Botanix Failure Suggests Bitcoin DeFi Users Still Prefer Ethereum Over Bitcoin Layer-2s

Botanix’s failure is being cited as a sign that many Bitcoin-focused users continue to favor Ethereum’s decentralized finance ecosystem over Bitcoin layer-2 networks, raising questions about what Bitcoin L2s must change to attract long-term holders. According to Cointelegraph, the episode suggests that, despite ongoing efforts to expand Bitcoin-based DeFi, Bitcoiners may still be choosing Ethereum DeFi rather than migrating to Bitcoin L2 alternatives. The report frames the situation as a challenge for Bitcoin L2 developers and communities: how to adjust their approach so that “hodlers” see enough value, trust, and usability to participate. It highlights the broader implication that a single project’s failure can reinforce skepticism toward Bitcoin L2s and slow adoption, especially when Ethereum DeFi remains the more established option for users seeking DeFi activity. Cointelegraph’s coverage centers on the question of what changes Bitcoin L2s could make to win over Bitcoin holders, positioning Botanix’s failure as a prompt for reassessing product design, user expectations, and the competitive gap between Bitcoin L2 ecosystems and Ethereum’s DeFi landscape.