Bitcoin Updates: Programmable Bitcoin Enters DeFi with Hemi and Aster Connecting Ecosystems

Hemi and

are expanding Bitcoin’s role in decentralized finance (DeFi) through a new alliance, which features a $400,000 trading competition to boost liquidity for the $HEMI token, as detailed in . Announced in October 2025, this initiative is designed to strengthen cross-chain integration by making $HEMI available for trading on Aster’s decentralized exchange (DEX). The platform supports assets across Chain, , , and , according to . This partnership represents a significant move toward integrating programmable Bitcoin—which enables holders to participate in DeFi without sacrificing Bitcoin’s security—into a wider decentralized finance ecosystem, as noted in the blog post.

The $HEMI token is central to Hemi’s “supernetwork,” a platform built to connect the

and Ethereum networks, while ensuring trust-minimized settlements on Bitcoin, according to the Hemi blog. By listing $HEMI on Aster, the collaboration opens up both spot and perpetual trading options for users, including the HEMI/USDT pair, which launched on October 22, as reported by FFNews. Participants in the trading contest can earn incentives in both spot and perpetual markets, highlighting Aster’s commitment to robust liquidity and high performance, the Hemi blog post states.

Aster’s CEO underscored the importance of the listing, describing it as a “strategic, cross-protocol initiative” aimed at advancing the next wave of DeFi infrastructure, according to FFNews. The exchange, which now offers just 20 spot-traded assets, sees this partnership as a move to broaden institutional access to Bitcoin-based yield opportunities, FFNews added. Meanwhile, Hemi co-founder Jeff Garzik said the alliance increases the token’s exposure among a “growing investor community” and leverages joint support from YZi Labs to foster broader participation in Bitcoin-powered DeFi, FFNews reported.

The project also highlights Hemi’s EVM-compatible environment, which enables Bitcoin holders to lend, stake, or earn returns on their BTC without custodial risks, as outlined in the Hemi blog. This approach aligns with Aster’s goal of streamlining cross-chain trading by pooling liquidity from various networks into a single interface, the Hemi blog post continues. The partnership reflects a wider movement in DeFi to extend Bitcoin’s use beyond its traditional role as a store of value, a

driven by progress in layer-2 technologies and token-linked networks, according to the Hemi blog.

For investors, this collaboration points to increasing institutional interest in Bitcoin’s programmable features. Aster’s emphasis on financial discipline and strategic growth—similar to Sify’s recent focus on AI-powered digital infrastructure in India—signals a shift in the industry toward scalable, future-oriented platforms, FFNews observed. Nonetheless, challenges such as regulatory oversight and execution risks remain, as seen in other sectors of technology and finance, FFNews cautioned.