Core’s 2026 roadmap prioritizes revenue, token buybacks and consumer-facing apps
Core Blockchain Overview - December 18, 2025
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The Core blockchain by the numbers
Network’s daily transactions: 55K (-3.89%)
Total unique addresses: 69.23M (+0.18%)
ERC-20 daily tokens transferred: 29.8K (+14.62%)
Total CORE delegated: 240.9M (+0.13%)
Total BTC staked: 3,048 (+1.3%)
These metrics are accurate at the time of publication. The percentage change is over a 14-day period.
Inside the network
🔸What we’re watching: Core is shifting toward sustainable revenue models and consumer-facing Bitcoin yield products in, with a strong emphasis on CORE token buybacks and institutional-grade applications, Core contributor Rich Rines said during the latest Token Relations Quarterly Webinar.
🔸Why it matters: Core’s BTCfi ecosystem is maturing as it focuses on moving towards revenue generation and reducing its reliance on gas fees.
“A big push [for Core] in 2026, as we look beyond being just a yield service provider, is liquid staking tokens and the formation of a neobank,” Rines said. “We’ll [also] be performing CORE buybacks, which is the best way to share those benefits directly with token holders.”
Key initiatives on the network include liquid staking tokens (LSTs) backed by diversified yield strategies, which could enable participation from finance vehicles such as staking-based ETFs. “Some percentage of that yield will move toward backing a liquid staking token, making those participants part of the 2026 Core ecosystem through buybacks,” Rines said.
On the other hand, asset management protocols are positioned as “the next level of bitcoin yield” that combine self-custodial dual-staking with lower-risk strategies to support institutional-grade investments.
“Asset management protocols are managed structures onchain that can do simple or more esoteric actions, similar to how vaults function in DeFi today,” Rines said. “The goal is to enable everything from simple yield strategies to fully managed onchain funds, all operating transparently within the Core ecosystem.”
Core is also launching SAT Pay, a neobank built in partnership with banking infrastructure company Mobilium that lets users borrow stablecoins against BTC, fund a debit card, and spend using that card while earning bitcoin yield. “SAT Pay is [Core’s take on] a bitcoin neobank,” Rich said. “ This can be a daily driver for a lot of people, having the form function of paying your friends, kinda like a Venmo or Cash App, or paying for your day-to-day groceries, all while bringing [assets] home to the Core ecosystem.”
🔸The bigger picture: Core’s 2026 roadmap seeks to align the network with the broader maturation of BTCfi, meeting institutions and retail users where they are. Whether through neobanks, LST-backed products, or enterprise yield solutions, Core is aiming to build a welcoming user experience, rather than pulling users into advanced DeFi systems prematurely.
By prioritizing CORE holder value via buybacks and specialized Bitcoin tools, Core looks to build a resilient flywheel: more yield attracts capital, revenue funds buybacks, and demand strengthens the token.
Ecosystem highlights
NFTMining has integrated the Core network to its NFT platform, and is offering $3,000 in monthly rewards
Signups for SatPay a bitcoin neobank built on the Core blockchain, are now live
Core contributor Rich Rines’ explains how CORE token demand can result in sustained yield, growth in assets under management, and higher fees
Check out the Core blog for more updates.
Delve into the Core community
Colend Protocol TVL increased 46% to $31.3M compared to a month earlier
B14g integrated Keplr’s wallet to its bitcoin restaking platform, letting users can earn yield across the Babylon and Core networks
RWA trading volume on ASX reached $1.3K over 260 transactions in November, and assets maintained between 7.2%-8.5% APR
Join in the fun
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This information is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered financial advice, nor should it be used to make investment decisions. Cryptocurrencies are high risk and you should consult a financial professional before making any financial decisions. Make sure you do your own research.