What is Optimism?

Optimism is a **Layer 2 solution for Ethereum**, the most popular Layer 1 blockchain for building dApps. Ethereum is the first blockchain to launch with smart contracts. **Optimism is a scaling solution for Ethereum and is a separate blockchain running on top of it. Optimism's mission? To help end-users like ourselves access Ethereum's dApps with cheaper transactions and a smoother user experience.** According to **[DefiLlama](https://defillama.com/chain/Optimism)**, Optimism currently **ranks #7 for the most popular chains by TVL, with roughly $806.97 milion locked in**. (Velodrome dominates nearly 26.81% of this figure.) **Source: [coingecko.com](https://defillama.com/chains)** **[Optimism Blockchain Explorer](https://optimistic.etherscan.io/)**

Optimism official website

Optimism Twitter

You can read more about **layer-1 and layer-2 blockchain scaling solutions** at: **[gemini.com/cryptopedia](https://www.gemini.com/cryptopedia/blockchain-layer-2-network-layer-1-network)**

What is Axelar?

Axelar provides a decentralized network and tools that help connect dApp builders with multiple blockchain ecosystems, applications, and users for frictionless cross-chain communication. Axelar consists of a protocol suite, tools, and APIs, designed to break down the barriers to cross-chain communication. Powered by a decentralized open network of validators; anyone can join the network, use it, and build on it.

The Axelar network makes cross-chain communication as simple as using HTTP/HTTPS protocols on the web. Platform developers can plug-in their blockchains to other ecosystems, and application builders can leverage a simple protocol and API to access global liquidity and communicate with the entire ecosystem. The Axelar team has deep roots in distributed systems, consensus, and cryptography. The venture is backed by Binance X, Coinbase Ventures, DCVC, Lemniscap, Collab+Currency, North Island Ventures, Divergence Ventures, Cygni Labs, and others.

General Message Passing

Axelar's General Message Passing (GMP) enables a developer building on one chain to call any function on any other connected chain. (We use the word “function” to encompass both smart contracts at the application layer and functions built at the protocol layer, as in Cosmos, for example.) That means complete composability across Web3.

With GMP you can:

Call a contract on chain B from chain A.
Call a contract on chain B from chain A and attach some tokens.

Axelar Blockchain Explorer

Axelar official website

Axelar Twitter

Axelar bridges

Currently, 2 bridges are built on the Axelar network.

1 - Satellite

Satellite is a web application built on top of the Axelar Network. It provides an easy-to-use interface that enables users to transfer their crypto assets from one chain to another.

Supported chains

Ethereum, Osmosis, Acrechain, Agoric, Arbitrum, AssetMantle, Avalanche, Axelar, Binance, Carbon, Celo, Comdex, Cosmoshub, Crescent, E-Money, Evmos, Fantom, Fetch, Juno, Kava, Ki, Kujira, Moonbeam, Polygon, Regen, Secret, Stargaze, Stride, Terra, and Umee.

Launch App

2 - Squid

Squid is the cross-chain swap and liquidity routing protocol on the Axelar network.

Squid utilises existing DEXs to swap and send any native token between chains. This can be done via our SDK, Front End or Contracts directly.

Supported chains

EVM chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Polygon, Moonbeam, Binance Chain, Fantom and Celo.

Cosmos chains: Cosmos Hub, Crescent, Injective, Juno, Kujira, Osmosis, Secret Network, Terra-2, Agoric, AssetMantle, Axelar, Comdex, Evmos, Fetch, Ki, Regen and Umee.

Launch App

Flash Challenge - 20. Optimism + Axelar Bridge Analysis