orderbook here. 
3. To learn how to buy BRC20 with Stacks, read this article. You'll be able to place market and limit orders for the listed BRC20 tokens. 
4. There is also a smaller but growing selection of BRC20 token on the AMM swap.
   
   

#4: Move BRC-20 Tokens from STX network to Bitcoin Network

Once you have your BRC20 tokens and want to move them back to your Bitcoin wallet:

1. Head to the 'BRC20 Bridge' tab.
2. Connect your Stacks wallet and Bitcoin wallet.
3. Form "Stacks Chain" to "Bitcoin" (can also select to bridge from Bitcoin to Stacks)
4. Select the BRC20 token you want to bridge.
   

How to Connect Your Wallet to XLink?

1. Click 'Wallet Manager' or 'Connect Wallet'.
2. To enjoy the maximum experience, you need to connect three different types of wallet. (Stacks Chain, Bitcoin Chain and EVM Chain)
3. We will use Leather for this example, click 'Leather'. (Different wallet may have different user experience, but generally, they are very similar.)
4. Pick your Account in Leather. 
5. Repeat this for the Bitcoin Chain connection. It will connect the Account that you have connected for Stacks Chain. 
6. Repeat this for Metamask as well. Be sure that you are using either Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain as your selected Network.

Supported Wallet for XLink:

#1: Leather

Leather is a self-custodial Bitcoin wallet designed for ease of use and accessibility. It supports managing Bitcoin, Stacks, and various tokens and collectibles secured by Bitcoin. The wallet emphasizes security, being non-custodial, open-source, and audited by security professionals. It offers compatibility with hardware wallets like Ledger for additional security.

Leather is available as a browser extension and desktop app, facilitating a wide range of functions including token trading, asset management, and connecting to Web3 apps.

Website: https://leather.io

#2: Xverse

Xverse is a versatile Bitcoin wallet designed for Web3 applications. It supports Bitcoin, Stacks, and various tokens and collectibles secured by Bitcoin. Xverse integrates with hardware wallets like Ledger for enhanced security.

It offers a range of features, including storing, sending, and receiving digital collectibles, trading tokens, and connecting to decentralized applications secured by Bitcoin. The wallet is available for iOS, Android, and Chrome, catering to different user preferences. 

Website: https://www.xverse.app

#3: OKX

OKX Wallet is a Web3 wallet designed to simplify access to the crypto world. It supports multiple blockchains and offers a range of functionalities including the ability to trade, stake, and manage various cryptocurrencies and NFTs.

The wallet emphasizes security and user-friendliness, providing tools for both new and experienced users in the cryptocurrency space. OKX Wallet integrates seamlessly with decentralized applications (DApps), allowing users to engage in the wider Web3 ecosystem easily.

Website: https://www.okx.com/web3

#4: Asigna

Asigna is a multisig wallet specifically designed for Bitcoin and Stacks, offering robust security features. It enables the secure management of assets like Bitcoin, Ordinals, BRC20 tokens, and Stacks.

As a non-custodial, multisig wallet, Asigna allows users to maintain full control of their assets while offering functionalities such as batch transactions and integration with desktop, mobile, and hardware wallets. It's geared towards both individual and DAO treasury management, emphasizing a user-friendly interface for interacting with decentralized applications and managing digital assets securely.

Website: https://asigna.io

#5: Unisat

UniSat Wallet, available as a Chrome extension, is tailored for the Bitcoin ecosystem. It functions similarly to MetaMask, facilitating the storage, creation, and transfer of BRC-20 tokens. Users can also engage in buying and selling Bitcoin, NFTs, and domain names among other features.

This wallet provides a comprehensive platform for users to interact with and manage their Bitcoin-related digital assets conveniently within their web browser. 

Website: https://unisat.io

#6: Bitget

Bitget Wallet is a Web3 trading wallet, offering a multi-chain ecosystem for global crypto users. It features intelligent DEX aggregation, providing instant token exchanges, accurate market information, and flexible trading options, including limit orders and contract trading with up to 125x leverage.

The wallet also includes a robust NFT Marketplace and supports over 20,000 DApps across various blockchains. Security is a priority, with a $300 million protection fund and advanced security technology. Bitget Wallet is designed for a seamless and secure trading experience in the crypto universe.

Website: https://web3.bitget.com/en

#7: Metamask

MetaMask is a leading EVM-chain, self-custodial wallet widely used for interacting with blockchain applications and Web3. It offers functionalities as both a browser extension and a mobile app.

MetaMask emphasizes user control and data privacy, generating passwords and keys on the device, ensuring that only the user has access to their accounts and data. It's trusted by millions globally for its simplicity and security in accessing the decentralized web.

Website: https://metamask.io

What is aBTC? 

aBTC, also known as ALEX BTC, is a digital token that is closely connected to the Bitcoin network.

It's similar to WETH, which is related to Ethereum. aBTC is created on the Stacks platform and is designed to have the same value as Bitcoin (1 aBTC = 1 BTC). This relationship is maintained through two main components:

• When you give Bitcoin to the Bitcoin Bridge, it is kept in a secure wallet, and in return, you get an equal amount of aBTC. This process is called "minting."
• If you want to turn your aBTC back into Bitcoin, the Bridge "burns" the aBTC (takes it out of circulation) and gives you back Bitcoin from the secure wallet.

More details available in our Medium article on aBTC.

What is sUSDT?

Similar to aBTC, sUSDT is a wrapped version of Ethereum / BSC USDT. 

If you send USDT tokens from Ethereum to a Stacks wallet, that wallet will receive a token that has been “wrapped” by the bridge — converted to a token based on the target blockchain, in this case from USDT to sUSDT—1 USDT = 1 sUSDT.

This relationship is maintained through the similar two main components as shown earlier:

• When you give USDT to XLink, it is kept in a secure wallet, and in return, you get an equal amount of sUSDT. This process is called "minting."
• If you want to turn your sUSDT back into USDT, the Bridge "burns" the sUSDT (takes it out of circulation) and gives you back USDT from the secure wallet.