DeFi Bridges: How Tokens Move Across Blockchains

When working with DeFi bridges, systems that let tokens travel from one blockchain to another. Also known as cross‑chain bridges, they connect separate ecosystems, enable liquidity sharing, and open up new use‑cases.

A typical bridge locks the original token on its home chain and creates a wrapped token, a token that represents the original asset on a different blockchain, usually with a 1:1 peg. This lock‑mint‑burn cycle ensures that the supply on the destination side always mirrors the amount held in reserve. Because the wrapped version is backed 1:1, traders can move value without selling the asset, keep exposure, and still use the destination chain’s features. The process also relies on smart contracts that enforce the rules automatically, so no manual intervention is needed.

Key Pieces That Make Bridges Work

Beyond the lock‑mint‑burn logic, bridges need liquidity pools, collections of funds that provide the capital needed for users to swap between original and wrapped tokens. When you request a transfer, the pool supplies the wrapped token instantly, while the corresponding amount is secured on the source chain. The pool earns fees for providing this service, which incentivizes liquidity providers to keep capital on‑hand. Another critical piece is the validator network that monitors lock events and signals when it’s safe to mint or release tokens. This network can be decentralized (multiple independent nodes) or semi‑centralized (a trusted operator), and its design directly impacts the bridge’s security and speed.

Why does all this matter? Because DeFi bridges unlock the ability to use assets from one chain on another, expanding trading options, yield opportunities, and dApp access. In the posts below you’ll discover deep dives on wrapped token supply mechanisms, reviews of cross‑chain DEXs like PancakeSwap on zkSync Era, practical guides to using bridges safely, and the latest bridge projects shaping the ecosystem. Armed with this background, you’ll be ready to pick the right bridge for your strategy and avoid common pitfalls.