# Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) — machine-readable summary

> FORTUNA SIGNAL · FORA-01 evidence dossier · Researched 2026-09-15 · https://ron-delhaye-studios.github.io/fortuna-signal-live/tokens/wbtc.html

## Definition
Wrapped Bitcoin is an Ethereum token backed 1 to 1 by Bitcoin held in custody, created to let Bitcoin holders participate in DeFi applications. It launched in January 2019 as a joint effort by BitGo, Kyber Network and Ren.

## What the holder owns (FORA-01 Q1)
Official WBTC site states every WBTC is backed 1 to 1 by Bitcoin held in secure custody, fully verifiable through the on-chain proof of reserves. WBTC is an ERC-20 token functioning as a claim on custodied BTC, originally launched by BitGo, Kyber Network and Ren.

## Verification verdict
Class B (Class B) — FORA-01 scale: verification, not a quality ranking.
q1 VERIFIED · q2 VERIFIED · q3 VERIFIED · q4 VERIFIED · q5 PARTIALLY VERIFIED

## Plain-language utility
Bitcoin made usable on Ethereum — a 1:1 claim on BTC held in custody.

## Key risks & notes
Custody is centralized through a single joint venture between BitGo and BiT Global in which BitGo is a minority shareholder, and press reporting ties the venture to Justin Sun, which triggered collateral governance concerns in 2024. As with any wrapped asset, holders rely on the custodian and merchant layer rather than holding Bitcoin directly.

## Primary source
- (no whitepaper found — drawn from official project documentation)

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Machine summary generated at build time from the same fields as the human page. Free educational content — not investment advice.