Cross-Chain Bridges: How They Work and Why They’re a Security Risk

Moving assets between blockchains sounds simple from a user’s perspective, but bridges are one of the most attacked pieces of infrastructure in crypto. Here’s why.

What a bridge actually does

A bridge locks or burns an asset on the source chain and mints or releases an equivalent asset on the destination chain.

Why bridges are a common attack target

Bridges typically hold large amounts of locked value in a single contract, making them a high-value target. Many of the largest crypto hacks in history have been bridge exploits.

Different trust models

Some bridges rely on a trusted validator set, others use more decentralized verification. More decentralized verification generally means slower but safer transfers.

What to check before using or building one

How long has the bridge been live and audited, and how is locked value secured. Minimizing how much value sits in a bridge at any time limits exposure.

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