Hyperlane: An interchain messaging protocol that provides developers with API and SDK components
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Hyperlane: An interchain messaging protocol that provides developers with API and SDK components
Multi-chain ecosystems are becoming the future of the crypto industry.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insights
Written by Paul Veradittakit, Partner at Pantera Capital
Compiled by TechFlow
The multi-chain ecosystem is becoming the future of the crypto industry.
By leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address the blockchain trilemma—such as Layer 1 blockchains, rollups, and application-specific chains—users’ interactions with various protocols are being fundamentally transformed.
However, these developments present challenges for developers, who now must choose between ecosystems and then deal with fragmented liquidity. Each chain’s code represents a separate "state," so “cross-chain” solutions either rely on insecure asset transfers or require deploying interconnected protocols across every chain. As we transition into a multi-chain environment, cross-chain technology must evolve to address these issues. Widespread adoption of cryptocurrency hinges on enabling seamless inter-blockchain communication and developer experience.
To achieve true interchain protocols, Hyperlane is building a network communication layer between blockchains. Its developer-focused solution offers an interchain messaging API along with comprehensive SDKs and tools designed to reduce the time required to build interchain applications, freeing engineers to focus on user experience and security.
There are many parallels between the origins of the internet and today’s blockchain expansion. Before the internet, private Ethernet networks existed in schools, companies, and government institutions—fragmented, closed systems without standardized communication between computer networks. Then in 1983, TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) introduced a new communication standard that enabled public networks to open up and interconnect, creating a universal language linking all networks.
Similarly, Hyperlane’s modular, chain-agnostic architecture allows anyone to connect a new chain to an interchain messaging highway. The solution brings internet-like connectivity to blockchains and will accelerate innovation through powerful network effects across the crypto world.
Current State
Currently, asset interoperability solutions such as cross-chain bridges have been developed to link different chains, allowing users to lock digital assets on one blockchain to obtain liquidity on another. Despite growing interoperability, cross-chain bridges have also become prime targets for hackers.
In 2022 alone, attacks on cross-chain bridges accounted for 69% of all crypto-related hacks, resulting in over $2 billion in losses. As more chains are added to bridges, the number of smart contracts required grows exponentially, making them vulnerable to catastrophic cascading failures from even a single vulnerability.
To enable secure cross-chain interaction, we must overcome challenges related to lack of safety guarantees, poor scalability, and high costs. Solutions tailored for multi-chain platforms are essential to empower developers to build the next generation of decentralized finance and economic systems.
How Hyperlane Enables Interchain Applications
Hyperlane enables interchain applications through three key technologies:
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Messaging API
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Proof-of-Stake (PoS) for communication security
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Sovereign Consensus
Blockchain Mailboxes
Similar to TCP/IP, Hyperlane enables users to send and receive messages between chains via Hyperlane mailboxes.
Each chain has n-1 inboxes for receiving messages from other chains and one outbox for sending messages.
Hyperlane mailboxes can be configured on any smart contract-enabled chain, allowing applications to send and receive interchain messages.
Sending and receiving cross-chain messages involves three steps:
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On the source chain, the application calls the outbox contract. Users can send an interchain message by specifying the destination chain’s inbox domain, recipient address, and message content. These messages are then inserted into the Merkle tree of the outbox.
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Validators on the native chain sign the new Merkle root.
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Relayers submit the signed message from step two to deliver it to the intended recipient. The inbox contract on the destination chain verifies the Merkle proof before the recipient receives the message.
Attaching Costs to Fraudulent Behavior
Using unique validator sets to protect messages from each blockchain, Hyperlane leverages Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus to ensure message security. Users can provide economic security by staking tokens and delegating to one or more Hyperlane validators.
Validators monitor the outbox contracts on their respective chains and continuously sign new Merkle roots whenever messages are transmitted.
If a malicious actor attempts to censor or block messages, fraud proofs allow for penalties and slashing of validator stakes, thereby enhancing the security of the messaging protocol.
Configurable Interchain Security
While default Proof-of-Stake provides economic security, Hyperlane introduces Sovereign Consensus—a defense system that allows developers to customize their application’s Interchain Security Module (ISM), which is a smart contract defining the application’s security model. Applications can modify their security models and use Sovereign Consensus to decentralize trust assumptions in ways best suited to their needs.
With this technology, security evolves from a static solution into a modular one. The team is building to embrace potential future security paradigms—for example, perhaps zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs of blockchain state could exist independently and serve as an ISM. Sovereign Consensus maintains top-tier interchain communication performance while enabling highly customizable and cutting-edge security measures.
Examples of current ISMs include:
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Multi-sig: A simple t-of-n security model. Membership can be adjusted using a PoS adapter contract to find the most economically secure set of Hyperlane validators.
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Optimistic security: A security method developed by Optics. The optimistic ISM includes a fraud window during which any one of n parties can halt the system.
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Dynamic: The ISM changes its configuration over time based on message content or application state.
Team
Hyperlane was founded by seasoned industry veterans with extensive experience designing and implementing multiple protocols. Asa Oines, Nam Chi Hoai, and Jon Kol are the driving forces behind Hyperlane, aiming to create secure communication networks for interoperability.
During his tenure at Galaxy, Jon led investment teams and supported Solana, FTX, and Chaos Labs. Asa and Nam were early engineering team members at cLabs, leading the implementation of the Celo protocol. Zaki Manian, founder of Cosmos and IBC, and Morgan Beller, co-founder of Diem, serve as close advisors to the founding team. In addition, this strong core team includes protocol engineers from Google’s distributed systems group and cLabs.
Thoughts
In 2021 alone, over 1,312 blockchain application startups received funding.
Interchain activity is rapidly increasing, causing developers and consumers to unknowingly accept security risks associated with cross-chain communication.
As the number of blockchains and ecosystems grows, it becomes increasingly clear that robust cross-chain solutions must be built and integrated to safeguard users and protocols.
Through its developer platform and API, Hyperlane provides the necessary infrastructure to support the next wave of successful interchain applications. The protocol is already live on every major EVM chain, with support for non-EVM chains coming soon.
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