Wormhole

Wormhole is the leading cross-chain messaging protocol connecting Solana to 30+ other blockchains, enabling the transfer of tokens, NFTs, and arbitrary data between networks. It has processed billions of dollars in cross-chain transfers and serves as critical bridge infrastructure for the multi-chain crypto ecosystem. At its core, Wormhole uses a network of 19 Guardian nodes operated by major validators and infrastructure providers who verify cross-chain messages. When a transaction is initiated on one chain, Guardians observe and sign the message, which can then be submitted on the destination chain. This design provides security through a distributed set of trusted validators rather than relying on a single operator. For users, Wormhole powers the Portal bridge interface, enabling straightforward token transfers between Solana and chains like Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, Avalanche, and many others. The protocol supports both native bridge transfers and the newer CCTP (Circle Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol) for native USDC transfers, which avoids the need for wrapped tokens. Beyond simple token bridges, Wormhole's messaging layer enables cross-chain applications — protocols can build features that span multiple blockchains, such as cross-chain governance, unified liquidity pools, and multi-chain NFT systems. The W governance token was launched in 2024, giving holders voting power over protocol upgrades and fee parameters. The protocol continues to expand its chain support and add new features.