TON Builds Bridges: Integrating with Other Blockchains

The modern world of cryptocurrencies is built on numerous blockchains, such as TON, Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Algorand, Avalanche, Cosmos, Polkadot, Tezos, Solana, and many others. Each blockchain represents a unique ecosystem with its own rules, functionality, and consensus algorithms. This world resembles a universe divided into hundreds of isolated planets. Each has its distinct features: TON stands out for its speed, scalability, and integration with familiar tools like Telegram; Ethereum provides a robust foundation for smart contracts; and Bitcoin remains a symbol of stability and reliability.

Despite the wealth of opportunities, these networks remain relatively isolated from each other, creating challenges for transferring assets or data between them. This is where cross-chain bridges come into play. Their purpose is to connect fragmented cryptocurrency ecosystems, enabling users to move assets from one blockchain to another while maintaining their integrity and security. The TON community is at the forefront of this effort, actively advancing innovative integration mechanisms.

Why Is This Important?

Cross-chain bridges (bridges, blockchain bridges) are technologies that establish connections between blockchains. They facilitate the exchange of data and assets, such as tokens, smart contracts, and other forms of information, across different networks. Essentially, bridges ensure blockchain compatibility, allowing users to harness the advantages of diverse ecosystems within a unified financial strategy. This makes the seamless transfer of assets from one network to another possible.

Bridges play a critical role in uniting the currently fragmented blockchain systems. They significantly simplify the use of decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure and enhance its accessibility. Interaction between blockchains and token exchanges not only becomes feasible but also represents a key priority for both the TON network and the entire Web3 industry.

Today, TON is among the leaders working to unify disparate networks and connect them with the real world. This is achieved through the high speed, scalability, and convenience offered by the TON ecosystem.

Why Are Bridges Needed?

Imagine having access to exclusive financial instruments, rare NFTs, or more favorable conditions for trading and staking (earning rewards for holding cryptocurrency) in one blockchain network. However, your cryptocurrency resides in another network. This creates a significant challenge—network incompatibility. Differences in consensus algorithms, blockchain architectures, and transaction processing methods make transitions between ecosystems complex.

Bridges provide the solution to overcome these barriers. They enable seamless asset transfers between networks—such as from Ethereum to TON or vice versa—unlocking new opportunities. Yet, transferring assets is just one of their tasks. Key functions of bridges include:

Access to new DeFi opportunities. Bridges allow users to leverage unique products, services, and tools available in the TON ecosystem, including decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi platforms.

Enhancing network compatibility. Bridges connect fragmented blockchain networks, enabling assets and data to "travel" between them.

Reducing transaction costs. TON offers significantly lower fees and higher transaction speeds compared to other networks, making it attractive for users.

Expanding the ecosystem. Cross-chain integrations attract developers and users from other networks, fostering stronger interactions between ecosystems.

Ultimately, TON's bridge mechanisms ensure not only safe and convenient transitions between networks but also address the issue of insufficient compatibility among an increasing number of blockchains, making them more interconnected and interoperable.

How Does It Work?

The operation of bridges can be compared to passing through customs. You send your assets to a special smart contract in one network, where they are locked. In return, an equivalent amount of tokens is created in the destination network. This process is more than just a transfer—it's a kind of "teleportation" of assets, preserving their value, characteristics, and functionality.

The bridge mechanism consists of the following steps:

The user sends assets to the bridge's smart contract in the source network. These assets are locked, preventing further use within that network.

In the destination network, "synthetic" tokens equivalent to the locked assets are created. These tokens are fully backed by the original assets.

The user receives the synthetic tokens in their wallet in the new network. These tokens can be used in DeFi protocols, sent to other users, or exchanged.

The security of these operations is ensured through multisignature (multisig) mechanisms. Before transactions are executed, they must be confirmed by multiple independent validators, minimizing the risk of fraud or errors.

Example: Transferring USDT from Ethereum to Binance Smart Chain (BSC)

Suppose a user holds 50 USDT in the Ethereum network but wants to use them in BSC, which offers attractive DeFi protocols. Here's how they proceed:

Connect to a decentralized bridge via a wallet, such as MetaMask.

Select the transfer direction—from Ethereum to BSC.

Send their USDT to the bridge's smart contract in the Ethereum network. These funds are locked.

Synthetic USDT, fully backed by the locked original assets in Ethereum, are created in the BSC network.

The user receives these tokens in their BSC wallet and can use them like regular tokens—to participate in DeFi protocols, send to other users, or trade.

As with any journey, transferring tokens through a bridge incurs fees. However, these costs are outweighed by the expanded opportunities that become available to the user.

Bridges and Integrations in TON: Evolving Key Technologies

TON Bridge

TON Bridge is one of the most popular tools for integrating TON with other blockchains, such as Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), and others.

Functionality:This bridge allows users to transfer assets between TON and other ecosystems. For example, users can move USDT from Ethereum to TON for use in the Tonkeeper wallet or on TON’s DeFi platforms.

Bidirectional Transfers:The bridge facilitates two-way asset exchanges, offering flexibility and simplifying access to TON's ecosystem for users of other blockchains.

Advantages:TON Bridge features minimal delays and low fees compared to similar solutions on other blockchains. Its user-friendly interface is integrated with popular wallets like TON Wallet and MetaMask.

Security:Token locking and issuance are managed through decentralized smart contracts, eliminating the need to rely on centralized intermediaries.

TON Teleport

TON Teleport BTC, introduced in July 2024, is an innovative bridging system designed for transferring Bitcoin into the TON network.

Uniqueness:Unlike many bridges that rely on centralized intermediaries or federated models, TON Teleport is fully decentralized. It uses smart contracts, network validators, and cryptographic mechanisms to ensure security.

Advantages:

Transparent and secure transactions.
Automated processes reduce the likelihood of errors and risks of censorship.
High speed and convenience for working with Bitcoin assets in the TON ecosystem.

Impact on the Ecosystem:TON Teleport fosters DeFi activity, attracts new users, and supports integration with Telegram, driving the overall growth of the TON ecosystem.

TON-Wrapped Tokens

TON actively develops wrapped tokens, which are assets from other networks pegged to the TON ecosystem. These tokens can be acquired through TON Bridge or Multichain Bridge.

Examples:Wrapped tokens include wETH (wrapped ETH) and wUSDT (wrapped USDT).

Functionality:These tokens retain the value and functionality of the original assets and can be used within the TON network. If needed, they can be returned to their original network through the bridge.

TeleSwap Exchange

TeleSwap Exchange is a cross-chain application integrated into Telegram, providing users with a simple and convenient way to exchange assets between different blockchains.

Functionality:Users can directly connect to multiple networks, including TON, and perform fast crypto asset exchanges via Telegram.

Convenience:Telegram users gain access to cross-chain operations without the need to download additional apps.

Advantages:This solution is particularly popular due to its ease of use and seamless integration within Telegram.

XP.Network

XP.Network is a specialized NFT bridge enabling the transfer of digital collections across various blockchains, including TON.

Functionality:Supports multichain NFT transfers, allowing collectors and creators to operate in multiple ecosystems.

Advantages:

Guaranteed preservation of NFT metadata.
Compatibility with numerous networks.

Applications:XP.Network is ideal for digital art enthusiasts and NFT platform developers.

Symbiosis

Symbiosis is a universal bridge that allows users to exchange any tokens across any blockchains. Its primary goal is the complete decentralization of exchange processes.

Functionality:Symbiosis automatically identifies the best route for exchanges, minimizing fees and wait times.

Advantages:

Ease of use.
Broad support for tokens and networks.

Technology:Leverages smart contracts to ensure security and reliability.

Layerswap

Layerswap enables quick and cost-effective transfers of assets between Ethereum, Solana, over 30 other networks, and TON.

Functionality:The service optimizes transfers, reducing fees and processing times.

Applications:Layerswap is particularly useful for active traders and users who frequently make cross-chain transfers.

Features:Integration with numerous wallets and DeFi protocols.

Bridges for Custom Tokens

Creating bridges for custom tokens is one of TON's key objectives. These tokens are designed for specific purposes, including project governance tokens or support for NFT ecosystems. For instance, NFT bridges will enable users to transfer their collections between networks while preserving their uniqueness and value.

These bridges open new possibilities for developers, DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), and users by creating unique interoperability scenarios between networks. Projects will be able to develop tokens that integrate seamlessly with various blockchains, enhancing interaction and expanding ecosystems. DAOs will gain tools for cross-chain voting and management, while users will have easy access to multichain assets.

Deep Integration with DeFi Protocols

TON is actively working on creating bridges that enable integration with Automated Market Makers (AMMs). These algorithmic protocols are used for determining asset prices on decentralized exchanges, making token trading accessible and efficient.

Additionally, the team plans to integrate with lending platforms and other financial tools. These steps will significantly expand the functionality of TON’s DeFi ecosystem, attracting new users and developers. Interaction with AMMs and financial platforms will provide users with access to a wide range of features, including efficient token exchanges, staking rewards, and credit instruments. These solutions aim to strengthen TON’s position as a leader in decentralized finance.

Looking Ahead: Bridges as the Foundation of a Decentralized World

Today, we are witnessing revolutionary changes shaping the future of Web3. TON, taking a central role in this process, continues to build bridges that connect different ecosystems and blockchains. These innovations are transforming fragmented networks into a unified and interconnected infrastructure where users can freely move assets, access new opportunities, and participate in creating a decentralized world.

TON's cross-chain bridges have already become a vital tool for realizing the Web3 concept. They provide speed, convenience, and security for all ecosystem participants. In the future, these technologies will continue to evolve, offering users new horizons for working with decentralized finance, digital assets, and innovative solutions. TON confidently moves forward, paving the way for new standards and innovations in the industry, solidifying its position as one of the leaders of the new decentralized era.