Leading DEX aggregator 1inch has introduced a new DeFi feature: trustless cross-chain swaps between Solana and over 12 EVM networks, without relying on bridges or third-party messaging protocols.

Available across the 1inch dApp, wallet, and Fusion+ API, users can now move assets directly between Solana and all major EVM networks in a fully decentralized, secure, and seamless way with full MEV protection.

Bridgeless Solana cross-chain swaps

Until now, cross-chain interaction between Solana and EVM networks has typically required bridges or third-party messaging protocols such as Wormhole, Axelar, LayerZero, or Chainlink CCIP. While widely used, these systems have proven to be vulnerable, with bridge hacks one of the most damaging security risks in DeFi.

In February 2022, the Wormhole bridge, which connects Solana and Ethereum, was hacked, resulting in a loss of over $320 million. Attackers exploited a vulnerability in Wormhole’s signature verification process, enabling them to mint $120,000 worth of wrapped ETH on Solana without the required collateral on Ethereum. This drained funds from the protocol and exposed the risks inherent in traditional bridge-based cross-chain solutions.

1inch’s bridgeless Solana cross-chain swaps rewrite this model entirely. When the resolver accepts a price, an escrow is created on the source chain, securely locking the user’s funds. The resolver then creates a matching escrow on the destination chain, locking their own funds. 1inch co-founder Sergej Kunz told CryptoSlate:

“There is no bridge risk, because the funds remain in their respective chain-specific escrows, not in a shared pool, and no one can move them without the user’s secret. After a security check, the user shares this secret with the resolver to authorize withdrawal. If the secret is never shared, both escrows are canceled and funds are returned to their original owners.”

Under the hood: Fusion+ cross-chain

The technical foundation for this feature builds on 1inch Fusion+, the firm’s Dutch Auction settlement model. But as Kunz explained, getting it to work with Solana required rethinking the architecture:

“The biggest technical challenge was adapting our Fusion+ architecture, originally designed for EVM-to-EVM swaps, to work natively with Solana. Instead of relying on third-party messaging protocols or bridges, we combined 1inch’s Dutch Auction model with cryptographically linked, chain-specific escrow contracts and programs. This allows resolvers to settle cross-chain orders atomically and trustlessly, bypassing the traditional two-step bridge model and eliminating shared-pool risks.”

The process works as follows: A user signs a cross-chain swap order on the source chain. A resolver locks matching liquidity on the destination chain while the user’s funds are held in escrow on the source chain.

Only when a cryptographic secret is revealed can both escrows unlock atomically, ensuring no party can run off with funds. As Kunz explained, if the process fails, both escrows are cancelled and funds are returned.

Beyond eliminating bridge risk, Fusion+ cross-chain swaps help reduce fragmentation by allowing assets to stay in their native ecosystem while still being instantly swappable across chains. Kunz pointed out:

“Instead of splitting liquidity into bridge pools, resolvers use their own inventory to fulfill orders on the destination chain. This means Solana and EVM liquidity can serve each other without requiring re-wrapped tokens, creating more efficient markets and deeper effective liquidity across ecosystems.”

For Solana, this addresses one of its biggest historical hurdles: isolation from DeFi innovation and capital flows in EVM chains. Solana-native tokens can now be traded directly against Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and others, without intermediaries, bringing new users, capital, and dApps to Solana while making the network a hub for traders, builders, and liquidity providers.

What’s next for 1inch

While today’s release covers Solana<>EVM swaps, the team has further ambitions. Kunz told CryptoSlate:

“We’re open to integrating more non-EVM networks in the future. At our recent hackathon, teams demoed implementations for Bitcoin, Sui, Aptos, and others. That showed us the strong demand for a broader multichain future where every asset can talk to every other without bridge risk.”

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Base, a layer 2 scaling solution for Crypto Exchange Coinbase, registered with NASDAQ, has moved from the leader in 2024 to the top loser of the year in terms of capital inflows through cross-chain bridges.

Based on data from the Artemis terminal, we saw a net spill of $4.3 billion this year. This is in stark contrast to the net inflow of $3.8 billion in 2024, which was the highest of the top 20 blockchains.

Meanwhile, Ethereum, the world’s largest smart contract blockchain, registered a net inflow of $8.5 billion this year, compared to a net outflow of $7.4 billion the previous year.

Data shows that the momentum behind the base chain has slowed down, and Ethereum has regained its top spot.

Crypto-bridges are protocols that promote communication and interaction between different blockchains, improving interoperability. Therefore, bridging refers to the act of moving tokens between different networks.

Cumulative supply of stubcoin at the base has exceeded $4 billion since mid-May, along with mid-May, as shown by the chart below.

Base bleeding ETH

According to data source l2beat, the total number of ethers

The base was deposited from 1.82 million ETH to just over 835,000 ETH in four weeks.

This trend is in line with other Layer 2 solutions that have seen significant ETH spills in recent weeks, according to Michael Nadeau of Defi Report on X.

According to Coinbase protocol specialist Viktor Bunin, the outflow could be due to measurements to withdraw capital to Layer 1.

“The majority just retreat to L1. They kept a profane amount of L2. It’s unclear whether they’re getting the incentive to hold it there or not balanced across the chain that was supported,” Bunin said in X.

Blockchain technology initiated a revolution that has grown to a stage where it has become a core element of Web3. As the blockchain and crypto space grows bigger, it becomes more fragmented, thereby creating significant challenges for users. Different blockchain networks operate as isolated ecosystems with their unique strengths and communities. Blockchain bridges offer a promising solution to address the interoperability challenge, enhance liquidity, and provide a better user experience.

This multichain bridges guide aims to introduce you to one of the versatile options among blockchain bridges. Let us learn about the significance of blockchain bridges and how multichain bridges have been challenging traditional benchmarks.

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Decoding the Importance of Blockchain Bridges

Interoperability might not appear like a big problem for the blockchain and crypto ecosystem when you see big players performing well. The lack of interoperability creates a massive barrier to accessibility as users on one blockchain could not interact with another network. In the long run, this problem may lead to reduced adoption rates and threats to growth of blockchain technology. 

The arrival of multichain bridges in crypto has been possible due to the efforts of some pioneers who recognized the interoperability problem. Crypto bridges helped in overcoming the isolated nature of blockchain networks and opened new avenues for collaboration. The utility of blockchain bridges ensures easier access to decentralized applications in different networks and seamless cross-chain transactions.

Bridges also reduce barriers to entry for interacting with multiple blockchain networks and contribute to the maturity of blockchain ecosystem. As the demand for crypto bridges continued growing, developers came up with different types of bridges. Some of the notable types of crypto bridges include centralized and decentralized bridges. Most recently, multichain bridges have been garnering all the praise for connecting multiple blockchain networks at once. 

Definition of Multichain Bridges

The term ‘multichain bridges’ might sound a bit confusing as all bridges are supposed to connect multiple blockchain networks. Apparently, the answers to “What is multichain bridge?” leave out the existence of single-chain bridges that work between two specific networks. Multichain bridges are just like any regular software protocol that features smart contracts to facilitate asset transfer or communication between multiple chains. You can also think of multichain bridges as a web of interconnected blockchain networks that offers the best of every protocol.

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How Does a Multichain Bridge Work?

Multichain bridges manage the conversion of native assets on one blockchain to wrapped or pegged tokens on the destination blockchain. At the same time, the bridges also ensure secure asset transfer between networks making them almost similar to international bank transfer systems. The common method followed by almost all entries in a multichain bridges list is the ‘lock and mint’ approach. The ‘lock and mint’ method involves locking the native assets on the source blockchain and minting the equivalent amount of wrapped tokens on the destination blockchain.

Do you want to know what happens if you want to release the locked tokens on the source blockchain? You can release the locked tokens by reversing the process or burning equivalent amount of wrapped tokens on the destination blockchain. 

Let us assume a scenario where you want to send ETH tokens to the Polygon blockchain with a multichain bridge. The bridge with lock the amount of ETH tokens you want to send on the source blockchain i.e. Ethereum. In the next step, the bridge will mint the equivalent amount of tokens on Polygon blockchain. When you want your ETH tokens back on the Ethereum blockchain, the wrapped ETH tokens on Polygon will be burned to unlock the original ETH tokens. 

Significance of Multichain Bridges in the Crypto Space

The value of multichain bridges is not limited to cryptocurrencies only as they aim to have an impact on the broader blockchain landscape. Imagine the possibilities that would emerge from services that allow users to explore DeFi apps, NFTs, metaverse platforms, and other solutions without any barriers. The impact of multichain bridges on Ethereum or any other popular blockchain might not be explicitly evident as of now. However, multichain bridges have proved effective for new users who have been seeking opportunities to explore multiple blockchain networks.

You don’t have to exit the blockchain network that you want to capitalize on the offerings of DeFi applications on multiple networks. The solution to the interoperability challenge with multichain bridges also opens new doors for improving liquidity in newer or smaller blockchain ecosystems. In addition, multichain bridges also offer a trusted solution for seamless movement of NFTs between blockchain networks. As a result, bridges improve utility of NFTs alongside opening new marketplaces for them. Another advantage of multichain bridges is the assurance of solution to scalability problems as they can reduce congestion on popular chains. 

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Do Multichain Bridges Have Any Risks?

The use cases of multichain bridges show that they are the next big thing for the future of blockchain and crypto. The rising number of multichain bridges in crypto indicates that the interoperability challenge has remained unaddressed for a long time. At the same time, something’s good does not mean that it won’t have any bad qualities. Multichain bridges also present certain risks, such as security concerns in the form of smart contract vulnerabilities or centralization issues.

Multichain bridges are likely to present liquidity risks as they can face liquidity crunches during fluctuations in the crypto market. On top of it, bridges also become the most obvious target for attackers as they work as conduits for transferring large amounts of crypto assets.

Navigating Regulatory Risks for Multichain Bridges

The regulatory uncertainty that creates problems for cryptocurrencies also affects multichain bridges. If you use multichain bridges for Ethereum tokens in the United States, then you must comply with certain regulations. One of the key regulatory concerns for multichain bridges is the possibility of classifying them as money transmitters. On the other hand, FinCEN guidelines suggest that multichain bridges don’t hold direct custody of user funds, which excludes them from the definition of money transmitters.

Even if multichain bridges work within the ambit of law, the regulatory landscape can come up with new surprises. Take the worst case scenario as an example in which multichain bridges are classified as money transmitters. It would lead to a huge burden of compliance obligations on bridges, such as registering with the authorities, implementing KYC and AML programs and obtaining money transmitter licenses. 

The cross-border transactions with multichain bridges also create concerns about the applicable laws and jurisdiction. Since multichain bridges, blockchain networks and crypto assets work with decentralization, it is difficult to assign any regulatory responsibility. Multichain bridges will also have to adapt to regulatory frameworks that call for ethical and responsible use of crypto. 

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Final Thoughts 

The different features of multichain bridges and their benefits prove why they have been gaining traction. One of the biggest advantages of multichain bridges is the solution to interoperability problems. The addition of new entries in the multichain bridges list every day indicates their effectiveness and growing demand. They can address the need for seamless asset transfer between blockchain networks. However, multichain bridges are vulnerable to security risks and technical challenges. On top of it, regulatory uncertainty also poses many problems for bridges. Learn more about the utility of crypto bridges and use them to your advantage right now.

*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!

The blockchain realm has been a revolutionary form of innovation in the 21st century. However, the expanding acceptance as well as increasing popularity of blockchain has given rise to a plethora of blockchain networks. That’s true! Thus, it has led to the high fragmentation of the blockchain ecosystem, thereby giving rise to interoperability concerns. This is when cross-chain bridges come into the picture. 

The emergence of cross-chain bridges has been a breath of fresh air for the entire blockchain community. Cross Chain Bridges in crypto facilitate composability across diverse blockchain networks. Let’s explore deeper to understand how cross-chain bridges support seamless crypto transactions.

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A Glimpse into Cross-Chain Bridges

Cross Chain Bridges have come into existence as the perfect solution to address interoperability concerns in the crypto space. Cross Chain Bridges can be defined as the protocols that allow the transfer of data, information as well as assets between diverse blockchain networks. You can think of them as connecting agents that support two or more blockchains to engage and interact with each other. Hence, crypto bridges transactions are able to overcome the natural obstacles and bottlenecks that exist within individual blockchain ecosystems.

In the current time when the blockchain realm is booming and expanding like never before, the concept of cross chain bridges has been revolutionary. That’s correct! These bridges have led to the unlocking of a plethora of new possibilities. These new possibilities include better liquidity, a higher satisfaction level of users as well as a higher degree of decentralization. 

Although the concept relating to Cross Chain Bridges in crypto are fairly new, they are full of promise. Within a short span of time, Cross Chain Bridges have successfully paved the way for a new blockchain era. If you are wondering how, the answer is quite straightforward. The emergence of cross-chain bridges has made it possible for isolated blockchain networks to work in a cohesive manner.

Core Mechanisms of Cross-Chain Bridges

Now that you have an insight into cross-chain bridges, you may be wondering, ‘What is a bridge transaction?’ It is very obvious to have this question in mind. However, in order to answer this question, you need to become familiar with the core mechanisms that are involved in cross-chain bridges. By looking at this area, you can understand how cross-chain bridges function, leading to bridge transactions.

When an individual wishes to transfer their asset from one blockchain network to another, the first step involves asset locking. The bridge locks the asset on the source blockchain. It implies that the asset is held securely as it is sent to a custodial wallet or a smart contract. 

• Creation of Wrapped Assets

In the next stage, Cross cross-chain bridges in crypto are responsible for issuing a corresponding asset. It is also known as a wrapped asset, and this asset is created on the destination blockchain network. The role of the specific asset is of cardinal importance. This is because it represents the value of the user’s original asset.

• Facilitation of Cross-Chain Transfer

After the wrapped assets have come into existence in the destination chain, they are ready for cross-transfer. That’s right! They are transferred to the user’s wallet on the destination blockchains. Thus, the cross-chain transaction comes to an end.

• Burning of the Wrapped Assets

In case the user wishes that their asset should return to the original blockchain, this is done by destroying the wrapped asset on the destination chain. After the process, the cross-chain bridge is responsible for unlocking the equivalent amount of the users’ original asset. Therefore, the user has the opportunity to reclaim their asset. The specific model that is adopted ensures that there exists proper consistency when it comes to the supply of the assets in both blockchains. Moreover, it helps prevent issues relating to double spending.

The underlying mechanism of cross-chain bridges serves as a catalyst and boosts interoperability. In order to maximize the benefits of these bridges, you may consider referring to the cross-chain crypto list. It can certainly help you strategically leverage cross-chain bridges and enjoy engaging in seamless crypto transactions.

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Bright future of cross-chain bridges

The future of Cross Chain Bridges is full of promise. It has emerged as a revolutionary solution that helps to improve interoperability in the crypto landscape by bridging the gap between individual blockchain networks. As the crypto realm expands at a rapid pace, the value of cross-chain bridges may further magnify and reach new heights in the future. 

In the future, it is likely that the utility of cross-chain bridges crypto will further skyrocket. With the rising adoption of cryptocurrencies, more people will be willing to engage in crypto bridge transactions. Thus, they will be able to seamlessly transfer assets in the blockchain ecosystem without having to worry about its fragmented nature.

In the evolving and expanding crypto domain cross-chain bridges have the potential to support interoperability at the multi-chain level. By capitalizing on the underlying mechanics of cross-chain bridges in crypto, users will be able to engage in diverse assets and applications without any obstacles. Therefore, crypto bridge transactions can help you derive optimum value from crypto transactions.  

Potential challenges to consider

In order to get a holistic insight into cross-chain bridges in crypto, it is a must to consider potential challenges that may arise in the path. Even though the future of cross-chain bridges is full of new possibilities, certain challenges may arise. Only by identifying the potential challenges is it possible to prepare oneself to leverage cross-chain bridges to the fullest. 

• Security-related concerns

One of the main challenges that may arise in the context of crypto bridge transactions revolves around security. That’s right! You cannot ignore the possibility of security-related concerns. As several interaction points exist between different blockchain networks, security may be breached by malicious actors. In case any vulnerability exists in the bridge, it may be exploited, leading to the compromise of the asset transfer process. 

Another challenge for the users of crypto bridge transactions may arise in the form of high cost. Crypto bridge transactions may be much more expensive in comparison to other transactions that take place within individual blockchain networks. Thus, if you plan to make use of cross-chain bridges in crypto, you should be ready to bear additional transaction fees.

• Poor degree of standardization

Although Cross cross-chain bridges have the potential to revolutionize the crypto landscape by redefining interoperability, a major obstacle may arise in the path. The obstacle is related to the absence of standardization. Due to poor standardization in terms of protocols, ambiguity may arise in the context of cross-chain bridges in crypto. It may undoubtedly diminish its potential and the value that users are able to derive from crypto bridges transactions. 

• Concerns relating to scalability

Another potential challenge revolves around scalability aspects. The rising popularity as well as acceptance of cross chain bridges in crypto may give rise to scalability issues. The issue may further intensify when the traffic is high. Thus, users may find it challenging to effectively transfer their assets from one blockchain network to another. If focus is not laid on improving the scalability feature of Cross Chain Bridges in the future, it may act as a major hinderance for users. This is because the overall performance as well as reliability of crypto bridges transactions may diminish. 

In the future, stringent and complex regulations may arise in the crypto realm. These regulations may increase the overall complications with regard to crypto bridges transactions. The lack of adherence to the necessary regulations and legislation may give rise to serious problems for diverse stakeholders that exist in the crypto space. 

The challenges that have been identified need to be addressed in a strategic manner. Only by adopting a strategic approach will it be possible to optimally utilize cross-chain bridges in crypto and engage in seamless crypto transactions. 

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Final words

The introduction of cross-chain bridges has been a transformational force in the prevailing cryptocurrency realm. These bridges have created a unique pathway that can help in addressing the concerns relating to the interoperability aspect of blockchain. The crypto bridges transactions allow users to transfer assets between different blockchain networks. 

As a result, it has become possible to overcome the issues concerning the fragmented nature of individual blockchains. In order to leverage cross-chain bridges in crypto to the fullest you need to understand its underlying mechanisms and associated challenges at a comprehensive level. 

*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!

More than 27% of the roughly $1.4 billion worth of crypto stolen from Bybit earlier this year has “gone dark,” according to the digital asset exchange’s chief executive.

Ben Zhao notes in a new update on the social media platform X that 68.57% of the hacked funds remain traceable and 3.84% have been frozen.

Hackers looted Bybit in February for nearly $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH) and Lido Staked Ether (stETH), representing the largest crypto theft ever and possibly the biggest heist in world history.

The blockchain research firm Elliptic, pseudonymous on-chain investigator ZachXBT and other researchers pinned the exploit on the Lazarus Group, a prolific North Korean cybercriminal outfit known for numerous high-profile hacks on major crypto platforms.

Zhao says the North Korean hackers have used crypto mixers and bridges to hide the stolen funds.

“After a certain amount of BTC was washed through Wasabi, a small portion of it entered CryptoMixer, Tornado Cash and Railgun. Then, multiple cross-chain and swap services were carried out through platforms such as Thorchain, eXch, Lombard, LiFi, Stargate, and SunSwap. Eventually, it entered OTC (over-the-counter) or P2P (peer-to-peer) fiat currency exchange services.”

One of the exchanges he mentioned, eXch, announced last week that it plans to close its doors in May after facing crypto-laundering allegations.

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Sweet, a platform focused on sports fan engagement, plans to introduce a new rewards token called SCOR within its Web3 ecosystem. Participants can collect Gems by playing a series of sports mini-games on the “$SCOR on Sweet“ Telegram channel, then convert those Gems into SCOR when the token is publicly launched.

SCOR, supported by the SCOR Foundation, aims to serve as an entry point for digital collectibles, premium upgrades, merchandise, and other exclusive benefits tied to professional sports through Sweet’s Web3 platform.

SCOR’s Role in Sweet’s Expanding Ecosystem

Sweet has partnered with major sports organizations such as the NHL, MLS, select NBA teams, and Formula 1 partners, leveraging blockchain-based features to enrich fan experiences. By introducing SCOR, Sweet aims to connect sporting communities and casual gamers who may be less familiar with Web3 applications.

Through accessible retro-style mini-games, users can gather Gems by completing tasks like achieving high scores, referring friends, taking part in community discussions, connecting a wallet, and linking a Sweet account. Gems can also be used to complete challenges and maintain activity streaks.

Source: Sweet

Once SCOR launches, these Gems convert into tokens, offering tangible rewards within the platform. This approach appears designed to encourage sustained involvement and create a more interactive environment for fans.

“Integrating $SCOR into our platform is all about making sports fandom even more exciting and rewarding. With the introduction of $SCOR, fans can now earn real rewards that enhance the connection between pro sports and their fans in a fun and rewarding way,” said Sweet CEO Tom Mizzone.

The TON Protocol and Tokenomics

SCOR is built on the TON protocol, which is noted for its speed and scalability. The token supply is capped at four billion, with 44% allocated to ecosystem growth. This portion is intended to foster in-game incentives and community engagement strategies, potentially offering long-term value for token holders.

The underlying infrastructure aims to accommodate users who are either new to Web3 or accustomed to more traditional gaming. According to Alena Shmalko, Ecosystem Lead at TON Foundation, “We are thrilled to see $SCOR integrated into Sweet’s platform, pushing forward the adoption of blockchain in sports and gaming.”

Gamified Experiences and Beyond

On the user-facing side, Sweet’s platform ties each mini-game to various professional sports partnerships, encouraging fans to engage with digital collectibles, interactive challenges, and merchandise opportunities. Individuals who accumulate Gems through gameplay can convert them into SCOR, granting access to premium features, in-app upgrades, and items that correlate with real-world sports.

Sweet has previously released experiences like NHL Breakaway and MLS QUEST, which illustrate how blockchain elements can add a dynamic layer to sports fandom.

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