What Is a Bitcoin Bridge? A Beginner's Guide to Cross-Chain Bridges
June 13, 2023
Bitcoin bridges provide Bitcoin users with the ability to deploy the digital currency in other blockchain ecosystems. Read on to learn more about Bitcoin bridges, including how they work and what risks you should be aware of when using them.
What is Blockchain Interoperability?
Blockchain interoperability is the ability for different blockchain networks to communicate, share information, and interact with one another. This means that a transaction could start on one blockchain and end on another, or data can be seamlessly transferred from one blockchain to another.
The purpose of interoperability is to overcome the limitations of current blockchains operating in silos, each with its own protocols, rules, and communities. Interoperability allows for the creation of more complex systems that leverage the unique strengths of different blockchains.
For example, a smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain might trigger a transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain, or a decentralized application (dApp) could use data from multiple blockchains simultaneously.
What is a Bitcoin Bridge?
A Bitcoin bridge is a cross-chain bridge that allows the transfer of Bitcoin from the Bitcoin blockchain to another blockchain in tokenized form, enabling blockchain interoperability for Bitcoin users.
Blockchains and their native assets are typically locked in as independent ecosystems and can't communicate with other chains without a cross-chain bridge. Blockchain bridges allow blockchain interoperability by facilitating flexible token transfer through different chains.
For instance, a cross-chain bridge makes it possible to deploy Bitcoin (BTC) in the DeFI ecosystem on Ethereum. The cross-chain bridge acts as a bridge (hence the name) between the two chains and transfers your digital assets from one ecosystem to another. However, instead of then holding native BTC, you hold a tokenized version of BTC on the new chain, 1:1 redeemable for native BTC.
How Do Cross-Chain Bridges Work?
The process typically begins with the original asset being locked in its native blockchain, often secured by a smart contract or a multi-signature wallet. Once this asset is locked, an equivalent amount of a wrapped or pegged token is minted on the destination blockchain, representing and backed 1:1 by the original asset. This enables the locked asset to interact with the new blockchain environment while maintaining its intrinsic value.
For instance, Bitcoin could be locked on its native blockchain, and an equivalent amount of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) could be minted on the Ethereum network, allowing Bitcoin to be utilized within Ethereum's DeFi ecosystem. If users decide to retrieve their original asset, the process is reversed: the wrapped token is burned, or destroyed, on the secondary blockchain, and the corresponding amount of the original asset is unlocked and returned to the user on the native blockchain.
There are two main ways cross-chain bridges transfer digital assets: the wrapped assets method and the liquidity pool method.
Wrapped Asset Method
This blockchain bridge method uses smart contracts and wrapped tokens. The bridge doesn't actually move assets but locks the assets you transfer in a smart contract. The smart contract mints and gives you equivalent wrapped tokens on the new network. Wrapped tokens are creations of the smart contract that represent your cryptocurrency but are compatible with the other blockchain.
For instance, if you want to transfer BTC from the Bitcoin network to Ethereum, a Bitcoin bridge will hold your BTC in a smart contract that then mints Wrapped BTC on Ethereum.
Liquidity Pool Method
This method is usually centralized and requires liquidity pools with a variety of assets. A centralized liquidity provider manages the pools.
For instance, if you want to bridge renBTC from Ethereum to BTC on Bitcoin, the liquidity provider will send you an equivalent amount of BTC after your renBTC pool deposit. The centralized authority uses the pool assets to complete transactions and charges a small fee.
However, liquidity pools only work if users lock their assets in the pool and actively keep trading. Most bridges with liquidity pools have staking programs with rewards to encourage users to lock in their assets.
Types of Cross-Chain Blockchain Bridges
Blockchain bridges can be categorized by function, level of centralization, and mechanism. Let’s take a look at the different types of bridges in the market.
Level of Centralization
Cross-chain bridges can be organized into two categories: trusted (centralized) bridges and trustless (decentralized) bridges.
Trusted/Custodial Bridges
Trusted bridges are dependent on a central entity, named for the fact that users have to trust their funds with the central entity in charge. Users give up control of their assets to the bridge's owner and heavily rely on the entity's reputation.
Trustless/Non-Custodial Bridges
Trustless bridges are decentralized protocols that leverage smart contracts to enable users to remain in control of their funds as they convert assets from one chain to another chain. There's no central entity in charge.
Mechanism
There are two main types of blockchain mechanisms: unidirectional (one-way bridges) and bidirectional (two-way bridges).
Unidirectional Blockchain Bridges
In one-way bridges, users can only transfer assets to another blockchain but not back to its native blockchain. The transfers are irreversible.
Bidirectional Blockchain Bridges
In two-way bridges, users can transfer assets back and forth between two networks, making it a preferred alternative for multiple transactions over unidirectional bridges.
Function
Blockchain bridges can be categorized by functions into wrapped asset bridges, multichain bridges, and sidechain bridges.
Wrapped Asset Bridges
Wrapped asset bridges “lock up” the user's assets and offer the user equivalent wrapped tokens compatible with the other network.
Multichain Blockchain Bridges
Multichain bridges facilitate the transfer of multiple tokens in a large number of networks. They are helpful when users are interacting with several wallets.
Sidechain Blockchain Bridges
Sidechain bridges connect the parent network to the child network. They are necessary because the parent and child network may be using different consensus mechanisms. The bridge allows easy transfer between the first and second protocol layers.
Examples of Bitcoin Bridges
Here are a few bridges that connect Bitcoin with other chains.
Avalanche Bridge
Avalanche Bridge is a two-way cross-chain bridge that allows the transfer of BTC from the Bitcoin Network to Avalanche's C-chain. The protocol depends on Relayers that approve and reject data by comparing proposals to swap assets to Avalanche's data. BTC bridging is available through Core, a non-custodial browser extension on Avalanche.
Polkadot Bridge
Polkadot Bridge is a two-way bridge that is permissionless and financially trustless. The bridge connects the Bitcoin blockchain to the Polkadot network. It mints iBTC tokens that users can exchange for their BTC, unlocking BTC liquidity for Polkadot DeFi.
tBTC Bridge
tBTC is Threshold's decentralized bridge that provides a trust-minimized platform for transferring BTC between Bitcoin and Ethereum. It’s a scalable and permissionless bridge that lets users exchange BTC for tBTC that can be used with Ethereum dApps.
Risks Associated With Using Cross-Chain Bridges
Cross bridges offer several benefits for blockchain users, including flexible interoperability and increased functionality and scalability. However, the use of cross-chain bridges is not without risks.
- Security risk: Blockchain bridges are still in the early stages of development. They have potential points of failure that hackers can take advantage of to steal assets.
- Centralization risk: Trusted bridges have centralized authorities that control the bridge and user funds, creating potential centralized points of failure.
- Smart contract risk: Architectural flaws in bridges have made them the target for hackers. Their high volume of funds and exposure to the underlying protocols of the two blockchain networks attract malicious actors.
- Fraud: Scammers can steal from users using fake cloned websites that look like blockchain bridges. The unsuspecting user is defrauded once they deposit their funds on the fraudulent bridging platform.
Bitcoin bridges play an integral role in extending the reach of Bitcoin as a digital asset, allowing holders (or HODLers as they are known in the Bitcoin community) to use the world's leading cryptocurrency in other blockchain ecosystems.
FAQs
What are the benefits of blockchain bridges?
Blockchain bridges provide several significant benefits, with the primary one being interoperability - the capacity for different blockchains to interact and communicate with each other. This interconnection allows for the seamless and secure transfer of tokens and data across multiple blockchain platforms, breaking down the barriers of isolated blockchain ecosystems. They also promote diversity and competition in the cryptocurrency ecosystem by allowing users to leverage the strengths of various platforms.
By bridging gaps between blockchains, bridges help in enhancing liquidity, allowing wider access to various DeFi services and opportunities. Moreover, these bridges foster innovation by enabling cross-chain smart contract operations, thereby expanding the potential for decentralized applications.