Router Protocol launches mainnet for L1 solution Router Chain

Coinbase Ventures-backed decentralized blockchain network Router Protocol has announced the mainnet launch of its Layer-1 solution, Router Chain.

The launch, scheduled for Tuesday, aims to connect Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) security to chains within the Cosmos (ATOM) ecosystem, enabling fully interoperable decentralized applications.

Router Protocol’s mainnet launch introduces chain abstraction technology that will allow developers to build dApps for cross-chain money markets, multi-chain tokens, and other use cases.

Router Chain eyes an abstracted chain ecosystem

Chain abstraction is about fragmenting the blockchain ecosystem to allow users to interact with dApps from any chain without having to leave their current applications. The abstraction also allows for interacting with applications on different chains through any token, with blockchains benefiting from aggregated liquidity.

Router Protool wrote in an update that the mainnet launch is another step towards addressing the challenges faced by developers and the community regarding chain abstraction within the Web3 ecosystem. According to details shared in the press release, the protocol offers a suite of products for this purpose that includes Router Chain, Nitro, and CCIF.

Router Chain is a proof-of-stake layer-1 chain that leverages Tendermint’s BFT consensus mechanism and offers compatibility with EVM and non-EVM chains. Meanwhile, Cross-Chain Intent Framework is a plug-and-play infrastructure for cross-chain dApps and supports Nitro cross-chain swaps.

“By abstracting away blockchain complexities, Router Protocol not only advances chain abstraction technology, but also enables next-generation decentralized applications to seamlessly interact across multiple chains, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This is the evolution Web3 has been waiting for,” said Ramani Ramachandran, Founder and CEO of Router Protocol.

ROUTE as gas indicator

Router Protocol’s mainnet launch also allows developers and users to take advantage of features like optimistic reverse validation and fast finality for fast cross-chain transfers, while middleware intervenors enable customizable interactions and composability.

According to Router Protocol, the ROUTE token will serve as the platform’s gas token and also provide staking rewards to its holders.

The Bridge Between Bitcoin, Ethereum and the Cosmos

Features coming with Router Chain’s mainnet launch include canonical bridges, omnichain tokens and alloy assets, and cross-chain money markets. Developers can leverage Router Chain for decentralized applications for cross-chain lending, borrowing, and trading.

Router Chain’s multi-chain dApp capability means developers can leverage Solana for low transaction costs and speed while still benefiting from the security of Bitcoin or Ethereum. Router plans to launch a bridging solution for Cosmos to help alleviate the chain’s security limitations.

Router Protocol, which is backed by investors like QCP Capital and Wintermute, is targeting a mainnet launch to expand beyond the 30+ EVM and non-EVM chains it currently supports.

Router Protocol has partnerships with Circle, Osmosis, and Electron Labs, while CCIF integrations include Lido, Benqi, Stakestone, and Aerodrome.