Clear DefinitionsCross-Chain Messaging Standard
1 min read
Pronunciation
[kraws-cheyn mes-ij-ing stan-dərd]
Analogy
Like an international postal standard (e.g., Universal Postal Union) that ensures letters sent from any country can be read and delivered in any other.
Definition
A protocol specification defining how messages, events, and proofs are formatted, transmitted, and verified when passed between different blockchain networks.
Key Points Intro
Messaging standards unify cross‑chain communication formats for interoperability.
Key Points
Envelope format: Standard fields for source, destination, payload, and proofs.
Proof schemes: Defines Merkle or cryptographic proofs for message validity.
Transport layer: Compatible with IBC, CCIP, LayerZero, etc.
Versioning: Backward‑compatible upgrades to message schemas.
Example
An IBC packet carrying token transfer data adheres to the ICS‑20 standard, ensuring any IBC‑compliant chain can parse and process the transfer.
Technical Deep Dive
Messages include a header (chain ID, sequence), body (action, args), and inclusion proof (Merkle proof or zk‑SNARK). Relayers submit proof to destination’s handler contract which verifies root inclusion and sequence before executing the payload.
Security Warning
Malformed or replayed messages can result in double‑spends; enforce strict sequence and replay protection.
Caveat
Different chains’ finality models can complicate message ordering and confirmation guarantees.
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