Overview
Across is an innovative cross-chain bridge protocol designed to facilitate rapid, low-cost transfers of value between different blockchain networks. Utilizing an intents-based architecture, Across stands out for its ability to offer the fastest and most economical cross-chain transactions without compromising security. This approach shifts execution risk from users to relayers, ensuring a more secure and efficient bridging process.
Architecture and Functionality
Intents-Based Design
At the core of Across’s functionality is the concept of cross-chain intents. These intents act as limit orders combined with specific actions to be executed upon fulfillment. The system comprises three key components:
- Request for Quote (RFQ) Mechanism: Users submit their cross-chain intents through this mechanism, specifying the desired transfer and associated actions.
- Relayer Network: Competitive relayers fulfill these intents using their own capital, ensuring the best possible execution for users.
- Settlement Layer: This layer verifies the fulfillment of intents and manages repayments to relayers. Utilizing UMA’s Optimistic Oracle, the system ensures accuracy and security in the verification process.
Gas Optimization
One of the standout features of Across is its focus on gas optimization. By aggregating and verifying intents off-chain, Across significantly reduces gas costs, making it a highly economical choice for cross-chain transfers. This aggregated verification process occurs over a 1-2 hour period, spreading the cost over thousands of transactions and ensuring minimal gas fees per transaction.
Products and Integrations
Across Bridge
The Across Bridge is the protocol’s flagship product, providing end-users with the fastest and lowest-cost method to move value across chains. This product is integrated into various applications through a simple REST API, allowing developers to embed cross-chain transfers seamlessly within their dApps.
Across+
Across+ enhances the protocol by bundling bridge actions with other protocol operations, promoting seamless user onboarding and interaction. This tool abstracts the bridging process, enabling users to engage with dApps without needing to understand the underlying cross-chain mechanics.
Across Settlement
The Across Settlement layer is a modular settlement solution that supports cross-chain intents. Its design allows for the flexible and efficient settlement of intents across various chains, reducing overhead for relayers and ultimately lowering costs for end-users.
Security and Performance
Security Measures
Across’s architecture is built with a strong focus on security. By transferring execution risk to relayers and employing UMA’s Optimistic Oracle for verification, the protocol ensures that users are protected from common risks associated with cross-chain transfers. Relayers are compensated only after successful and verified fulfillment of intents, further bolstering security.
Performance Metrics
Across is empirically proven to be the fastest and most cost-effective cross-chain bridge. With an average fill time of under one minute and costs as low as one dollar per ETH bridged, Across sets a high standard for performance in the interoperability space.
Supported Chains
Across supports a wide range of blockchain networks, including but not limited to:
- Ethereum Mainnet
- Polygon
- Arbitrum
- Optimism
- zkSync Era
- Base
- Linea
- Mode
- Blast
- Scroll
- Lisk
This extensive support ensures that users can transfer value across most major chains with ease and efficiency.
Community and Ecosystem
Across is backed by a vibrant community and trusted by top-tier applications. The protocol’s integration into various DeFi platforms and dApps highlights its versatility and reliability. Community members are encouraged to participate in governance and provide liquidity, further strengthening the protocol’s ecosystem.
