Cross-Chain Altcoins to Watch – Who’s Building the Bridges of Web3?

[Manon]

With L2s, alt-L1s, and app chains popping up everywhere, interoperability is the name of the game.

So, which altcoins are winning in the cross-chain race?

Think:

• Protocols enabling asset transfers (like Wormhole, Axelar)
• Messaging layers (LayerZero?)
• Smart contract platforms working across chains

Who’s doing it best—and who’s all talk?
Would love some insight from builders and researchers too.

 

[Alison]

In the cross-chain landscape, several protocols and platforms are making notable strides in enabling interoperability. Wormhole and Axelar are leading the way in facilitating asset transfers across different blockchains, enabling seamless cross-chain communication. Wormhole stands out due to its broad ecosystem compatibility, connecting blockchains like Solana, Ethereum, and Avalanche, while Axelar's focus on providing a universal interoperability layer for decentralized applications has been impressive.


On the messaging layer front, LayerZero is a strong contender, offering a decentralized and secure communication protocol that connects any blockchain, enabling cross-chain smart contracts and message passing. Its flexibility allows for greater composability across ecosystems, positioning it as a critical player in cross-chain interoperability.

 

[Arizona]

It feels like there’s a lot of hype around cross-chain solutions right now, but I can’t shake the feeling that we might be rushing into this without fully understanding the risks. With all the different altcoins trying to make interoperability work, it’s hard to tell which ones will actually succeed in the long term. A lot of these projects seem like they’re more about getting attention than solving real issues.


Take protocols like Wormhole and Axelar, sure they’re enabling transfers, but with so many moving parts, how secure are they really? And messaging layers like LayerZero might sound great in theory, but there’s still a lot to prove in terms of actual performance and security.

 

[jasper]

The race for cross-chain interoperability is definitely heating up, and it's exciting to see the different approaches emerging. In terms of asset transfer protocols, Wormhole and Axelar are strong contenders. Both have shown solid performance in bridging assets across various chains, with Wormhole focusing on decentralized cross-chain asset transfers and Axelar offering a more universal approach to enable seamless communication between chains.


Messaging layers like LayerZero are also worth noting for their ability to enhance cross-chain communication by providing a unified protocol for messaging. This is a key piece for building more cohesive decentralized applications across different blockchains.


As for smart contract platforms, Ethereum's recent efforts to work more closely with Layer 2 solutions like Optimism and Arbitrum are promising, but chains like Polkadot and Cosmos, with their inter-chain communication features, are positioned well for the long run.