Cross-chain Bridge

What is cross-chain bridge?

A blockchain bridge, otherwise known as a cross-chain bridge, connects two blockchains and allows users to send cryptocurrency from one chain to the other. Basically, if you have bitcoin but want to spend it like Ethereum, you can do that through the bridge.

One of the biggest problems of blockchain was the inability to work together. While fluid and somewhat efficient as single entities, each blockchain is limited by the walls of its own domain. Most often this can lead to high transaction costs and congestion.

Blockchain bridges solve this problem by enabling token transfers, smart contracts and data exchange, and other feedback and instructions between two independent platforms.

These blockchains mint different coins and operate on different sets of rules; the bridge serves as a neutral zone so users can smoothly switch between one and the other. Having access to multiple blockchains through the same network greatly enhances the crypto experience for most of us.

This concept is a lot similar to Layer 2 solutions even though the two systems have different purposes. Layer 2 is built on top of an existing blockchain so while it does improve speed, the lack of interoperability remains. Cross-chain bridges are also independent entities that don’t belong to any blockchain.