The Current Status and Development of L2 Blockchain Bridges

Blockchain bridges are important infrastructures that connect assets and applications on different chains. For the second layer (L2) solutions, the role of bridges is particularly crucial, as they can facilitate interoperability between L2s and between L2 and L1, improving the capital efficiency of the entire ecosystem.

There are mainly two types of L2 bridges:

1. Lock-Burn-Mint Token Bridge
2. Liquidity Network

Compared to blockchain bridges, L2 bridges anchored on the same L1 are usually safer, as they inherit the security guarantees of the underlying L1. However, L2 bridges still face some challenges, such as the "bridge dilemma" and the "interoperability dilemma."

The current L2 blockchain bridge ecosystem is still in its early stages, with various different designs and trust assumptions. Some mainstream L2 bridges include:

• Hope Exchange: AMM-based liquidity network
• StarGate: A native asset bridge based on LayerZero
• Across: Using a relay Optimistic blockchain bridge
• Connext: A hybrid design token bridge and liquidity network
• Orbiter: decentralized cross-rollup blockchain bridge
• Multichain: blockchain bridge for external verification

Although the L2 blockchain bridge ecosystem is thriving, users still need to carefully assess risks when using it, including risks of fund loss, freezing, and scrutiny. New technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs are expected to improve the security and efficiency of bridges, addressing some existing challenges.

Overall, L2 bridges, as the "glue" of the L2 ecosystem, will play an important role in promoting interoperability and the efficient use of assets. With advancements in technology and the promotion of standardization, the L2 bridge ecosystem is expected to gradually mature.