For tBTC holders, the bridge’s restart did not yet mean normal access to deposits and redemptions. Threshold Network resumed onchain operations after a nine-day security pause, while an Aave reserve holding about $120 million in tBTC remained restricted.
This account reflects Cointelegraph’s original report, published on November 9, 2026, at 12:03:08 UTC+8.
Bridge recovery depends on node operators returning
Threshold said on Sunday that the bridge’s underlying network was restarting as independent node operators reconnected after applying security patches. These operators collectively authorize Bitcoin movements and process deposits and redemptions.
Requests submitted before the shutdown were expected to be processed as more operators returned. However, the app would not accept new deposits, minting or redemptions until enough nodes were online. Threshold did not announce a date for restoring those functions.
The bridge was initially halted on October 30 while operators addressed a critical Linux kernel vulnerability that could allow remote attackers to execute code on unpatched servers. Threshold said it found no evidence that the flaw had been exploited against tBTC nodes.
What the Aave freeze allows—and blocks
Aave froze its tBTC reserve on Ethereum Core on October 31 to prevent additional exposure while bridge redemptions were unavailable. Under the restriction:
- New tBTC deposits are blocked.
- tBTC cannot add borrowing power.
- Existing users can still withdraw and repay loans.
Aave risk provider LlamaRisk said it would propose restoring the reserve after Threshold’s operations returned to normal. That was a conditional plan, not confirmation that the restrictions had been lifted.
Reported backing and access are separate questions
Threshold reported roughly 4,320 BTC in bridge wallets against about 4,185 tBTC in circulation, with no unauthorized Bitcoin transfers or token minting detected.
Those reported balances are distinct from whether holders can use the bridge or access borrowing functions. At the time of the report, onchain operations were restarting, but new bridge requests and Aave’s tBTC reserve still faced restrictions.