Modular Bridging

A key innovation of ABC Stack comes from its deliberate decoupling of bridging from the core rollup functionality. ABC Rollup L1s are not tied to an enshrined bridge, and can implement custom bridging logic tailored to specific assets or use cases or operate without any bridges at all if they choose.

ABC rollups don't require a bridge to operate.

This means you can create an application-specific blockchain that only uses assets native to the rollup itself. This includes defining your own native gas token for the rollup, rather than being required to use ETH bridged from Ethereum for transaction fees.

For example, a gaming rollup can create its in-game currency to serve as both the primary token and the gas token, so that users can pay transaction fees with the same asset they use within the game. This simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for users to hold multiple currencies just to interact with the rollup. It also removes dependency on external blockchains for basic operations, eliminates bridge-related security risks, and maximizes performance since the rollup doesn't need to maintain or process bridge-related operations.

Developers can tailor the economic model of their gas token specifically for their application's needs rather than inheriting the properties and price volatility of an external blockchain's token.

ABC allows you to bring your own bridge.

ABC's modular architecture allows you to select bridging solutions that match your exact requirements. Use any combination of bridging solutions based on your specific needs. Different bridges offer various trade-offs in terms of security, speed, asset support, and economic models.

For instance, if your application demands security for high-value transactions, you can choose a bridge with stronger security guarantees. If your application needs fast finality for user experience, you can select a bridge optimized for speed.

Implement different bridges for different asset types or use cases within the same Rollup L1.

Different user segments have different risk tolerances or speed requirements - professional traders prefer faster bridges with higher throughput, while institutions require bridges with specific security models or compliance features.

For example, an ABC Stack rollup can use Hyperlane for general token transfers between chains and a specialized LayerZero (or custom Hyperlane) bridge for NFTs or other assets that ensures collection properties, royalties, and relationships between tokens are preserved when crossing from one ecosystem to the other.

Easily upgrade or change bridges without modifying the core rollup implementation.

Bridge technology and standards evolve quickly. ABC's separation of bridging from the core rollup functionality means you can adopt new bridging solutions or upgrade existing ones without needing to modify or redeploy the underlying rollup. If a more efficient or secure bridging protocol emerges, simply integrate it with minimal disruption to your users. This also prevents lock-in if a bridge provider changes their fee structure, security model, or supported chains.

Whether you want to use established solutions like Hyperlane, Decent, Socket, or LayerZero or build a completely custom bridge for specialized needs, ABC supports your choice. For applications with unique requirements, this means you can develop purpose-built bridging solutions that handle specific token types, implement custom security models, or connect to blockchains that aren't supported by mainstream bridges.