The Across protocol is a bridging method that uses bound relays, one-sided liquidity pools, and UMA's Optimistic Oracle, which, when put together, enable decentralized instant transfers. Across's cross-chain bridge allows you to return assets to Ethereum mainnet L1 in a cheap, secure and fast way
This is a novel bridging method that combines optimistic oracles, bond relays, and unilateral liquidity pools to provide decentralized instant transactions from the aggregation chain to the Ethereum mainnet.
It is the fastest, cheapest and safest bridge between L1 and L2!
Across is a bridging function and provides incentives to relayers to offer short-term loans to users on L1. These loans are repaid to the relayer within two hours, from liquidity pools on L1. The pool is refreshed once funds from the canonical L2 transfer settle. Transactions are insured using UMA’s Optimistic Oracle (OO), which acts as a dispute resolution layer.
The OO verifies and validates all contracts between the user transferring funds and the insurer earning the fee. Currently, users can bridge USDC, ETH and UMA from L2 Arbitrum to L1 Ethereum. Read more about the launch here.
By offering instant, secure and cost-effective transactions, Across will form a pivotal part of the infrastructure of the ecosystem. The protocol has been given to the community to build it into an entire ecosystem. While development of Across is still underway by UMA, the community has already become closely integrated in the project.
Is Across Safe?
The two pillars of security are very clear:
Optimistic Oracle and tested smart contracts proven by our audit
TVL in the Across bridge and our time-tested contract.