# Synapse Protocol > The most widely used, extensible, and secure cross-chain communications network Synapse Protocol is a cross-chain messaging and bridging network. It lets users and developers move assets and data across multiple blockchains through an optimistic security model. Synapse Protocol is a cross-chain communications network classified as blockchain infrastructure. It provides a messaging framework and an economically secured method for reaching consensus on the validity of cross-chain transactions, allowing developers to build applications that operate natively across chains. Its offering is aimed at developers and users who need to move assets or arbitrary data between separate blockchain networks. The network addresses the problem of blockchain fragmentation, where assets and information are siloed within individual chains. It works through cross-chain messaging contracts that can be deployed across supported networks, combined with an optimistic security model that verifies the integrity of cross-chain messages before finalizing them. This generalized messaging layer supports arbitrary data transfer, including contract calls and token transfers, rather than being limited to a single use case. The flagship product built on this infrastructure is Synapse Bridge, which enables asset transfers and swaps across a range of supported blockchains through liquidity pools, alongside staking functionality for the network's token. Governance of the ecosystem is carried out by a decentralized organization that also oversees related products focused on AI-driven trading and an emerging options venue. The ecosystem is in the process of consolidating its governance and token structure under this broader organization. - Type: Protocol - Sector: Infrastructure - Status: Active - Founded: 2021-02-01 - Profile: https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol ## Products - [Synapse Protocol](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): Synapse Protocol is a cross-chain communications network that enables applications to send messages and assets between blockchains. It works through a cross-chain messaging framework combined with an optimistic verification model that confirms the validity of cross-chain transactions. Developers use it to build applications that interact natively across multiple blockchain networks rather than being confined to a single chain. (Cross-chain Infrastructure, Live, Main Product) - [Synapse Explorer](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): Synapse Explorer is a blockchain explorer for the Synapse network that lets users search and view cross-chain transactions and related activity. It presents transaction status, routes, and volume data for transfers processed through the bridge infrastructure. Users and developers rely on it to verify and track the status of individual cross-chain transfers. (Block Explorer, Live) - [Synapse SDK](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): Synapse SDK is a developer toolkit that lets applications integrate cross-chain token and liquidity transfers programmatically. It works on top of the underlying bridge router, allowing applications to request bridge quotes, execute transfers, and provide bridge liquidity. Developers use it to embed cross-chain bridging and swap functionality directly into their own applications without building bridging infrastructure from scratch. (Developer Tooling, Live) - [Synapse Bridge](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): Synapse Bridge is a cross-chain bridge that moves assets between EVM and non-EVM blockchains. It routes transfers through canonical wrapping, cross-chain liquidity pools, or native USDC routing depending on the assets and chains involved, selecting the most efficient bridge function automatically. The bridge supports transfers across more than twenty blockchain networks and integrates with a range of stablecoins and native assets. (Bridge, Live) - [Cortex Agent](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): Cortex Agent is an AI-powered DeFi copilot that lets users execute crypto transactions through natural language prompts. It provides perpetual futures trading with leverage, multi-chain swaps and bridging across a range of blockchains, and gas abstraction that removes the need to hold native tokens for fees. The agent also aggregates real-time market data, on-chain analytics, and sentiment sources, and provides a unified view of wallet balances and portfolio positions across many chains. The product remains in open beta. (AI Agent, Open Beta) - [Hypercall](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): Hypercall is an onchain options trading venue built on a decentralized perpetuals network, offering defined-risk crypto options without liquidations. It provides options exposure to underlying assets, starting with equity-linked instruments. The product is announced but has only been referenced through the ecosystem site, with a full launch still pending. (In Development) ## Assets - [Synapse (SYN)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): SYN is the governance token of Synapse Protocol, a cross-chain bridge and liquidity network. It is used to vote on protocol decisions through the Cortex DAO and to incentivize liquidity providers across multiple blockchains. The token has migrated to CX (Cortex) at a conversion ratio of 1 SYN to 5.5 CX, with both tokens remaining indefinitely interchangeable as the protocol shifts focus toward AI-powered blockchain infrastructure. (Governance) - [Cortex (CX)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/synapse_protocol): CX is the governance token of Synapse Protocol and Cortex Protocol, deployed on multiple blockchains. It is used for staking and as payment for agent usage and fees within the ecosystem. The protocol requires AI agents to stake tokens when they deploy, creating economic accountability that allows users to trust agents to execute transactions on their behalf. (Governance) ## Links - [Main](https://synapseprotocol.com) - [Documentation](https://docs.synapseprotocol.com) - [Blog](https://synapse.mirror.xyz) - [Forum](https://common.xyz/cortex-dao) - [Media Kit/branding](https://docs.synapseprotocol.com/docs/About/Brand-Assets) - [Privacy policy](https://explorer.synapseprotocol.com/privacy) - [Terms of Service](https://explorer.synapseprotocol.com/terms) - [Twitter / X](https://x.com/SynapseProtocol) - [Discord](https://discord.gg/4rMzuEnKqe) - [Telegram](https://t.me/synapseprotocol) - [GitHub](https://github.com/synapsecns) - [Twitter / X](https://x.com/Cortex_Protocol) - [Telegram](https://t.me/cortexprotocolofficial) - [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/cortexprotocol) - [GitHub](https://github.com/cortexprotocol) ## Legal This data is provided under two licensing models. Model 1 - open data. 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