Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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Bridging Protocol

1 min read
Pronunciation
[brij-ing proh-tuh-kawl]
Analogy
Like a toll bridge with gates and customs officers controlling the flow of vehicles between two countries.
Definition
A set of smart contracts and off‑chain components that enable transfer of value and data between distinct blockchain networks.
Key Points Intro
Bridging protocols define the rules, messaging, and security for cross‑chain interoperability.
Key Points

Lock‑mint‑burn: Standard pattern for asset transfer.

Message relaying: Secure transport of proofs and events.

Consensus assumptions: Trust or decentralization model for validators.

Fee structure: Covers gas on both origin and destination chains.

Example
The Wormhole protocol uses guardian nodes to observe lock events on Solana and mint tokens on Ethereum, with a guardian quorum signing each message.
Technical Deep Dive
Components include on‑chain bridge contracts, off‑chain relayer daemons, and guardian key management. Messages carry VAA (verified action approval) signed by a threshold of guardians and verified via on‑chain `verifyVAA()` calls.
Security Warning
Centralized guardians create single points of failure; prefer threshold signature schemes or fully decentralized verifier sets.
Caveat
No protocol is risk‑free; users must weigh decentralization, performance, and cost trade‑offs.
Related Terms
Bridge Security Model

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