As Web3 continues to gain traction and more blockchain-based assets and use cases are being developed, compatibility between the different networks is becoming more crucial than ever before. Blockchains need to be able to communicate with each other to make it easy to run dApps and transfer assets across different chains.

Currently, there are several existing asset bridges to choose from, but most of these are limited in terms of security, supported tokens, and available use cases. There is clearly a need for a purpose-built, generalized, and programmable cross-chain messaging layer that is both secure and efficient enough to support applications designed with multi-network functionalities.

One of Polkadot’s parachains, Darwinia, solves the challenges of cross-chain integration by serving as a purpose-built and programmable cross-chain messaging layer between different applications. Built using the Substrate framework, it acts as a cross-chain relay station—a node or group of nodes that relay information or transactions between networks or blockchain layers—connecting Polkadot parachains with each other as well as with EVM-compatible chains outside the Polkadot ecosystem. It was built to make it possible to freely transfer assets between any chain without the need for additional infrastructure or third parties to connect the different networks. 

Darwinia connects to Polkadot’s Asset Hub and platforms such as the Helix Bridge to facilitate the secure transfer of assets and data from network to network through the cross-chain messaging protocol (XCMP). Since the Darwinia Virtual Machine is compatible with the same APIs used for Ethereum, developers can deploy Ethereum-based decentralized applications without significantly modifying how they function or calculate gas costs.

As a Polkadot parachain, Darwinia benefits from the security features of the Polkadot network, making it relatively safer from security breaches and errors during cross-chain transactions compared to many other network relay stations. Aside from Ethereum, Darwinia also plans to develop bridges to TRON, Binance Smart Chain, and other networks outside Polkadot.

How does Darwinia work?

Darwinia uses a series of specialized messaging protocols for transferring assets and data. Messages generated by smart contracts in the source chain are delivered to smart contracts in the target chain. Once the messages are accepted and verified, the source chain is notified and the transaction is marked as confirmed. Incoming messages can be filtered through smart contracts to limit which networks or applications are allowed to interact with the network.

The Darwinia Chain

The Darwinia Chain utilizes several protocols and infrastructure components for seamless cross-chain communication. These include mechanisms for asset transfer, smart contract execution, and data sharing between the Polkadot and Ethereum ecosystems and other connected chains.

Darwinia Msgport

Darwinia Msgport is a programmable cross-chain messaging port that lets developers integrate cross-chain functionality into their dApps. It functions as Darwinia’s service layer that allows smart contracts to send and receive messages regardless of which chain they’re running on. It is especially useful for dApps that require real-time data from multiple blockchains or those that need to execute transactions across different networks without complicating the user experience.

Darwinia uses specialized messaging protocols to facilitate cross-chain transactions among Polkadot-based chains as well as other networks. Each of these is uniquely developed to address specific user needs. Some offer low fees, while others offer high security but slower transaction speeds. Users can either manually pick the most suitable messaging layer based on their preferences or allow Msgport to automatically select one based on a predefined algorithm. Aside from the Cross-Chain Messaging Protocol (XCMP), the options are:

• Oracle Relayer Messaging Protocol (ORMP) 

ORMP is an omni-chain messaging protocol that streamlines the process of running dApps across multiple blockchains. It simplifies the work of developers by standardizing message transmission between different networks. It’s especially useful for building dApps that can retrieve and verify data from various oracles, or sources of data outside their native chains. By facilitating seamless and secure message transmission across different blockchains, ORMP enhances the interoperability and functionality of Dapps.

ORMP involves two key roles: the Oracle, which provides credible off-chain data, and the Relayer, which detects unrelayed messages on the source blockchain and transfers them, along with proofs, to the target blockchain. For added flexibility and security, ORMP lets applications customize their choice of Oracles and Relayers. Message verification via ORMP is designed to be very efficient to reduce costs.

• Light-client Cross-chain Messaging Protocol (LCMP) 

The Light Client Cross-Chain Messaging Protocol allows different blockchains to communicate with each other through messaging channels in a fast, secure, and resource-efficient way. For two networks that need to message each constantly, instead of sending and processing long and complicated messages every time, the LCMP only sends absolutely necessary information. This lets different blockchains exchange messages without needing a lot of extra data or effort. Overall, this makes cross-chain communication much faster and cheaper.

• Ethereum L1-L2 Messaging

Darwinia uses several messaging protocols between Ethereum’s Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks to make it possible for smart contracts from the different layers to interact.

RingDAO

Governance in Darwinia is managed through RingDAO, which utilizes the RING token. This decentralized governance model ensures that all token holders can take part in the decision-making processes regarding the network’s future development. Darwinia uses RING tokens which serve multiple roles within the Darwinia network, from paying transaction fees to participating in network governance through collator staking.

Darwinia utilizes a token burning mechanism where base fees and optional tips are included in transactions. The base fees, which are used to prioritize transactions, are completely burned, decreasing the total supply of RING tokens from the initial supply of 2 billion. Additional fees from cross-chain services like Msgport may also be converted to RING and potentially burned. This burning process could turn RING from an inflationary to a deflationary asset, especially if the amount of burned RING exceeds the number issued annually.

What are the use cases of Darwinia?

Token Bridging: Darwinia bridges between multiple token standards and blockchain ecosystems, enhancing the liquidity and utility of digital assets.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Support: Darwinia connects various liquidity pools, decentralized exchanges, and DeFi platforms, allowing users to invest in complex, multi-chain financial products. For instance, it has partnered with SnowSwap, an automated market-making decentralized exchange, to offer better cross-chain DeFi services. It has also partnered with Reef, Polkadot’s first cross-chain DeFi system, that offers smart lending, borrowing, and mining with the help of AI. 

Decentralized Governance: DApps and platforms integrated with Darwinia can implement cross-chain governance mechanisms such as community voting across different platforms.

Transaction Efficiency: For EVM-compatible dApps and platforms, Darwinia offers faster transaction speeds and reduced transaction costs compared to Ethereum.

Efficient Multi-chain DApp Development:

Using Darwinia’s Cross-chain messaging SDK, developers can pick and choose features supported by different blockchain networks and integrate them into the dApps they’re building.  This makes it easy to build multi-chain dApps that easily integrate with the particular payment channels, services offered, marketplaces, exchanges, and platforms that service different networks. This ability to combine the features of multiple smart contracts across different chains is key to building dApps which are no longer limited to the features of a single blockchain.

Multi-Chain Interoperability: Users can easily purchase and transfer assets used in blockchain games, NFT marketplaces, and other applications regardless of what network they run on. XAccount will also introduce account abstraction, by which dApps built on Darwinia will be interoperable with dApps on other chains.

With all these features and more in the pipeline, Darwinia is  fully gearing up to achieve its goal of becoming Polkadot’s main cross-chain bridge parachain. In the future, we can expect it to play a huge role in maintaining decentralized cross-chain compatibility between Polkadot and the rest of the blockchain ecosystem.

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