Core has introduced its Dual Staking feature through the Fusion upgrade, positioning the release as a new way for Bitcoin holders to access on-chain yield without giving up custody of their assets. According to the project, users who stake both BTC and CORE can qualify for higher reward tiers than those available through Bitcoin staking alone, adding a new incentive layer to participation in the Core ecosystem.
Fusion expands Core’s Bitcoin staking model
The launch builds on Core’s earlier rollout of non-custodial Bitcoin staking in April 2024. Core describes that earlier milestone as a step toward making Bitcoin a natively yield-bearing asset, while the Fusion upgrade adds a second dimension by linking Bitcoin staking rewards to participation with the network’s native token, CORE.
Under the updated structure, Bitcoin stakers can still receive a base reward rate, but users who also stake CORE may qualify for an enhanced dual-staker rate. The project frames this as a way to increase the utility of CORE while giving Bitcoin holders a mechanism to improve returns without relying on intermediaries or handing over direct control of their holdings.
Core also tied the feature to its broader positioning as a Bitcoin-powered blockchain with EVM-compatible smart contracts. The network says it is designed to support decentralized applications secured by Bitcoin-linked infrastructure while extending functionality beyond Bitcoin’s traditional role as a store of value.
Scale metrics highlighted by the project
In its announcement, Core pointed to a number of ecosystem metrics to underline traction. The project said it has recorded more than 300 million on-chain transactions, built a community of 2.2 million followers on X, attracted more than 253,000 Discord members, and reached 5 million active wallets.
For staking specifically, Core said that as of October 2024, more than 6,380 BTC had been staked through the system, with a stated value of over $575 million at the time. The Core Foundation also said that nearly 76% of Bitcoin mining hash power was being delegated to Core, which it argues contributes to network security.
These figures were presented by the project itself as evidence that Bitcoin staking and validator participation on Core have gained meaningful momentum. However, as with any press-release-based announcement, investors and users should independently verify ecosystem data before making financial decisions.
How Dual Staking works
Core says eligibility for the higher-yield dual staking tier depends on two main conditions. First, users must stake both Bitcoin and CORE simultaneously, and the amount of CORE staked must meet the minimum threshold required for dual staking. Second, the wallet address used for staking must match the designated CORE rewards address associated with Bitcoin staking, so that reward tracking and payout routing remain aligned.
To complete the process, users are directed to the project’s staking portal, where the same Core address can be used to track both Bitcoin and CORE staking activity. Once connected, users can review transaction history and accrued CORE rewards in the platform’s “My Staking” section, covering rewards generated from both BTC staking and CORE staking.
The platform also provides visibility into how delegated CORE, Bitcoin, and hash are distributed across validators. According to Core, yields differ by validator based on the total amount delegated to each and the weighted composition of those delegations. The project argues that this level of transparency can help users optimize how they spread assets, while also supporting validator health by discouraging excessive concentration in a single operator.
Non-custodial design and risk framing
A central selling point of the new feature is its non-custodial structure. Core says users maintain full control over their Bitcoin, reducing the need for intermediaries and avoiding custodial exposure. The project further claims that participants are not subject to slashing, counterparty risk, or external smart-contract risk in the same way they might be in other staking or yield products.
Another distinction emphasized in the release is flexibility around CORE. While staked Bitcoin is time-locked within the system’s design, staked CORE is described as more liquid from an operational standpoint: users can unstake CORE at any time or choose to stake it independently. That feature may appeal to participants who want access to enhanced BTC-related rewards without fully locking all sides of their strategy for the same duration.
Core also presents dual staking as a way to reward longer-term alignment. In addition to requiring participation with both BTC and CORE, the model offers higher rewards to users who stake for longer periods, suggesting that time commitment remains an important variable in the reward schedule.
Broader implications for Bitcoin yield markets
At a higher level, the Fusion upgrade reflects a broader industry push to make Bitcoin more productive in decentralized finance environments. Rather than limiting BTC to passive holding, projects such as Core are trying to create mechanisms that let holders earn on-chain rewards while preserving the asset’s base security narrative. In Core’s framing, Dual Staking is meant to offer a more sustainable approach by using fixed CORE emissions to incentivize participation and align rewards with long-term ecosystem growth.
The release also underscores a competitive dynamic increasingly visible across blockchain networks: attracting Bitcoin liquidity by offering yield, utility, and composability, while trying to avoid the security and trust tradeoffs associated with centralized yield platforms. Core’s pitch is that Bitcoin holders can participate in this next phase without surrendering custody.
Still, the announcement remains a press release, and that context matters. Claims regarding yield advantages, security posture, ecosystem size, or delegated hash power come from the project and should be evaluated carefully. Users considering BTC or token staking should review technical documentation, validator mechanics, reward formulas, lockup conditions, and any operational risks before committing capital.
For now, Core’s Fusion upgrade marks an important product step for the network. By combining BTC staking with CORE participation, the project is trying to deepen demand for its native token, expand utility for Bitcoin holders, and strengthen validator-level incentives—all while leaning on a non-custodial message that has become increasingly important in crypto markets after years of custodial failures and yield-platform blowups.