# Wormhole > Connecting the internet economy Wormhole is a cross-chain messaging protocol that connects blockchain networks for asset transfers and data communication. It serves developers building multichain applications and institutions moving liquidity across ecosystems. Wormhole is a cross-chain messaging protocol that enables communication and asset transfers across multiple blockchain networks. It provides the infrastructure that lets data, tokens, and application logic move between otherwise incompatible chains. Developers and institutions use it to build and operate applications that function across many blockchain ecosystems rather than being confined to a single one. The protocol addresses the problem of blockchain fragmentation, where individual networks cannot natively exchange information or value. It works through a decentralized network of validator nodes, known as Guardians, that observe and attest to activity on connected chains, allowing messages and assets to be verified and relayed elsewhere. This validation approach is open source and has been reviewed through internal processes and external audits, and the protocol publishes its security practices and code publicly. Wormhole's offerings span several categories, including generic messaging for arbitrary data transfer, native token transfer tooling, query infrastructure for reading onchain state, and settlement functionality for cross-chain execution. A dedicated token transfer application built on the protocol lets users move assets directly between supported chains. The protocol is used by application developers, liquidity providers, and multichain builders across a range of supported blockchains. - Type: Company - Sector: Infrastructure - Status: Active - Founded: 2021-07-01 - Profile: https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole ## Products - [Wormhole Connect](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole Connect is a bridging interface that lets users transfer tokens between blockchains through the Wormhole network. It provides a pre-built widget that developers embed into applications without deploying custom contracts, handling wrapped asset transfers via a lock-and-mint mechanism. Users select source and destination chains and assets to move funds, while the underlying messaging layer verifies and relays the transfer. (Bridge, Live) - [Wormhole Messaging Protocol](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole Messaging Protocol is a generic cross-chain messaging layer that enables secure communication between blockchains. It works by having a Guardian network of independent validators observe and sign outgoing messages, producing verifiable attestations that relayers deliver to destination chains where recipient contracts verify and execute them. This foundation supports arbitrary data transfer, enabling token bridges, governance actions, and other multichain applications to be built on top of it. Developers use it directly through SDKs to build custom cross-chain protocols, while other Wormhole products rely on it as their underlying security and delivery layer. (Messaging Protocol, Live, Main Product) - [Wormhole Queries](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole Queries is an on-chain data API that lets applications pull real-time data from multiple blockchains on demand. It retrieves state such as balances or contract data directly from supported networks and returns it through Guardian-signed attestations for verification. Developers use it for multichain analytics, reporting, and data aggregation without operating their own indexing infrastructure. (OnChain Data API, Open Beta) - [Wormhole Gateway](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole Gateway was a Cosmos-SDK blockchain that connected the Cosmos ecosystem to other Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. It used interoperability standards native to Cosmos alongside smart contract modules to enable liquidity and composability between Wormhole and Cosmos-based chains. A global accounting module tracked wrapped asset issuance to maintain parity with native assets. Development on the product has concluded, though it may remain accessible. (Bridge, Inactive/Support Ended) - [Native Token Transfers (NTT)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Native Token Transfers is a cross-chain infrastructure product that moves tokens between blockchains while preserving their native features rather than issuing wrapped representations. It works by locking or burning tokens on the source chain and unlocking or minting the equivalent on the destination chain, with access controls, pausing, and rate limits to protect transfers. Projects use it to keep token fungibility and native functionality consistent across multiple networks. (Cross-chain Infrastructure, Live) - [Wormhole Scan](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormholescan is a block explorer and analytics platform for the Wormhole cross-chain messaging protocol. It enables users to track, visualize, and analyze transactions and messages across the blockchains connected through Wormhole. The platform also provides API access to real-time data and a Governor dashboard for monitoring network security and transaction limits. (Block Explorer, Live) - [Wormhole Cross-Chain Queries](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole Cross-Chain Queries is an oracle-type service that verifies blockchain state on demand using attestations from a network of Guardian nodes. It processes batched requests across multiple chains and validates results to prevent manipulation before delivering data to applications. Developers use it to pull verified on-chain data into smart contracts without operating their own oracle infrastructure. (Oracle, Live) - [Wormhole SDK](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole SDK is a developer toolkit for building cross-chain applications through a unified interface covering multiple blockchains. It simplifies cross-chain transactions by automatically handling network-specific requirements such as gas fees and signature formats. Developers use it to integrate Wormhole's messaging and transfer capabilities into their own applications. (Developer Tooling, Live) - [Wormhole Settlement](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): Wormhole Settlement is an intents-based cross-chain infrastructure product that enables fast multichain asset transfers by consolidating liquidity on a single chain. It uses permissionless onchain auctions where solvers compete to fulfill transfer intents, providing competitive pricing without traditional bridging. The product targets institutional-scale transactions across multiple supported networks and stablecoins. (Cross-chain Infrastructure, Live) - [MultiGov](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): MultiGov is a DAO management platform that enables multichain governance across decentralized organizations operating on Ethereum, EVM Layer 2 networks, and Solana. Token holders create, vote on, and execute governance proposals that apply consistently across the supported chains through a single governance mechanism. This lets projects coordinate protocol decisions without maintaining separate governance systems per chain. (DAO Management Platform, Live) ## Assets - [W (W)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): W is the governance token of Wormhole, a cross-chain messaging protocol. It is used to stake for voting power and participate in governance decisions on protocol upgrades, fee models, and blockchain connection management across multiple blockchains. The token operates via MultiGov, an industry-first multichain governance system that enables holders to create, vote on, and execute proposals on any supported chain including Solana, Ethereum, and EVM layer-2 networks. (Utility) - [Wrapped Ether (Wormhole) (WETH)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): WETH Wormhole is a wrapped version of Ether bridged from Ethereum to Solana via Wormhole's Token Bridge. It is used in DeFi applications on Solana, including lending, trading, and liquidity provision in protocols that require ETH-denominated assets. The token is created through a lock-and-mint mechanism, where ETH is locked in Wormhole's Ethereum contract and an equivalent SPL token is issued on Solana. (Bridged Tokens) - [Wrapped BTC (Wormhole) (WBTC)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Wormhole): WBTC is a bridged version of Wrapped Bitcoin from Ethereum to Solana via Wormhole's Token Bridge. It is used in Solana DeFi applications for lending, trading, and liquidity provision in protocols that require BTC-denominated assets. The token uses a lock-and-mint mechanism where WBTC is locked in Wormhole's Ethereum contract and an equivalent SPL token is issued on Solana. (Bridged Tokens) ## Links - [Blog](https://wormhole.com/blog) - [Documentation](https://docs.wormhole.com) - [Main](https://wormhole.com) - [Media Kit/branding](https://wormhole.com/brand-and-press) - [Terms of Service](https://wormhole.com/pages/terms-of-use) - [Privacy policy](https://wormhole.com/pages/data-protection-and-privacy-policy) - [Twitter / X](https://x.com/wormhole) - [Telegram](https://t.me/wormholecrypto) - [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/wormholecrypto) - [GitHub](https://github.com/wormhole-foundation/wormhole) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@wormholecrypto) ## Relationships - [xLabs](https://thegrid.id/profiles/xlabs): Subsidiary - [Sunrise](https://thegrid.id/profiles/sunrise): Subsidiary - [Portal Bridge](https://thegrid.id/profiles/Portal_Bridge): Subsidiary ## Legal This data is provided under two licensing models. Model 1 - open data. 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