Elliptic(@elliptic):Blockchains cannot read each other. A user holding Bitcoin cannot spend it in an application built on Ethereum, because the two networks share no ledger. Cross-chain bridges close that gap. The asset is locked, burned or pooled on one chain and the equivalent is issued on another, as two separate entries connected by a protocol. Our new blockchain basics article explains how bridges work, how they differ from decentralized exchanges and coin swap services, and where the compliance risk sits.

2026.09.22 10:18

Blockchains cannot read each other. A user holding Bitcoin cannot spend it in an application built on Ethereum, because the two networks share no ledger. Cross-chain bridges close that gap. The asset is locked, burned or pooled on one chain and the equivalent is issued on another, as two separate entries connected by a protocol. Our new blockchain basics article explains how bridges work, how they differ from decentralized exchanges and coin swap services, and where the compliance risk sits.