What is DeBridge (DBR)?

What Is deBridge?

deBridge is a generic messaging protocol and cross-chain interoperability infrastructure designed to enable seamless communication between blockchains. It allows decentralized applications (dApps) to transfer assets, data, and messages across multiple blockchain ecosystems. By focusing on decentralized security and scalability, deBridge solves the common challenges of cross-chain communication, including liquidity bottlenecks, asset custody risks, and fragmented smart contract interactions.

Launched during the Chainlink Global Hackathon in 2021, deBridge aims to be a foundational layer for DeFi and Web3 applications. The protocol eliminates the need for liquidity pools, providing a more secure and scalable solution for developers and users looking to bridge assets and data between chains.

How deBridge Works

deBridge operates using two main components: on-chain smart contracts and an off-chain infrastructure of validators.

1. Cross-Chain Message Transfers: deBridge facilitates cross-chain message transfers, enabling dApps on different blockchains to interact with each other. Developers can build cross-chain applications that communicate seamlessly, performing actions like value transfers, contract calls, and data transfers across multiple chains.

2. Lock-and-Mint Mechanism: For asset transfers, deBridge uses a "lock-and-mint" approach. The native token on the source chain is locked in a deBridge smart contract, and a corresponding synthetic representation (deAsset) is minted on the target chain. This guarantees a 1:1 backing, ensuring that the supply of deAssets is always collateralized by the locked tokens on the source chain.

3. Solvers and Validators: Solvers are third parties that fulfill cross-chain orders by providing liquidity on the destination chain. Validators monitor transactions and provide signatures to ensure the validity of cross-chain transfers. deBridge's decentralized validator network secures the protocol, using mechanisms like delegated staking and slashing to discourage validator misbehavior.

4. Interoperability-as-a-Service (IaaS): deBridge also offers Interoperability-as-a-Service (IaaS), enabling blockchain ecosystems to easily integrate cross-chain functionality. This subscription-based service provides authenticated message transfers, asset custody, and cross-chain value exchange for EVM and SVM blockchains.

What Is The DBR Token Used For?

The DBR token is the native utility token of the deBridge ecosystem. With a total supply of 10 billion tokens, it plays a crucial role in governance and protocol security:

1. Governance: DBR token holders participate in the decentralized governance of the deBridge protocol. They can vote on key decisions, including changes to protocol parameters, fees, and validator selections.

2. Validator Staking: Validators are required to stake DBR tokens as collateral to participate in the network. This ensures that validators are financially incentivized to maintain the integrity of the protocol. Validators and delegators (users who delegate their DBR to validators) earn rewards from protocol fees, creating a secure and decentralized ecosystem.

3. Slashing and Security: DBR tokens are also part of deBridge's slashing mechanism. If validators attempt to collude or act maliciously, their staked DBR tokens are slashed as a penalty, helping to secure the protocol against attacks.

Fees and Supported Chains of deBridge

deBridge charges fees to process cross-chain transactions. These fees consist of two components:

1. Flat Fees: Users pay a flat fee in the native gas token of the source chain. This fee covers the cost of validators securing the transaction and sending messages between chains.

2. Variable Fees: A variable fee of 4 basis points (0.04%) is applied to the value of the assets being transferred. This fee is deducted in the input token being transferred.

Fees are dynamic and should be queried directly from the deBridge smart contracts to ensure accuracy. Additionally, fees are refunded if a limit order is canceled before fulfillment.

Supported Chains: deBridge supports a wide range of EVM-compatible and non-EVM chains, allowing for cross-chain transfers between major blockchains. Popular chains like Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, Polygon, and more are integrated into the deBridge network. New chains can be added seamlessly as the protocol scales, with validators automatically starting to process transactions once new chains are integrated.