Solana News Today: 1inch Redefines Security by Removing Bridges in Cross-Chain Swaps

1inch, a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, has introduced a groundbreaking native cross-chain swap feature connecting the Solana blockchain with over a dozen Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks. This development allows users to transfer assets directly between Solana and EVM chains without relying on traditional cross-chain bridges, significantly enhancing security and reducing friction in cross-chain transactions. The feature is now available via 1inch's decentralized application (DApp), wallet, and Fusion+ API, offering users protection against maximal extractable value (MEV) attacks and streamlined access to liquidity across both ecosystems.

The innovation leverages 1inch’s Dutch Auction settlement model, combined with cryptographically secured escrow contracts, enabling trustless execution of cross-chain orders. Unlike conventional bridges, which create wrapped tokens on the recipient chain, 1inch’s approach allows Solana assets to be directly swapped with EVM tokens while maintaining native liquidity. This advancement aims to unify liquidity pools and improve the efficiency of decentralized finance (DeFi) markets. According to 1inch co-founder Sergej Kunz, the move represents a major step toward a “multichain DeFi stack” where underlying blockchains become irrelevant to end-users, who will increasingly prioritize optimal rates and security over chain-specific considerations.

The initiative follows 1inch’s integration with the Solana network in April, allowing users to trade Solana-based tokens directly through the platform. By linking Solana to Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, and other EVM chains, 1inch is expanding Solana’s accessibility as a DeFi hub. The Fusion+ API further supports this vision by enabling developers to integrate trustless Solana-EVM swaps into new projects, while retail users can access the feature through both mobile and desktop interfaces. The platform, which processes approximately $500 million in daily trading volume, plans to extend this interoperability to other non-EVM chains in the future.

The elimination of bridges not only enhances security but also addresses longstanding issues in the crypto space. High-profile exploits, such as the $111 million loss from the Heco Bridge in November 2023 and the $190 million theft from the Nomad Bridge in August 2022, have underscored the vulnerabilities associated with these platforms. 1inch’s approach mitigates such risks by removing the need for intermediaries or wrapped tokens. Kunz emphasized that this development aligns with a broader vision of a unified DeFi experience, where liquidity can flow seamlessly between chains without custodial controls or additional token layers.

Looking ahead, Kunz forecasts that within two to three years, the DeFi space could witness a multichain ecosystem where protocols are chain-agnostic and moving assets between chains becomes obsolete. This vision hinges on continued improvements in cross-chain interoperability and user-focused design. As 1inch continues to expand its infrastructure, the platform aims to provide more efficient and secure solutions for both retail and institutional users, further solidifying its position in the DeFi landscape.

Source: [1] 1inch launches native swaps between Solana and EVM chains (https://www.theblock.co/post/367406/1inch-launches-native-swaps-between-solana-and-evm-chains) [2] 1inch Solana-to-EVM crosschain swaps no bridges (https://cointelegraph.com/news/1inch-solana-evm-crosschain-swaps-no-bridges) [3] 1inch Price, 1INCH Price, Live Charts, and Marketcap (https://www.coinbase.com/en-sg/price/1inch)