What is Core? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Core at a glance.

Core is an EVM-compatible Layer 1 that ties its security to Bitcoin through a consensus called Satoshi Plus. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

$6.1M

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Core. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

CORE

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live CORE price.

How it works

How Core works.

Satoshi Plus elects validators using three inputs: Bitcoin miners who delegate their hash power, holders who stake CORE, and holders who stake Bitcoin. Bitcoin miners contribute the proof-of-work side while CORE and Bitcoin staking contribute the proof-of-stake side. Elected validators take turns producing blocks roughly every three seconds.

Consensus: Satoshi Plus (DPoW and DPoS)

Satoshi Plus elects validators using three inputs: Bitcoin miners who delegate their hash power, holders who stake CORE, and holders who stake Bitcoin. Bitcoin miners contribute the proof-of-work side while CORE and Bitcoin staking contribute the proof-of-stake side. Elected validators take turns producing blocks roughly every three seconds.

Satoshi Plus consensus

Validators are chosen from delegated Bitcoin hash power, staked CORE, and staked Bitcoin, blending proof of work with proof of stake.

EVM compatibility

Core runs Ethereum-style smart contracts and tooling, so applications built for the EVM can deploy on it.

Bitcoin staking

Holders can timelock Bitcoin to help secure Core and earn CORE rewards while keeping custody of their Bitcoin.

Fixed CORE supply

CORE has a maximum supply of 2.1 billion tokens, a number set to echo Bitcoin's 21 million cap.

Ecosystem & usage

What Core is used for.

CORE pays transaction fees, can be staked, and is used in governance, supporting a set of EVM applications that aim to put Bitcoin to work in decentralized finance.

DefiLlama

Bitcoin staking

Timelock Bitcoin to help secure the network and earn CORE rewards without giving up custody.

Transaction fees

CORE pays the gas that runs transactions and smart contracts on the network.

EVM applications

Developers deploy Ethereum-style contracts to build decentralized finance and other applications on Core.

Top protocols by TVL · updated Jun 8, 2026

b14g · Restaking$4.3M

Colend Protocol · Lending$926,230

SatoshiCoreSwap · Dexs$348,782

Core Earn · Liquid Staking$214,252

Molten V3 · Dexs$163,780

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend CORE.

Core is integrated in Zypto App. Hold CORE in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold CORE in Zypto How to buy CORE

Be the reason Core ships next.

Core isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Satoshi Plus consensus?

It is Core's consensus that elects validators from delegated Bitcoin hash power, staked CORE, and staked Bitcoin, combining proof of work with proof of stake.

How is Core connected to Bitcoin?

Bitcoin miners can delegate hash power to Core, and holders can stake Bitcoin to help secure it, which ties Core's security to the Bitcoin network.

Is Core compatible with Ethereum tooling?

Yes. Core is EVM-compatible, so it runs Ethereum-style smart contracts and the tools developers already use.

What is the maximum supply of CORE?

CORE has a maximum supply of 2.1 billion tokens.

Can I hold CORE in Zypto App?

Not yet. CORE isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Core using the "Request Core" button above.

Explore more chains