Gate Research Institute: Overview of Web3 Cross-Chain Services - Mainstream Protocols, Innovative Trends, and Challenges

The latest report released by Gate Research, "An Overview of Web3 Cross-Chain Services: Leading Protocols, Innovative Trends, and Challenges", systematically outlines the technical paths, main participants, competitive landscape, and future development directions of current Web3 cross-chain services. The report analyzes the core differences of leading cross-chain protocols in terms of interoperability, asset circulation, and cross-chain security, and also breaks down cutting-edge trends such as chain abstraction, intent-driven mechanisms, and AI integration, presenting a panoramic view and evolutionary logic of the cross-chain track for project parties and industry practitioners.

Key Takeaways:

• The Essence and Business Logic of Cross-Chain Services: Cross-chain protocols are the core infrastructure that breaks down the barriers of assets, data, and applications between chains, serving as a key hub for building an interconnected multi-chain ecosystem in Web3. Currently, cross-chain services mainly focus on asset bridging and message passing, while enhancing cross-chain efficiency and security, they are also gradually exploring more complex on-chain collaborations and cross-chain combination innovations.
• Current Landscape and Market Distribution: The market currently presents a landscape where LayerZero, Wormhole, and Axelar coexist as the three main standard protocols. Among them, LayerZero occupies a first-mover advantage due to its extensive ecological integration and lightweight architecture, Wormhole accelerates its breakout through cross-ecosystem asset bridges and open network standards, while Axelar focuses on the B-end market with full-stack services and compliance capabilities.
• Evolution of Technical Models and Exploration of Differences: Cross-chain services have gradually evolved from simple asset bridges to full-stack infrastructures capable of multi-chain messaging, cross-chain contract calls, and chain abstraction capabilities. LayerZero builds flexible channels based on light nodes and terminal user verification models, Wormhole creates an open interconnected ecosystem relying on the Guardian Network and standardized APIs, and Axelar focuses on cross-chain secure routing and decentralized governance, gradually strengthening the capabilities of cross-chain data and compliant asset transfer.
• Security Mechanisms, User Experience, and Economic Design: Cross-chain services need to seek a dynamic balance between security, user experience, and fee efficiency. LayerZero enhances security through a trustless external observer and end-user verification mechanism, Wormhole strengthens the standardization of cross-chain asset and message verification and introduces an additional security council, while Axelar reduces systemic risk relying on a decentralized verification network and full-stack governance.
• Future Trends and Development Directions: With the prosperity of multi-chain ecosystems and the upgrade of cross-chain demands, cross-chain services will gradually evolve from simple asset bridges to a full-chain interoperability network. Leading protocols will strengthen technical standardization and ecological synergy advantages, while chain abstraction and intent-driven approaches will gradually lower the barriers to cross-chain interactions. New technologies such as AI Agents and privacy computing will accelerate the extension of cross-chain capabilities.

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Gate.io March 13, 2025