Blockchain Bridges
Blockchain bridges are protocols or systems that enable interoperability between different blockchain networks, allowing the transfer of assets, data, or smart contract calls across them. They work by locking assets on one chain and minting equivalent representations (e.g., wrapped tokens) on another, facilitating cross-chain transactions and communication. This technology is essential for creating a connected, multi-chain ecosystem in decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi.
Developers should learn about blockchain bridges when building dApps that require access to assets or functionalities across multiple blockchains, such as in DeFi protocols for liquidity aggregation or NFT marketplaces for cross-chain trading. They are crucial for enhancing scalability, reducing transaction costs by leveraging different chains, and enabling users to interact with diverse blockchain ecosystems seamlessly. Understanding bridges is key for projects aiming to avoid siloed networks and tap into broader liquidity and user bases.