Unlocking the Potential — Chapter 2: A Deep Dive into Cross-chain Architecture and SLPx
Introduction
The first chapter explored the functionalities and operations of Bifrost’s staking liquidity protocol (SLP) and vTokens. This chapter will explore how Bifrost leverages its cross-chain architecture and SLPx module to overcome traditional barriers, offering users and developers a streamlined and efficient way to interact with vTokens across multiple chains.
Cross-chain architecture and SLPx
Bifrost’s Unique Approach
Unlike Ethereum’s liquid staking protocols, Bifrost from inception has supported Polkadot’s Omni-chain ecosystem. This strategic choice allows Bifrost to address the cross-chain friction users face when minting and using vTokens across the Omni-chain.
Why use a cross-chain architecture?
To understand the need for cross-chain architecture, consider a user who intends to mint vGLMR. They must first transfer GLMR from Moonbeam to the Bifrost-Polkadot chain. After minting, if the user wishes to use it on Moonbeam, they must transfer the vGLMR back to Moonbeam. This complex process requires multiple transactions, making it cumbersome for the user.
However, Bifrost’s cross-chain architecture and SLPx module simplify these complexities. They offer users a seamless experience by combining all vToken minting processes into one transaction on a single chain.
Simplified Process
Under the cross-chain architecture, instead of deploying SLP modules on multiple chains, Bifrost allows other chains to utilize the existing SLP modules on the Bifrost-Polkadot, Bifrost-Kusama, and Ethereum chains through cross-chain remote calls.
For instance, to mint vGLMR, users only need to initiate a minting request on Moonbeam. The remote call module on Moonbeam will cross-chain transfer the user’s GLMR to the Bifrost-Polkadot chain, where it is minted into vGLMR. After minting, vGLMR is transferred back to the Moonbeam chain.
Throughout this process, users do not perceive the underlying cross-chain operations; they only experience the seamless minting of GLMR into vGLMR on Moonbeam.
The redemption of vGLMR to GLMR and swaps follows a similar mechanism.
Like a chain franchise, this structure resembles a “headquarters + branch” system. Users interact with the branches on different chains. These branches communicate with the headquarters to obtain results, which are then presented to the users. This abstraction allows users to interact with the branches without being aware of the underlying cross-chain operations.
Advantages of Cross-chain Architecture
Unified Liquidity
Bifrost eliminates the need to bootstrap the liquidity of vTokens on multiple chains by consolidating liquidity onto a single chain. This optimization reduces user transaction fees and improves overall efficiency.
For example, when users want to swap vGLMR to GLMR, they can utilize the unified liquidity pool on the Bifrost-Polkadot chain via remote calls. This approach ensures better transaction prices and execution, avoiding the additional costs associated with bootstrapping liquidity on other chains like Moonbeam.
Cross-chain Integrability
Furthermore, when a DeFi project seeks to integrate vTokens, it no longer needs to integrate SLP modules from different chains separately. Instead, the project only needs to communicate with the primary SLP protocol on a single chain (or a few selected chains).
The SLP modules on Bifrost-Polkadot, Bifrost-Kusama, and Ethereum maintain the global and comprehensive status of vTokens. Ideally, in a fully interoperable blockchain ecosystem, the SLP module on Bifrost-Polkadot will hold the global and comprehensive status of vTokens, streamlining the integration process for various DeFi projects.
SLPx: The Developer Toolkit
Introduction to SLPx
SLPx is an extension module developed based on SLP, serving as a developer toolkit that enables the minting of vTokens on any chain. The goal is to simplify the integration of vTokens for more DeFi applications.
For developers, integrating SLPx involves only a few lines of code. Once integrated, developers can use remote calls to access minting, redemption, and swap services for vTokens on the Bifrost-Polkadot chain.
In October 2023, HydraDX became the first to utilize remote calls with SLPx. They used a treasury address for cross-chain calls and successfully minted 81,800 vDOT through Bifrost SLPx.
Bifrost considers the cross-chain architecture and remote call method a more advanced paradigm for multi-chain applications. It allows applications to be deployed on one chain while enabling users from any chain to access them.
For instance, in two hackathons held this year, namely the OneBlock x Polkadot 2023 Summer Hackathon launched on June 9th and the Polkadot x Angel Hack jointly hosted APAC Edition Hackathon started on September 7th, Bifrost participated as a judge and initiated specialized bounty programs centEred around Omni-LST. These programs aimed to encourage developers to implement various flexible application scenarios based on remote calls with SLPx.
In conclusion, in both theory and practice, Bifrost is establishing itself as a pioneer and leader in cross-chain architecture. Bifrost is paving the way for a more efficient and interconnected DeFi ecosystem by simplifying complex processes and providing unified liquidity and integrability.
