Moving between chains.
WHY IT MATTERS
Assets and applications exist on many networks, which do not natively communicate.
WHAT A BRIDGE DOES
Locks an asset on one chain and issues a representation on another.
WHAT THAT REPRESENTATION IS
A claim on the locked asset, not the asset itself.
WHY THAT DISTINCTION MATTERS ENORMOUSLY
If the lock is compromised, the representation becomes worthless.
WHAT BRIDGE DESIGNS EXIST
Custodial, with a party holding the assets Multi-signature, requiring several parties Validator-based, with an independent set Proof-based, verifying the source chain cryptographically
WHAT DETERMINES RISK
How many parties must be compromised to steal the locked funds.
WHAT HISTORY SHOWS
Bridges have been exploited repeatedly, for the largest losses in the sector.
WHY THEY ARE ATTRACTIVE TARGETS
They concentrate value in one place with complex code.
WHAT CROSS-CHAIN MESSAGING PROVIDES
Applications on one chain reacting to events on another.
WHAT IT REQUIRES
A trustworthy source of truth about the other chain.
WHAT TO ASSESS BEFORE BRIDGING ANYTHING
Who controls the locked assets Whether the bridge has been audited Its history Whether the amount justifies the risk
WHAT TO PREFER
Not bridging, where avoidable.
