> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/mezo-org/documentation/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get Started with Mezo

> Your complete guide to self-service Bitcoin banking. Learn how to deposit assets, borrow against your Bitcoin, and access the Bitcoin economy.

Welcome to Mezo, the onchain Bitcoin banking platform owned by its users. Access self-service Bitcoin finance without loan officers, credit checks, or operational hours. Just you, your Bitcoin, and permissionless access to financial services 24/7.

## Quick Start

Get up and running with Mezo in minutes:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Create an Account" icon="user-plus" href="/getting-started/creating-an-account">
    Set up your Mezo account and connect your wallet to get started
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect Your Wallet" icon="wallet" href="/getting-started/connect-wallet">
    Connect your existing wallet to the Mezo network using Chainlist or manual setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deposit Assets" icon="arrow-down-to-line" href="/getting-started/deposit-assets">
    Bridge your Bitcoin or supported ERC-20 tokens to start using Mezo
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What You Can Do on Mezo

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Borrow Against Bitcoin" icon="coins">
    Access fixed-rate loans starting at 1% by depositing Bitcoin as collateral. Mint MUSD stablecoin and keep your Bitcoin.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Earn Yield" icon="chart-line">
    Deposit BTC or MUSD into automated yield vaults. Generate returns through lending and DeFi strategies.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trade & Swap" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left">
    Swap between BTC, MUSD, and other assets directly on Mezo with deep liquidity and competitive rates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spend MUSD" icon="credit-card">
    Use MUSD on Mezo Market for real goods, gift cards, and subscriptions without selling your Bitcoin.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Why Mezo?

Mezo eliminates middlemen between you and your wealth:

* **Fixed Rates**: Borrow at rates starting from 1% that stay fixed for the entire life of the loan
* **Complete Autonomy**: No minimum payments, no set schedules, no early repayment penalties
* **Self-Service**: Manage everything yourself, 24/7, without permission
* **BTC as Gas**: All transactions paid in Bitcoin, keeping the experience pure Bitcoin
* **Verifiable Reserves**: Built on tBTC with 24k+ BTC bridged since 2020, reserves verifiable anytime

<Info>
  **New to Bitcoin banking?** Learn more about [why Bitcoin needs banking](/introduction/why-bitcoin-needs-banking) and how [Mezo's self-service banking](/introduction/mezo-self-service-banking) works.
</Info>

## Before You Begin

To use Mezo, you'll need:

1. A compatible wallet (MetaMask, Brave Wallet, TrustWallet, or a supported BTC wallet)
2. Bitcoin or supported ERC-20 tokens to deposit
3. Some BTC or tBTC for gas fees on the Mezo network

<Warning>
  All transactions on Mezo Mainnet are paid using native BTC. Before using the network, fund your account with BTC or tBTC to ensure you have gas to pay for transactions.
</Warning>

## Ready to Start?

Follow our step-by-step guides to begin using Mezo:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Your Account">
    [Set up your Mezo account](/getting-started/creating-an-account) in the Mezo App
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Your Wallet">
    [Add Mezo to your wallet](/getting-started/connect-wallet) using Chainlist or manual configuration
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deposit Assets">
    [Bridge your Bitcoin](/getting-started/deposit-assets) to start earning, borrowing, and trading
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Join the Bitcoin Economy

Mezo creates a parallel financial system where you never have to sell your Bitcoin, never have to ask permission, and never have to trust anyone but yourself.

* Start borrowing: [mezo.org/borrow](https://mezo.org/borrow)
* Join the community: [discord.mezo.org](https://discord.mezo.org)
* Follow development: [@MezoNetwork](https://x.com/MezoNetwork)

***

*"Actually there is a very good reason for Bitcoin-backed banks to exist, issuing their own digital cash currency, redeemable for bitcoins." — [Hal Finney, 2010](https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2500.msg34211#msg34211)*