Bridges Between Layer 2 Networks

The wait is over. Users no longer need to route through Layer 1 to transfer assets between Layer 2 networks. Say goodbye to excessive gas fees or wasted time bridging between layers just to operate within the Layer 2 realm.

Today, we’re excited to introduce bridges that connect all Layer 2 networks within our ecosystem. These bridges enable users to transfer their assets between Layer 2 solutions safely, affordably, quickly, and most importantly, directly.

Whether you’re sending assets between optimistic rollups, ZK-rollups, or transferring from one type of rollup to another—or even moving from Layer 2 to Layer 3—our bridges ensure seamless bridge transactions between all networks in our ecosystem. This includes Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon PoS, Scroll, zkSync, Base, Linea, Polygon zkEVM, Taiko, Mantle, and many more on the horizon.

If you’re holding assets on any of the mentioned networks and are curious about another Layer 2 or rollup we support, simply head to our app. Choose your source and destination networks, and we’ve already paved your path to a new Layer 2 ecosystem.

Towards a Rollup-Centric Future

The launch of our L2-L2 bridges is a pivotal moment, showcasing our recent developmental focus. While numerous challenges await, we prioritized building these bridges because we believe that Ethereum is transitioning into a multi-network, interconnected space, a vision shared across the industry.

Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, has projected that Ethereum would pivot toward a “rollup-centric” network, as he detailed in his 2020 forum post and a subsequent blog. This suggests a shift where most users move to Layer 2 networks and rollups, with Ethereum remaining the bedrock. This change is evident, with some top rollups now flippening Ethereum in daily transactions.

As Ethereum progresses to this rollup-centric paradigm, users will naturally disperse across various rollup networks, each offering distinct benefits. Imagine being part of a DAO on Arbitrum, managing a chunk of your assets in a lending protocol on Scroll, exchanging a stable coin on a DEX on Optimism, purchasing an NFT meme piece on Linea, and sending money to a friend on zkSync, who actively trades on Base. This multi-network engagement, though it might seem far-fetched now, is likely what our interaction with the Ethereum ecosystem will look like in the future.

In a rollup-focused ecosystem, Layer 2 interconnectivity becomes paramount, surpassing even Layer 1 to Layer 2 links. While many bridges connect Layer 1 to Layer 2, users are experiencing a lack of technology bridging two Layer 2 networks. Many Layer 2 projects have primarily focused on bridging to Ethereum, often neglecting Layer 2 to Layer 2 connections due to technical challenges and competitive dynamics.

With a dedication to Ethereum’s interoperability, Pheasant Network fills this gap, putting us in an ideal position to bridge various networks.

How Do Pheasant L2-L2 Optimistic Bridges Work?

Our newly launched L2-L2 bridges function fundamentally the same as our cross-layered ones, facilitating decentralized and optimistic transfers. This means that all bridge transactions are approved by default, and if any fraudulent transactions are detected, anyone can raise a dispute. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how our protocol works:

By default (when no disputes are raised):

1. A relayer deposits liquidity to the BondManager contract (Layer2 Bridge Contract)

2. A user sends assets they want to transfer to the PheasantNetworkBridgeChild contract deployed on the source chain and submits a request to the relayers.

3. The relayer then sends assets directly to the user’s address on the destination chain.

4. The relayer generates proof of the direct transfer from its transaction hash and registers it with the PheasantNetworkBridgeChild contract. This proof allows the relayer to withdraw the assets deposited by the user.

In the case of fraud:

1. A disputer initiates a verification process by highlighting a relayer’s misbehavior. To trigger this challenge period, the disputer must deposit a certain amount of assets.

2. The relayer presents evidence to vindicate themselves within a designated time frame after the disputer’s claim.

3. If the evidence validates the relayer’s legitimacy, meaning the disputer’s claim was false, the assets deposited by the disputer are confiscated as a penalty and transferred to the relayer.

4. If the evidence does not vindicate the relayer, or if they fail to present evidence within the designated period, the disputer can slash the relayer’s bond and retrieve the deposited assets.

For further details, please refer to the Docs.

Shaping Highly Interconnected Layer 2 Networks

Our latest launch marks a significant step toward a future where Ethereum’s Layer 2 networks are seamlessly interconnected. We genuinely believe that affordable, swift bridges are crucial to improving Ethereum’s scalability and interoperability, especially as the number of Layer 2 networks grows, and are committed to providing technologies that eliminate network barriers.

While we are proud of our accomplishments, our journey is far from over. We are already racing towards our next milestone. Connect with our vibrant community on Discord, stay updated with our announcements on X, and explore our latest insights on Mirror. If you’re affiliated with a Layer 2 or related project and are keen on collaborating, reach out to us. We always appreciate community-led, grassroots initiatives. Stay tuned!

About Optimistic Bridges

Optimistic bridges, inspired by the design of optimistic rollups, allow users to transfer tokens from one chain to another in an “optimistic” manner. Optimistic transfers mean that the protocol does not require Ethereum to verify all of the bridge transactions but checks only fraudulent-looking ones. This mechanism is similar to how optimistic rollups work, where the protocol approves all transactions executed on Layer 2 by default and triggers the verification process on the Layer 1 level only when something suspicious is found. This structure leads to a drastic cut in gas fees and a higher degree of decentralization, enhancing the scalability and interoperability of the Ethereum ecosystem.

About Pheasant Network

Pheasant Network is an optimistic bridge network inspired by the idea of optimistic rollups. We aim to bring the concept to bridge architecture to address Ethereum’s interoperability challenges as well as scalability issues. Our robust security system and cost-effective design enable cheaper and faster asset transfers between Ethereum and Layer 2 networks while ensuring security and decentralization. We believe that optimistic solutions are the answer to future bridge development.

Website | GitHub | Docs | Blog | Mirror | Twitter | Discord | L2 Learn