Across Protocol

Across Protocol is a cross-chain bridge that lets users move tokens between Ethereum and several compatible networks, including Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and Boba Network, without leaving their preferred ecosystem. The problem it claims to address is the friction and capital inefficiency of transferring assets across separate blockchains, which matters for anyone who wants to use applications on multiple networks. Its native token, ACX, is the governance token associated with the protocol.

Across uses UMA's optimistic oracle to verify cross-chain transfers, meaning transfers are assumed valid and can be disputed within a challenge window rather than being proven upfront. A single shared liquidity pool serves all supported routes, and independent relayers front the capital for users and are later reimbursed from that pool, which is how the protocol claims capital efficiency and a no-slippage fee model. ACX is used for governance of the protocol and sits within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Fees are generated by users who pay to have their tokens moved across chains, with relayers and liquidity providers being the intended recipients of those fees. Over the trailing 24 hours the protocol recorded 3,008 USD in fees, over the trailing 7 days 19,122 USD, and over the trailing 30 days 116,751 USD. Annualizing from the trailing 30-day figure produces an annualized fee run rate of 1,420,470.50 USD, and fee growth over the last 30 days was 38.04 percent. The trailing 12-month fee total recorded is 309,027 USD.