Cross-Chain Bridges: How They Connect Blockchains and Why They Matter

When you send ETH from Ethereum to Solana, it doesn’t actually travel. Instead, a cross-chain bridge, a system that locks tokens on one blockchain and issues equivalent tokens on another. Also known as blockchain interoperability protocols, it enables assets to move between networks that were never designed to talk to each other. This isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for DeFi. Without bridges, you’d be stuck on one chain, unable to use the best tools, lowest fees, or highest yields across the ecosystem.

But bridges aren’t foolproof. They’re the most hacked part of crypto. In 2022, the Wrapped Bitcoin, a tokenized version of Bitcoin used on Ethereum and other chains. Also known as wBTC, it became a target because it’s essentially a promise backed by a central custodian. Same with DeFi bridges, software that connects decentralized finance apps across different blockchains. Also known as cross-chain liquidity channels, they often rely on small validator sets that can be bribed or compromised. The $600M Ronin Bridge hack? That was a bridge failure. The $190M Wormhole exploit? Also a bridge failure. These aren’t edge cases—they’re the norm.

That’s why the cross-chain tokens, digital assets created to represent native tokens on foreign blockchains. Also known as wrapped tokens, they you see on DEXs like KyberSwap Classic or Arbitrum aren’t the real thing. They’re IOUs. And if the bridge behind them goes dark, your tokens turn into digital ghosts. Some projects are trying to fix this with trustless designs, like zero-knowledge proofs or decentralized relayers, but most are still running on code that’s barely tested under real attack conditions.

What you’ll find here isn’t theory. It’s real stories: how a bridge meant to connect chains ended up wiping out user funds, why wrapped Bitcoin is more fragile than it looks, and how the next generation of interoperability might actually work. You’ll see how these systems shape everything from token prices to user trust—and why ignoring their risks is like driving without a seatbelt.