Rootstock in the press
How Rootstock has been covered by the crypto and financial media, from its first appearances to now. 71 articles — reporting and analysis only, with press releases and sponsored posts deliberately left out.
Links last checked collected 8 Nov 2026 · how
Articles
71
Outlets
11
Spanning
2015–2026
Links verified
65
6 refused this server, 0 dead · rechecked weekly
What is in this list
Journalism about Rootstock: pieces written by an outlet with an editorial process, whose purpose is to inform a reader rather than to promote the project. Nothing is listed on the strength of a search result: every headline and date below is taken from the article page itself.
Press releases and sponsored posts are excluded. A great deal of what surfaces when searching for a blockchain project is wire-service syndication or paid placement wearing a news outlet's styling. Where something is likely to be mistaken for coverage, it is named at the bottom of this page with the reason.
About the badges
Some publishers — CoinDesk, Bloomberg, Reuters, Forbes and Medium among them — will not serve the machine that checks these links. Those are marked unverifiable, which means this site could not check them, not that anything is wrong with them; they should open normally for you.
The reason for a refusal cannot be determined from a single vantage point, so none is attributed: the checker runs from an EU datacentre, where geofencing, datacentre blocking and bot filtering all look identical. Where this site looks from explains what that does and does not let it conclude.
Links genuinely failing to load are marked not loading and kept rather than deleted: a citation that has rotted is still a record of what was published.
| Outlet | Articles |
|---|---|
| Cointelegraph | 18 |
| Bitcoin Magazine | 9 |
| crypto.news | 9 |
| CoinDesk | 8 |
| Crypto Briefing | 7 |
| Bitcoin.com News | 4 |
| Coinspeaker | 4 |
| Decrypt | 4 |
| The Block | 3 |
| The Defiant | 3 |
| Protos | 2 |
2026
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Stacks leads Bitcoin layers in Q3 DeFi TVL at $88.9 million
Stacks closed Q3 2026 ahead of Rootstock and Mezo on Bitcoin-layer DeFi TVL.
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Bitcoin time-delay locks could prevent bridge bugs from causing total losses: RootstockLabs co-founder
Lerner argues Bitcoin-enforced time-delay locks would give bridge operators a window to halt malicious withdrawals.
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Bitcoin layer-2s confront harsh reality as Botanix shuts down Spiderchain after just one year
Botanix closes its Spiderchain layer-2 citing weak demand, with Rootstock cited as a surviving comparison.
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Rootstock exec highlights concentrated demand in Bitcoin DeFi
Rootstock TVL around $235-267M while securing roughly 84% of Bitcoin's hashrate, per a company executive.
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Bitcoin DeFi demand concentrated in small-but-deep pockets, Rootstock exec says unverifiable
Shrinking liquidity has pushed Bitcoin DeFi toward treasury firms, miners and long-term holders.
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DMND And RootstockLabs Partner To Bring Stratum V2 To Merge-mining
Stratum V2 support would let pool miners build their own sidechain block templates and claim rBTC directly.
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Atlas Goes Live on Rootstock With Support for BTC, ETH, USDC, and More
Rootstock launches Atlas, a unified bridging interface for moving assets in and out.
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Animoca, RootstockLabs partner to bring Bitcoin DeFi to Japanese institutions
Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs target Japanese corporate treasuries with Bitcoin-native DeFi.
2025
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Rootstock plans unlock $260b in idle institutional Bitcoin
RootstockLabs launches an institutional arm aimed at moving idle corporate BTC into yield products.
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Avalon Labs Launches on Bitcoin Layer 2 Rootstock unverifiable
Avalon Labs deploys its lending infrastructure on Rootstock.
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Cross-chain version of Tether stablecoin integrates with Bitcoin Layer 2 Rootstock unverifiable
USDT0, the omnichain version of Tether's USDT, goes live on Rootstock.
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Bitcoin 2025 builders predict DeFi will unseat traditional finance
Conference reporting on Bitcoin-native DeFi builders, including voices from the Rootstock ecosystem.
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Bitcoin DeFi sees surge in mining participation despite drop in TVL
Messari data puts Rootstock merged-mining participation at 81% in Q1 2025 as DeFi TVL fell.
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Foundry Boosts Bitcoin Layer-2 Rootstock with Powerful Security Upgrade
Foundry's participation in Rootstock merge-mining reported as a security gain for the sidechain.
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Breaking down Bitcoin bridges: Insights from RootstockLabs
Explainer and interview with Lerner on the limits of Bitcoin bridging and the BitVMX approach.
2024
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There are hundreds of Bitcoin 'layer 2s'
Sceptical survey of the Bitcoin layer-2 label, noting Rootstock and Liquid are federated.
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OpenOcean launches DEX aggregator on Bitcoin L2 Rootstock
DEX aggregator OpenOcean expands to Rootstock.
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Unlocking Bitcoin's Potential: How Rootstock Uses EVM For Scalability unverifiable
Podcast interview with RootstockLabs' CEO on the EVM sidechain design.
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Money20/20: Rootstock Bitcoin L2 eyes further Latin American expansion
Conference interview on emerging-market DeFi access.
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Bitcoin layer-2 landscape 'set to boom' as BTC keeps outperforming: Bybit
Bybit research on layer-2 growth names Rootstock among the established networks.
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Bitcoin L2s set to explode as Runes congest BTC network
Runes-driven fee congestion boosts demand for Bitcoin layer-2s including Rootstock.
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Bitcoin DeFi App Sovryn Is Expanding to Ethereum—Here's How
Rootstock-based Sovryn extends lending, borrowing and trading to Ethereum.
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Bitcoin L2 tokens surge double digits as BTC notches 25-month high
Rootstock cited as holding just over half of all Bitcoin-sidechain TVL during a rally.
2023
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GFX Labs is Deploying Uniswap V3 to Bitcoin Sidechain Rootstock unverifiable
GFX Labs brings its Oku Uniswap V3 front-end to Rootstock.
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IOVLabs launches $2.5 million grants program to boost Rootstock development
IOV Labs unveils a grants programme for Rootstock builders.
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What are sidechains and could they really make altcoins obsolete?
Explainer on sidechains and drivechains, covering Rootstock's federated model.
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IoV Labs releases RIF Flyover for secure and easy BTC transfer between Rootstock and Bitcoin
The Flyover protocol is released to speed peg-in and peg-out.
2022
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Rootstock Summit to Kick Off on November 10 as Protocol Hinges toward New Brand Identity
Previews the first Rootstock Summit and the move from the RSK brand to Rootstock.
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Multichain adds Rootstock to its blockchain bridge ecosystem
Multichain adds Rootstock as the first Bitcoin-based sidechain on its bridge.
2021
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Fireblocks Adds Support for RSK
Custody provider Fireblocks adds RSK support.
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To Bring Bitcoin to DeFi, Sovryn Kicks Off $500K Hackathon
Rootstock-based Sovryn runs a Gitcoin hackathon for Bitcoin DeFi.
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Interview: Diego Gutiérrez Zaldívar And Building On Bitcoin
Interview with the RSK and IOV Labs CEO on sidechains and Bitcoin-based finance.
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Bitcoin-based DeFi protocol Sovryn raises $2.5 million in a token pre-sale unverifiable
Sovryn raises $2.5M; the article notes it runs on the merge-mined Rootstock sidechain.
2020
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Video: RSK, Federated Sidechains And Powpeg
Van Wirdum Sjorsnado episode on the move from a federated sidechain to the PowPeg.
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RSK launches Powpeg, a trustless Bitcoin bridge architecture
RSK launches the PowPeg, engaging Bitcoin miners so no single party controls pegged funds.
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RSK Is Evolving; Powpeg Leverages Hash Power To Switch From Bitcoin To Sidechain And Back
Technical account of the PowPeg replacing the federated multisig, including the 4,000-block rule.
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RSK Is Changing How It 'Pegs' Bitcoin to Its Sidechain
Independent coverage of the move from the federation to the PowPeg.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
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RSK Merged Mining Reaches All-Time High
Merge-mining participation hits a then-record share of Bitcoin hashpower.
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RSK-based DeFi protocol launches innovative decentralized exchange concept
Money On Chain launches TEX, a non-AMM decentralised exchange on RSK.
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Chainlink lands on Bitcoin sidechain RSK with new integration
Chainlink oracles integrate with RSK, removing the need for custom oracles.
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Blockchain Energy Trading Pilot Using Bitcoin Sidechain Goes Live in LA
A Los Angeles energy-trading pilot launches on the RSK sidechain.
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IOV Labs Takes on Lightning Network With New Light Client
IOV Labs positions a light client against Lightning for Bitcoin payments.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
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Argentina's central bank is tinkering with Bitcoin smart contracts
Argentina's central bank works with IOV Labs on a blockchain payments proof-of-concept on RSK.
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Bitcoin Smart Contract Solution RSK Sees New Stablecoin and Leveraged Token
A decentralised stablecoin and leveraged token launch on RSK.
2019
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Bitcoin startup RSK launches $200,000 grant program for dapp developers
RSK commits grant funding for Bitcoin dapp development.
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RSK Parent Company Acquires Taringa To Tokenize Social Media
IOV Labs acquires the Latin American social network Taringa to tokenise interactions using RSK.
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RSK Imagines 'Decentralized Finance Systems' Coming To Bitcoin
RSK partners with Swarm on decentralised storage settled in RBTC.
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RIF Labs Launches 3rd-Layer Scalability Solution Capable of Processing Up to 5K TPS
RIF Labs launches Lumino, a layer-3 payment network over RSK.
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RIF Launches 'Layer 3' Network to Scale Bitcoin-Based Smart Contracts, Tokens
RIF Labs launches Lumino as a payment layer above Rootstock.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
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RSK Smart Contracts Are Now Available On Microsoft Azure Marketplace
RSK's smart contract service is listed on the Azure Marketplace.
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Rootstock Celebrates A Year Of Milestones
A retrospective on Rootstock's first year of mainnet operation.
2018
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RSK Merges With New RIF Labs, Opens Potential For Increased Interoperability
RIF Labs merges with RSK Labs — the corporate step preceding the IOV Labs rename.
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RSK Bitcoin-Based Smart Contract Platform Now Secured by 1 in 10 Miners
An RSK Labs co-founder reports around 10% of Bitcoin hashpower merge-mining RSK.
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RSK Assessment - Bitcoin Smart Contracts Coming?
An assessment of RSK's scalability and interoperability shortly after mainnet.
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RSK Mines Its Genesis Block – Bitcoin Now Has an Ethereum-Like Smart Contracts Platform
RSK mines its genesis block, launching the mainnet sidechain in limited beta.
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RSK Beta Brings Ethereum-Style Smart Contracts Closer to Bitcoin
Coverage of the mainnet beta, two days before the genesis block was mined.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
2017
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Bitcoin-Based Ethereum Smart Contract and Sidechain Rival RSK Launches Today
RSK Labs announces its mainnet beta after two years of development.
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Bitcoin Startup RSK to Launch Smart Contracts Sidechain in 2017
RSK commits to a mainnet launch before the end of the year.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
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Rootstock CEO Confirms Launch 'By December' After SegWit2x Hard Fork
Rootstock's CEO indicates mainnet will launch in December once SegWit2x plays out.
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Rootstock Etherparty Deal Will 'Accelerate Bitcoin Smart Contract Adoption'
Etherparty and Rootstock partner on cross-compatible smart contract creation.
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RSK Raises $3.5 Million, Launches Bitcoin Smart Contract Testnet
The pre-Series A round, announced alongside the public Ginger testnet.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
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Bitcoin Scalability Issue Takes New Turn As RSK Ready to Release Ginger
A preview of the Ginger public testnet.
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Bitcoin Mining Pool Backs Rootstock Smart Contracts Effort
An early mining pool commits to merge-mining Rootstock, a year before mainnet.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
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Bitcoin Upgrade Lumino Introduces a New Approach to Scalability
Lerner introduces Lumino, claiming 100 TPS without a block-size increase or hard fork.
2016
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RSK Labs Launch Release that Combines Ethereum and Bitcoin in One Network
RSK Labs launches the Turmeric public testnet release.
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The Next Big Thing? RSK Smart Contract Sidechain Launches Developer Release, Integrated In Jaxx Wallet
RSK ships its developer release and gains Jaxx wallet integration.
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Rootstock Developer Praises Privacy-Focused Solution Mimblewimble, Plans to Integrate It
Lerner praises Mimblewimble and says he plans to integrate it into Rootstock.
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Rootstock Raises $1M To Enable Smart Contracts On The Bitcoin Blockchain
Rootstock raises a $1M seed round to bring smart contracts to Bitcoin.
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Rootstock Raises 1M to bring Smart Contracts to Bitcoin Blockchain
RSK Labs secures $1M led by Bitmain, DCG and Coinsilium.
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Rootstock Raises $1 Million to Bring Smart Contracts to Bitcoin
The seed round that funded Rootstock, led by Bitmain, Digital Currency Group and Coinsilium.CoinDesk blocks automated requests, so this is cited through its Internet Archive snapshot. The headline and date above were read from that snapshot.
2015
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Rootstock Combines Bitcoin and Ethereum to Provide Micro Lending for the Unbanked
The earliest coverage found: Rootstock in talks about micro-lending for the unbanked.
What was left out
These came up during the search and were deliberately not listed.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Decrypt — "IOVLabs Launches a $2.5M grants program and the Scaling Bitcoin Hackathon" (17 May 2023) | Filed by Decrypt under its own "press-releases" category, with no author byline. The same announcement is listed above as crypto.news reporting. |
| Crypto Briefing — "Last two weeks of the 'Rootstock World Tour' campaign" (16 September 2024) | Tagged "Press Release" by the outlet and authored by the ChainWire PR wire. |
| AMBCrypto and Bitcoin.com News — "Sovryn Lists on AscendEX" (15 September 2021) | Both carry the exchange's own announcement; the Bitcoin.com version literally opens "PRESS RELEASE". |
| Bloomberg — IOV Labs / Taringa item (30 September 2019) | Published on Bloomberg's paid press-release wire, not by its newsroom. |
| CryptoSlate Rootstock items | Those found sit under the outlet's /press-releases/ path. |
CoinDesk covered Rootstock steadily from the 2016 seed round to the PowPeg switch in 2020, and blocks automated requests, so none of it could be checked directly. Those eight articles are listed through Internet Archive snapshots instead — the link goes to the archive, and the headline and date were read from the archived page rather than from a search result. Other publishers that block in the same way are marked unverifiable; where a snapshot exists, it is preferable to leave a citation out.