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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
By Fact checked by: Ciaran Lawler, Editor: Nazar Kuzmyn Published: May 18, 2023 │ 11:40 AM GMT Cross-chain bridges are an essential instrument in your DeFi toolbox. As the cryptocurrency industry expands at a dizzying rate, being able to shift your funds across different blockchain networks securely helps you explore new ecosystems easily.Despite what the maxis tell you, no one chain will rule them all. There are hundreds of different networks in the Web3 world, each with its unique identity and decentralized applications. Staying fixated on just one chain, like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), will significantly limit your opportunities within the crypto market. The need for interoperability between networks has never been higher.What exactly are cross-chain bridges, and why should I use them? Are blockchain bridges safe?In this article, we’ll explain why bridging between blockchain ecosystems is such a valuable skill and why cross-chain interoperability is so important for the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.What Is a Cross-Chain Bridge?A cross-chain bridge is a blockchain-based application that allows users to transfer digital assets and data from one network to another. For example, you can bridge ETH tokens from the Ethereum mainnet to the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), which has lower gas fees.In the true spirit of DeFi (decentralized finance), crypto bridges are permissionless, meaning anyone with a crypto wallet can access them and transfer tokens without being intercepted by centralized authorities.Most bridges use a ‘Lock and Release’ function, similar to how wrapped crypto assets like wBTC work. Imagine each blockchain is an island. When you initiate a token transfer, you deposit cryptocurrency onto the bridge from one side. The bridge application locks your deposit into its wide liquidity pool and releases an equal number of the same tokens to your wallet on the destination chain, or new island.While it may sound surprising, the same token can exist simultaneously on multiple networks. An easier way to think of it is to imagine apps in a mobile phone. Underneath the hood are slight differences between the Twitter app on Android and the Twitter app on iOS. However, the average end user isn’t bothered by the technicalities.Why Would I Want to Use a Cross-Chain Bridge?Using various networks is a great way to learn about blockchain technology and its use cases. While the Ethereum network has far more dApps than other chains, every blockchain has its own thriving ecosystem, with exclusive applications, tokens, and NFTs.User experience varies from chain to chain, with some networks being much more affordable than others. For example, the Ethereum blockchain is plagued with scalability issues. A token swap might cost upwards of $50 in transaction fees, while the same swap on Polygon would only cost you a few cents.Bridging tokens to emerging chains is another excellent way to qualify for crypto airdrops. Sending a handful of ETH tokens and interacting with a handful of smart contracts on Arbitrum netted some users thousands of dollars worth of ARBI.Best Cross-Chain BridgesNow that you’re clued up on why bridging over to exciting
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