Axelar is a powerful, programmable interoperability layer that connects all of Web3, enabling seamless communication across diverse blockchains. Often described as the “Stripe for Web3,” Axelar allows users and developers to interact with any asset, on any chain, through any application—with just one click.

Unlike traditional bridges or wrapped asset protocols, Axelar offers secure, universal cross-chain messaging and asset transfers through a decentralized, permissionless network. At its core is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus system that ensures secure routing and execution of messages across integrated chains.

Developers can build cross-chain dApps using Axelar’s simple and powerful API and SDKs, eliminating the complexity of writing chain-specific logic. Axelar supports general message passing, token transfers, and smart contract calls across a growing list of EVM and non-EVM chains, including Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, Cosmos, Optimism, Arbitrum, Base, Sui, Near, Bitcoin, and more.

Key components of the Axelar ecosystem include:

General Message Passing (GMP): Enables developers to trigger smart contract calls across chains using arbitrary data, allowing for complex, composable dApps.

Axelar Virtual Machine (AVM): A programmable environment that lets developers build chain-agnostic logic and orchestration natively into the network.

Squid Router: A plug-and-play liquidity and cross-chain transaction layer built on Axelar, allowing instant swaps and user-friendly interchain experiences.

Interchain Token Service (ITS): For minting and managing native tokens that work across chains without wrapping or duplication.

Axelar's mission is to build a unified Web3 ecosystem where applications are not confined to one chain, and users can access functionality across multiple blockchains as easily as navigating between websites.