Bridging Architecture

LBTC and BTC.b are natively available across multiple blockchains. This page explains how cross-chain transfers work and the security mechanisms protecting them.


How Bridging Works

When you bridge LBTC from one chain to another, tokens aren't literally "moved." Instead:

  1. LBTC is burned on the source chain

  2. The burn is verified by multiple parties

  3. LBTC is minted on the destination chain

The total supply across all chains remains constant — bridging just changes where your tokens exist.


Dual Verification

What makes Lombard's bridging different is dual verification. Every cross-chain transfer requires approval from two independent systems:

1. Bridge validators — The bridge infrastructure (Chainlink CCIP or LayerZero) verifies the burn on the source chain

2. Security Consortium — Lombard's Consortium independently verifies and authorizes the mint

Both must approve. If either system rejects the transfer, it doesn't go through.

Why This Matters

Most bridge hacks exploit a single point of failure — compromise the bridge, steal the funds. With dual verification:

  • A compromised bridge alone can't mint unbacked tokens

  • A compromised Consortium alone can't bypass bridge security

  • An attacker needs to compromise both systems simultaneously

This significantly raises the difficulty of a successful attack.


Bridge Infrastructure

Lombard uses established bridge protocols rather than building proprietary infrastructure.

Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is the primary bridge for major EVM chains.

How it works:

  • Chainlink's decentralized oracle network validates cross-chain messages

  • Risk Management Network provides additional verification

  • Configurable finality requirements per chain

Chains using CCIP:

  • Ethereum ↔ Base

  • Ethereum ↔ BNB Smart Chain

CCIP documentationarrow-up-right

LayerZero

LayerZero extends coverage to additional chains through its Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) standard.

How it works:

  • Decentralized Verifier Networks (DVNs) validate messages

  • OFT Adapters handle cross-chain token transfers

  • Configurable security parameters

Chains using LayerZero:

  • Berachain

  • Corn

  • Etherlink

  • Sonic

  • Solana

  • Swell

  • TAC

LayerZero documentationarrow-up-right

IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication)

IBC connects Lombard to the Cosmos ecosystem.

How it works:

  • Native Cosmos interoperability standard

  • Light client verification

  • Burn and mint style bridging via IBC v2

Chains using IBC:

  • Cosmos Hub

  • Babylon Genesis

IBC documentationarrow-up-right

Native Consortium Bridging

Some chains have direct Consortium and Bascule deployments without relying on third-party bridge infrastructure.

Chains with native Consortium support:

  • Ethereum

  • Base

  • BNB Smart Chain

  • Katana

  • Monad

  • Stable

  • Starknet

  • Sui


Supported Chains

LBTC is currently available on:

Chain
Bridge Method

Ethereum

Native

Base

CCIP

BNB Smart Chain

CCIP

Berachain

LayerZero

Corn

LayerZero

Etherlink

LayerZero

Katana

Native Consortium

Monad

Native Consortium

Sonic

LayerZero

Solana

LayerZero

Stable

Native Consortium

Starknet

Native Consortium

Sui

Native Consortium

Swell

LayerZero

TAC

LayerZero

Babylon

IBC

BTC.b is available on:

Chain
Bridge Method

Monad

Native Consortium

Stable

Native Consortium

Katana

Native Consortium


Bridge Transfer Flow

Here's the complete flow when you bridge LBTC:

Step 1: Initiate Transfer

You select source chain, destination chain, and amount in the Lombard app. The app prepares a bridge transaction.

Step 2: Burn on Source

Your LBTC is burned on the source chain. This transaction is confirmed according to the chain's finality requirements.

Step 3: Bridge Verification

The bridge protocol (CCIP or LayerZero) detects the burn and validates the message. Validators confirm the transaction is legitimate.

Step 4: Consortium Verification

The Security Consortium independently verifies the burn event. Members check that the amount and destination match.

Step 5: Authorization

Both the bridge and Consortium provide signatures authorizing the mint on the destination chain.

Step 6: Mint on Destination

LBTC mints to your address on the destination chain. You receive the same amount you burned (minus any bridge fees).

Timing

Transfer time depends on source and destination chain finality requirements. LayerZero transfers are typically faster than CCIP transfers. IBC transfers to Cosmos chains may take longer due to relayer processing.


Fees

Bridge transfers incur fees from multiple sources:

Gas fees — You pay gas on the source chain to initiate the transfer

Bridge fees — CCIP/LayerZero charge fees for cross-chain messaging

Destination gas — Covered by bridge fees or paid separately depending on configuration

Lombard does not charge additional protocol fees for bridging.


Security Considerations

Finality

Bridges wait for source chain finality before processing. This prevents issues with chain reorganizations.

Rate Limiting

Unusual bridge patterns (like sudden large transfers) may trigger additional verification or delays.

Emergency Pause

Bridge operations can be paused if security issues are detected, protecting funds from ongoing exploits.

Monitoring

Hexagate provides real-time monitoring of bridge activity, alerting to anomalous patterns.


Next Steps

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