In 2021, multi-coin wallets emerged. By 2023, standalone apps became mainstream. As of 2025, we are witnessing chains evolve into an interconnected system where they are intertwined and alive. This system shares assets and execution.
How did the cross-chain bridge grow?
The cross-chain bridge was initially just a device that didn't work properly in a chaotic ecosystem. Assets were locked on one chain while being issued on another, and users had to rely heavily on the security of their keys. Currently, the bridge operates at a substantial scale: by January 2025, the total value locked in the bridge reached approximately $19.5 billion, and the cross-chain bridge collectively supports over $1.3 trillion in transfers annually, accounting for 54% of all DeFi activity.
LayerZero and Axelar have made significant progress in reducing liquidity fragmentation, with over $52 billion in cumulative transfers just through Wormhole. In particular, LayerZero currently processes over $5 billion monthly. Cross-chain transactions worth hundreds of billions of dollars have now become commonplace.
Why is 'omnichain' important?
The term 'omnichain' enables logical continuity beyond simple token movement. DeFi strategies execute on Ethereum, settle through Arbitrum, and can be arbitraged on Solana in just a few minutes using cross-chain protocols.
Such strong connectivity is creating a composable financial system. Liquidity is no longer restricted: traders on BSC can access Ethereum's rich liquidity, and vice versa. Today, execution across multiple chains is possible with a single codebase. LayerZero handles messaging across over 130 networks and has delivered more than 150 million messages, while Axelar's cross-chain activities have increased by 536% in just one year. This is how wallets and apps achieve true all-chain flow.
Businesses are getting involved.
Corporate adoption is increasing. For example, USDC has transitioned into a global native stablecoin across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Solana, and Base via CCTP, primarily as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum. Tokenized bonds from one platform can be settled through code on another platform, and custodians and exchanges are building a multichain payment layer. This infrastructure mimics the messaging systems of traditional finance but is implemented in a cryptographically verified ultra-fast form.
Security: The elephant in the room.
Bridges are complex software. Historically, over $2.8 billion has been stolen through hacks exploiting bridge vulnerabilities, accounting for about 40% of total cryptocurrency hacking losses. Centralized points of failure exist in trust-based operator models (such as custodial services of CCTP) and semi-decentralized validator sets. Bridges face a trade-off between speed and decentralization, often relying on small, high-speed relayers that are vulnerable to collusion. Even 'decentralized' bridges depend on off-chain oracles or governance that can freeze funds. The dependency on a single bridging network remains a systemic risk.
Risk mitigation requires careful key management, diversified trust systems, and enhanced user experiences to prevent indiscriminate transfers. LayerZero's decentralized oracles and Axelar's multichain validator set are examples of solutions addressing these risks.
Regulatory agencies are participating in the conversation.
The cross-chain bridge has become a headache in terms of regulatory compliance. Even in the first half of 2025, the amount of stolen funds laundered through them reached $1.5 billion, which is a scale that regulatory authorities cannot ignore. However, modern bridges can incorporate compliance logic: source tracking during token transfers, whitelisting, limit settings, etc. For example, Circle's CCTP is completely transparent to issuers. Through cooperation on standards, chains will be able to interoperate while maintaining compliance.
Horizon of Innovation
Innovation continues. Among the solutions proposed so far are restaking validator services to increase settlement speed and ZK proof technology for trustless cross-chain transfers. Startups are also developing prototypes of 'intent networks' that rely on solver markets for optimal execution by abstracting ZK-based bridge designs and paths.
While the infrastructure is not perfect, the originally alternative decentralized ecosystem assumes some degree of inefficiency is inevitable. In the future, cross-chain applications are expected to become seamless, supporting faster development and smoother user experiences.
Omnichain Future
The non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange ChangeNOW is witnessing this evolution every day. Customers exchange assets across more than 110 chains without needing to consider the bridge itself. Demand is increasing even in volatile markets. The industry is transitioning from an experimental phase driven by curiosity to core foundational infrastructure, and omnichain interoperability is gradually becoming the standard.
The year 2026 could become a point where 'multichain' is considered the default and 'omnichain' becomes the standard. Tools that enable smooth cross-chain development and wallet interoperability will make the underlying chains nearly invisible to users. While regulators may maintain the existing paradigm, the market is advancing with a focus on efficiency and interoperability.
Interoperability is not just growing; it is expanding almost vertically. Thanks to bridges that already support most DeFi transactions, we are on a clear path toward an integrated ecosystem. It won’t be long before today’s fragmented infrastructure feels like a distant memory.
Author: Pauline Shangett, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of ChangeNOW. Pauline Shangett is the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of ChangeNOW, a non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange with a monthly trading volume exceeding $1 billion. She has over 7 years of experience in the blockchain field and has a background combining marketing, growth, and strategy across various stages of product and market development. X.com
