Cross Chain Transfer (CCT) is a method of transferring assets from one blockchain network to another.
Smart contracts enable the transfer of assets between two different networks without needing to create a new token or requiring that the same token be listed on both networks.
There are currently many different types of CCTs being developed and implemented.
Some are central authority systems while others are decentralized.
Centralized CCTs have a centralized authority system which enables the ability to freeze accounts and cancel transactions.
Decentralized CCTs do not require a central authority and cannot be frozen or canceled.
Multi-chain with decentralized relayer network and settlement layer
N/A - Intent-based blockchain protocol without AI/ML components
Based on official documentation and website technical descriptions
| Service | Cost | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across Bridge (Retail Users) | Variable fees | Fast, cheap, and secure crosschain bridging. Fees vary by route and market conditions. 2-3 second fill times. | Across Protocol official site |
| Developer SDK & API | Free integration | Developers can integrate Across functionality directly into dApps via SDK and API. No per-transaction fees for integration. | Across Protocol documentation |
| Enterprise/Custom | Custom quote | Custom integration solutions and dedicated support for large-scale deployments | Across Protocol |
| Feature | Across Protocol | Chainlink CCIP | Traditional Bridges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology Type | Intents-based bridging | Validator-based messaging | Lock-and-mint/burn-and-mint |
| Settlement Speed | 2-3 seconds | Slower (varies by chains) | Variable (5-30 minutes) |
| Cost Model | Low fees with competitive relayers | Per-message costs | High variable fees |
| User Experience | Simplified via intents abstraction | Complex smart contract calls | Multi-step process |
| EVM Chain Support | 9+ EVM chains | Multiple blockchains | Limited to supported chains |
| Developer Integration | Seamless SDK/API integration | CCIP smart contracts | Custom bridge setup |
| Security Model | Modular with competitive relayers | Oracle-based validation | Various (bridge-dependent) |
| Smart Contract Calls | Yes via intents | Native support | Limited |
| Standardization | ERC-7683 compliant | CCIP standard | Non-standardized |
Across has optimized for speed and user experience with an intents-based model for bridging. Chainlink's CCIP has provided a complete solution for cross-chain smart contract communication. While CCIP has lower costs, it has longer settlement times than Across' 2-3 second settlements. Additionally, Across is more focused on simplifying the end-user experience, while CCIP is more geared toward developers creating complex multi-chain applications.
Use Cross when you need fast, low-cost token transfers or simply need to make some basic cross-chain interactions; use CCIP when you require more complex communications using smart contracts or multiple-blockchain coordination.
Through its intents architecture, Across represents a generational leap forward in bridge technology. Legacy bridges are complex and difficult for users to understand, and often result in slower and more expensive transactions than those offered by Across. Across abstracts away these complexities and offers superior speed (2-3 seconds vs 5-30+ minutes) and lower cost through relayer competition.
Cross is the new standard for making cross-chain transfers, so most legacy bridges will be rendered obsolete.
Both provide multi-hop cross-chain payment capabilities, however Across utilizes a modern intents architecture whereas Interledger utilizes a connector-based architecture that is older than intents. Across is highly integrated into the EVM ecosystem and DeFi (Uniswap partnership), whereas Interledger is targeted towards more general use cases related to interledger payments across different systems.
Use Cross for your EVM / DeFi needs; use Interledger for broader blockchain and traditional finance bridges.
A similar intent-based strategy, however, Cross has achieved a significant market lead in the deployment of its production solution, through its role as a co-author of the ERC-7683 Standardization effort and through its partnerships, Uniswap Day-1 Integration, Unichain Official Bridge. Cross is an example of a service that has demonstrated empirically-tested performance at scale.
Cross has demonstrated proven execution and market momentum; newer entrants have yet to demonstrate any production history.
CrossChainIP uses an intent based architecture that consists of three layers: Intent (the user specifies the result they are looking for), Relayer (multiple networks compete to achieve the desired result), Settlement (the LP capital reimburses the Relayers). When users fund accounts, they can specify what action they would like to take with respect to cross-chain assets, and multiple Relayers will compete to perform that action in the most efficient manner possible. In doing so, we are able to deliver asset transfers in under 2 seconds, while maintaining the highest level of security.
Traditional bridges rely on locked liquidity and message passing to perform their functions, which creates significant security risks and slows down the speed of the transaction. CrossChainIP uses intents where multiple Relayers compete to achieve the desired outcome by the user, along with optimistic verification to enable instant execution. As such, we are able to offer faster, less expensive asset transfers without the associated custody risks.
The use of optimistic verification along with a time-limited challenge and a pool of liquidators using an Optimistic Oracle ensures that if there is an invalid settlement, the parties can dispute the settlement thereby providing economic safety. There have been no major attacks/exploits since the main net went live.
Currently supports 10+ EVM chains which include Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Polygon etc. The full list of supported chains can be found within our documentation and we plan to add additional chains to our modular architecture going forward.
Across fees are dynamic and competitive, as they are determined by the amount of competition among relayers and gas costs. Overall, fees tend to be less than 0.01% + gas when compared to other solutions and do not require subscription or tiered pricing. We operate under a pay per use fee structure.
Yes, we offer a simple way to integrate into your application with either our JavaScript SDK or API. This will allow you to embed a single click cross-chain deposit right into your UI. We currently power cross-chain deposits for many major protocols such as Uniswap, Velodrome, etc.
Across+ provides a bridge abstraction that enables developers to utilize cross-chain hooks and bundle the process of bridging and performing actions such as swaps into a single transaction. Additionally, users only need to sign once for complex operations across multiple chains. This is available via SDK integration.
Currently only EVM supported; non-EVM support coming soon. Large transfers will also depend upon the level of liquidity provided by relayers. Performance will be best on high liquidity pairs and popular chains.
Across Protocol has established itself as a leader in cross-chain interoperability via intents-based methodologies and has achieved industry leading ~2 second transfer times while maintaining low costs. This was made possible by modular architecture and relayer competition. As a result, co-development of the ERC-7683 standard positions us well for widespread adoption. We have proven our ability to scale with major DeFi integrations such as Uniswap.
EVM cross-chain best in class; Integrate when building multi-chain DeFi/dApps.
Market leading intents based cross-chain bridge at 2 second speed and very competitive costs.
Good - comprehensive technical documentation and blog posts. Limited customer reviews or pricing data as DeFi protocol. No formal support ratings available. Integrations confirmed via partner announcements.
An early day one bridge partner for Uniswap on Unichain. In addition to being used by Uniswap, it has been integrated into several large-scale DeFi platforms such as Velodrome and Frax. The co-developer of the ERC-7683 standard with Uniswap labs that enables intents interoperability across the EVM ecosystem.
Co-author of ERC-7683 which is the crosschain intents standard for Ethereum. This standard enables standardized interoperability across the EVM ecosystem and positions Across as the future intent infrastructure.
Active GitHub repository providing SDK, documentation, and examples for integration. A comprehensive set of docs are provided at the portal docs.across.to. The official Across blog provides regular updates regarding the protocol including deep dives into the architecture.
Median fill time is 2 seconds, processes billions of dollars in cross-chain transactions, and maintains < 0.1% fee levels due to the competitive nature of relayer capital efficiency. Industry leading capital efficiency.
Separation of intent, relayer, and settlement layers enables users to utilize the Across Bridge, and Across+ abstraction layers as well as OEM integration options. Any application may choose to integrate with the individual modules as required.
| Mechanism | Custody Model | Verification Type | Supported Chains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intent-Based | Non-Custodial | Relayer Competition & Optimistic Oracle | 9 |
Users express desired outcomes; relayers compete to fulfill these with optimistic settlement.
OO verifies disputed repayment amounts during the process of capital reimbursement from the relayer.
Third party relayers fund capital, which is reimbursed via LP pools and canonical bridges.
Layer separation: intent, relayer, and settlement – all trustless with no single point of failure.
Users express their desired outcome; relayers compete to fulfill at the best possible price/speed.
Network of third party relayers find the optimal cross-chain execution path(s).
Competition in real-time among relayers finds the optimal cross-chain execution path.
| Protocol Name | Total Chains Supported | Chain Categories | TVL USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across Protocol | 9 | EVM chains (Ethereum mainnet + L2s) | Multi-billion volume processed |
