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đź‘‹Wormhole Bridge | Docs

GitBook tip: your product docs aren't just a reference of all your features! use them to encourage folks to perform certain actions and discover the value in your product.

Introduction

Wormhole Bridge is a decentralized, non-custodial interoperability protocol that powers secure transfers of tokens, NFTs, and arbitrary data across 30+ blockchains—including Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Polygon, and more. By leveraging a distributed network of “guardian” nodes, Wormhole maintains a strict 1:1 peg between source and destination assets while eliminating single points of failure.

What Is Wormhole Bridge?

At its core, Wormhole Bridge implements a lock–attest–mint workflow:

  1. Lock: User locks an asset on the source chain via the Wormhole smart contract.

  2. Attest (VAA): Guardian nodes observe the lock event and co-sign a Verifiable Action Approval (VAA) off-chain.

  3. Mint: Submitting the VAA to the destination chain’s bridge contract mints or releases the corresponding asset.

This model enables native token transfers—no wrappers—preserving each token’s contract logic and upgradeability.

Core Architecture

  • Source Chain Module:

    • Smart contracts that lock or burn tokens/NFTs and emit lock events.

    • EVM-compatible chains (Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon) and non-EVM chains (Solana, Terra) are supported.

  • Guardian Network:

    • A rotating M-of-N set of nodes that witness source events and co-sign VAAs.

    • On-chain governance can update the guardian set to adapt to security needs.

  • Destination Chain Module:

    • Contracts that verify VAAs and mint or release assets for user addresses.

    • Ensures a one-to-one correspondence with locked assets.

  • Messaging Layer:

    • Beyond fungible tokens, enables cross-chain contract calls and data payloads, powering DeFi composability and cross-chain governance.

Key Features

  • Native Asset Transfers: Moves SOL, ETH, USDC, and other canonical tokens directly—no wrapped assets required.

  • Cross-Chain NFT Support: Transfers ERC-721/1155 and SPL NFTs with full metadata preservation.

  • High Throughput & Low Gas: Thousands of transfers per minute; VAAs minimize on-chain footprint and gas costs.

  • Decentralized Security: M-of-N guardian approvals thwart censorship and reduce single-point-of-failure risk.

  • Universal Messaging: Smart contracts can trigger actions across chains, enabling automated cross-chain workflows.

How to Use Wormhole Bridge

  1. Connect Wallet:

    • Open the Wormhole Bridge portal and connect via MetaMask, Phantom, or WalletConnect.

  2. Select Asset & Destination:

    • Choose a token or NFT and the target blockchain.

  3. Approve & Lock (Source):

    • Authorize the bridge contract to lock your asset and submit the lock transaction.

    • Wait for on-chain confirmations; guardians then generate the VAA off-chain.

  4. Claim (Destination):

    • Click “Claim” when the VAA is available.

    • Confirm the mint/release transaction in your wallet to receive the bridged asset.

API & SDK Integration

  • JavaScript/TypeScript SDK:

    • Comprehensive methods for lock, attest, and claim operations.

  • Rust SDK:

    • Ideal for Solana and Substrate integrations with native performance.

  • REST API:

    • Endpoints to fetch pending VAAs, transaction status, and guardian set details.

  • Reference Implementations:

    • Sample dApps demonstrating cross-chain swaps, NFT bridging, and cross-chain governance.

Security & Audits

  • Audit Reports:

    • QuantStamp and Trail of Bits have audited core contracts; full reports are posted on GitHub.

  • Bug Bounty:

    • A $5 million Immunefi program incentivizes responsible disclosures.

  • On-Chain Governance:

    • Token-holders vote to update guardian sets, adjust fees, and manage emergency halts.

Tokenomics & Airdrop

  • W Token Supply: 10 billion W

  • Airdrop: 6.17 billion distributed to early users and builders in March 2024.

  • Market Data: Ranked among the top 250 tokens by market cap on CoinGecko.

  • Incentive Structure: Ecosystem grants, developer rewards, and community reserves subject to vesting schedules.

Analytics & Adoption

  • Total Value Locked (TVL): Over $2.5 billion across supported chains (CoinGecko).

  • Daily Volume: ~$300 million in transfers, with Ethereum→Solana and Ethereum→BNB the busiest lanes (CoinMarketCap).

  • User Base: 150 000+ unique bridgers, with 45 % repeat usage.

  • Ecosystem Partners: Integrated by Aave, SushiSwap, PancakeSwap, and dozens of other DeFi protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is Wormhole different from other bridges? A: By moving native tokens and offering a universal messaging layer, Wormhole avoids fragmentation and enables cross-chain contract calls.

Q: Which chains are supported? A: 30+ blockchains, including major L1s (Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain) and L2s (Arbitrum, Optimism).

Q: What fees apply? A: Standard gas fees on source/destination chains plus a nominal bridge fee (0.02%–0.05%).

Q: Where can I find developer docs? A: Visit the GitHub at Wormhole Bridge GitHub for SDKs, API references, and sample projects.

Conclusion

Wormhole Bridge Docs provide a comprehensive reference for integrating secure, high-performance cross-chain functionality into DeFi applications. By combining native asset transfers, decentralized guardians, and a universal messaging layer, Wormhole empowers projects and users to build the next generation of multichain strategies with confidence and composability. Explore the Wormhole Bridge portal and GitHub today.

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