RGB++’s core advantage (1): Bridgeless cross-chain

Source: Byte Yuan CKB

In the previous article "RGB++'s Isomorphic Binding and Its Security", we explored in depth how RGB++ cleverly binds Bitcoin's UTXO to CKB's Cell. This innovative isomorphic binding technology not only simplifies users' verification operations, but also maintains extremely high security. At the same time, we also briefly mentioned RGB++'s Leap operation, which opens up a wider range of application scenarios for users and opens up a new path for cross-chain interoperability.

Today, let's take a deep look at RGB++'s Leap function and learn more about its basic principles and unique advantages.

Basic principles of Leap

In the previous article, we used land, paper deeds, and electronic deeds as examples to introduce the basic principles and operation process of RGB++ isomorphic binding technology. Through that example, it is not difficult to find that the ownership of RGB++ assets (i.e., the "land" in the example) is closely bound to Bitcoin's UTXO (i.e., the "paper deed" in the example). Whoever can transfer or spend this UTXO ("paper deed") can unlock the corresponding RGB++ asset ("land"), because the unlocking condition set by the Cell containing the RGB++ asset interpretation (i.e., the "electronic deed" in the example) is that the UTXO ("paper deed") on Bitcoin has been transferred (i.e., only when the "paper deed" is sent and changed, the "electronic deed" will change accordingly).

If we construct an RGB++ transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain and set its unlocking condition to be not Bitcoin's UTXO but UTXO of other chains, this asset is equivalent to being transferred across chains to other chains, because the next time this asset is spent, it needs to be unlocked by UTXO of other chains. This is the core principle of Leap bridgeless cross-chain, which is essentially to "re-bind" the UTXO bound to RGB++ assets. For example, if an asset was previously bound to Bitcoin UTXO, it is now bound to UTXO on other chains such as CKB, Cardano or Fuel, so that the asset control authority can be transferred from the BTC account to the Cardano account.

At present, RGB++ has realized two-way Leap of assets between the Bitcoin blockchain and the CKB blockchain. It is reported that the RGB++ team is actively promoting the expansion of isomorphic binding and Leap functions to other UTXO blockchains. In the future, RGB++ assets will be able to shuttle freely between these blockchains, realizing truly seamless cross-chain transfers.

For users, Leap operations of RGB++ assets can be performed through JoyID wallet and asset manager Mobit.

Advantages of Leap bridgeless cross-chain

Cross-chain allows encrypted assets to flow freely between different blockchains, which has become a rigid demand in the multi-chain world. However, the blockchain world has suffered from cross-chain bridges for a long time. On the one hand, it is because the mainstream cross-chain bridges on the market often use multi-signatures, which requires a high trust assumption. Trust that the multi-signature parties of the cross-chain bridge will not do evil or steal from the inside, while cross-chain solutions with relatively weak trust assumptions have not been widely adopted due to poor user experience (for example, the state proof bridge will be very slow) or difficulty in implementation. On the other hand, in the dark forest world of blockchain, cross-chain bridges have always been the target of fierce attacks by hackers, and every time a cross-chain bridge fails, it will bring huge losses.

In contrast, RGB++'s Leap cross-chain technology has created a new paradigm: it completely abandons the traditional multi-signature cross-chain bridge and realizes truly permissionless, trustless, secure and efficient cross-chain transfer.

Really permissionless

Suppose Alice issued a Meme coin on the Bitcoin blockchain, and she went to the project owner or operator of the multi-signature cross-chain bridge to ask them to support its cross-chain to L2, but there is a high probability that they will be rejected. Traditional multi-signature cross-chain bridges often only support the pledge of several head assets and the generation of corresponding wrapped assets, and will not support those assets with low transaction volume or not well-known. This is because deploying contracts, setting up multi-signatures, monitoring asset changes in multi-signature addresses, generating wrapped assets, etc. require a lot of manpower and material resources.

RGB++'s Leap function is completely decentralized and permissionless. Any asset issued on the Bitcoin chain through the RGB++ protocol can be freely Leaped between supported blockchains without any third-party authorization or support. Therefore, if Alice issues a Meme coin on the Bitcoin blockchain through the RGB++ protocol, she can Leap this Meme coin to the CKB blockchain at any time, and can also Leap it back at any time, freely coming and going. This openness will provide unprecedented opportunities for innovative projects and niche assets.

No trust assumption required

Even if the project owner or operator of the multi-signature cross-chain bridge agrees to Alice's request and supports the Meme coin she issued, the trust assumption still exists. In traditional multi-signature cross-chain bridges, users pledge or lock their encrypted assets into a multi-signature address. Users need to trust that the operator of the cross-chain bridge will not do evil, steal, or run away, because once the assets enter the multi-signature address, the user loses direct control over the assets.

RGB++'s Leap technology completely eliminates this trust layer, because there are no middlemen or custodians in the entire process, and the assets are always under the full control of the user, without any trust assumptions.

Security

Multi-signature cross-chain bridges have always been a fierce target of hackers, because everyone's assets are locked in a multi-signature address. As long as the attack is successful, a large amount of wealth can be stolen from it. This is why every time a cross-chain bridge fails, it will cause huge losses of millions, tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Therefore, Alice and her users need to pray every day that the cross-chain bridge will not go wrong, otherwise the Meme coins she issued may be stolen by hackers or become worthless.

RGB++'s Leap adopts a peer-to-peer cross-chain model, which completely avoids the risk of centralized asset storage. Each cross-chain is independent, and the assets are always controlled by the user's private key, which fundamentally improves security.

Efficient

RGB++ protocol's Leap bridgeless cross-chain, in order to prevent block reorganization, needs to be circumvented by waiting for several more block confirmations (the specific time depends on the block speed and network congestion, especially the Bitcoin network). For users, since cross-chain is not a very high-frequency operation, this time is slower than the multi-signature cross-chain bridge, but it is within an acceptable range, especially considering the advantages of Leap cross-chain being more secure and not requiring trust assumptions.

Conclusion

RGB++'s Leap technology not only solves the trust and security issues faced by traditional cross-chain bridges, but more importantly, it creates a new cross-chain paradigm. As more UTXO chains join the RGB++ ecosystem in the future, the value of this bridgeless cross-chain technology will be further amplified. It can not only promote the flow of value between different blockchains, but also is expected to promote the entire blockchain ecosystem to develop in a more open, secure and efficient direction.

We believe that in the future of multi-chain coexistence, RGB++'s Leap technology will play an increasingly important role.