Botanix Labs hands over control to validators like Antpool and Fireblocks

• Botanix adopts federated model with 16 independent validators
• Fireblocks, Antpool and Galaxy join as node operators
• Bitcoin Layer 2 Targets Smart Contracts with Spiderchain

Botanix Labs, the developer of the layer-2 solution for Bitcoin known as Botanix, has announced a strategic shift by transferring operational control of the network to a decentralized federation of 16 independent node operators. The new validators include industry heavyweights such as Antpool, Fireblocks, Galaxy, Hashkey Cloud and Kiln.

Decentralized at Day One.

We're excited to announce our Founding Federation of 16 independent node operators, comprised of some of the most respected Bitcoin miners, custodians, validators and strategic partners. @botanixlabs @FireblocksHQ @galaxyhq @Alchemy @xbtogroup ... pic.twitter.com/gFASBt8yjd

— Botanix (@BotanixLabs) June 5, 2025

According to CEO and co-founder Willem Schroé, this transition marks Botanix as the “first and only Bitcoin-based blockchain that is decentralized from the ground up,” ensuring that not even the founding team itself can interfere with user custody or transactions. Schroé stated, “If Botanix disappeared tomorrow, users would still have full access to custody of their Bitcoin. No one, including us, can censor or confiscate funds.”

This initiative comes ahead of the official mainnet launch, scheduled for the end of the quarter. The decision to adopt a federated model brings technical challenges, such as increased operational complexity, but Schroé emphasizes that this is essential to gain the long-term trust of users, especially Bitcoin advocates.

The Botanix protocol stands out for introducing features compatible with Ethereum smart contracts directly into the Bitcoin ecosystem, through the so-called Spiderchain. This architecture uses a network of decentralized multisig wallets with random selection of validators for each block, separating the Bitcoin asset from the blockchain structure.

With over 50 candidates interested in operating nodes, the first 16 were chosen based on criteria of security, decentralization, and reputation in the cryptocurrency infrastructure. The expectation is to expand this pool over the next six months.

Operating a Botanix node requires robust hardware, comparable to that used by high-performance Ethereum validators. Despite the costs, the team argues that the requirements are justifiable to ensure performance and stability in providing advanced functionality within the Bitcoin network.