Cross-chain Interoperability: The Key to Simplifying the Web3 User Experience

In the Web3 world, new users often have to go through complex steps to start using crypto applications. From wallet mnemonics to obtaining Gas tokens, and then to cross-chain operations, these technical terms and processes are a huge challenge for users accustomed to the convenience of Web2. Even experienced users find it a complicated process to purchase NFTs on non-EVM chains using assets on Ethereum.

Data shows that the global digital currency user base is expected to reach 562 million people in 2024, accounting for 6.8% of the global population, an increase of 34% compared to 2023. However, to attract the next batch of 500 million or even 1 billion users, it is necessary to enable users to complete full-chain operations more easily through the front end. Against this backdrop, projects focusing on cross-chain interoperability have emerged, aimed at achieving this vision.

Interoperability issues are becoming increasingly prominent.

With the rapid development of blockchain technology, we have witnessed the formation of a multichain universe. However, this prosperity has also brought about issues of complexity and fragmentation. The types and number of chains are growing rapidly, from high-performance Layer 1 public chains to Layer 2 scaling solutions, and to Layer 3 chains specifically designed for certain applications, each with its unique design philosophy and technical characteristics. This forces developers and users to choose and switch between numerous chains, increasing the learning costs and operational difficulties.

From a developer's perspective, different chains involve various heterogeneities such as underlying languages, account models, and contract standards. For example, public chains have differences in languages like Move, Rust, and Solidity, which pose a high learning cost for developers. There are also discrepancies in the account and state models of different public chains, such as the compatibility challenges between Ethereum's EOA accounts and Bitcoin's UTXO model.

On the other hand, the complexity of cross-chain interactions and the high transaction costs limit the widespread application of blockchain technology. Users have to face issues such as managing multiple on-chain accounts, different Gas fee standards, and fragmented liquidity, while developers also need to deploy and maintain applications separately for each chain.

As competition between chains becomes increasingly fierce, cross-chain interoperability issues have become more prominent. The industry needs scalable and interoperable blockchain solutions that allow users and developers to interact more easily. Chain abstraction, as the 2.0 version of interoperability, is a new concept and narrative born to address these challenges.

Chain Abstraction: A New Phase of Interoperability

Chain abstraction provides a standardized cross-chain operation framework, enabling users to perform asset transfers, smart contract calls, and other operations across different chains using the same account system and interaction interface, without worrying about the differences of the underlying chains. For developers, chain abstraction simplifies the complexity of multi-chain deployment, reduces the development and maintenance costs of applications, and promotes the construction of a cross-chain application ecosystem.

The ultimate goal of chain abstraction is to allow users to enjoy the convenience of decentralized networks without being aware of the existence of chains, while maintaining the security, privacy, and control of assets and data. It involves not only technical solutions, such as account abstraction, universal smart contracts, and cross-chain communication protocols, but also the simplification of user experience, such as a unified front-end interface, universal Gas tokens, and unified liquidity management.

For B-end developers, chain abstraction can reduce the costs of deploying various protocols across chains, enabling liquidity management in a full-chain environment, which both unifies market management and reduces the exposure to security risks. In the era of modular assembly of multi-chains, a full-chain interactive operability solution will become a necessary complement.

For end users, chain abstraction simplifies the relationship between users and various backend protocols into interactions between users and DApp applications. Users can even achieve a full-chain interaction experience by directly interacting with wallets, which serve as the processing center for users' complex intentions.

Future Outlook

With the continuous development of interoperability solutions, we can expect significant improvements in the Web3 user experience. This will not only attract more new users into the crypto world but also create more opportunities for developers to create innovative use cases and consumer applications.

As an industry insider once said: "Just as we don’t care about Netflix's backend systems, we shouldn’t care about the backend systems of decentralized applications." With the advancement of interoperability technology, we can expect the arrival of the next 500 million crypto users to become easier and more natural.