Celer cBridge

cBridge is a decentralized, multi-chain asset bridge developed by Celer Network that enables instant and low-cost token transfers across numerous blockchain networks and layers. It supports a wide range of chains and tokens, providing a trustless environment where relay nodes facilitate cross-chain transfers without custody of user funds. The system leverages Hashed Time Lock (HTL) contracts to secure transfers and ensure atomicity, protecting relay nodes from malicious user behavior.

The core component is the cBridge relay node, an open-source Golang implementation that operators can deploy on Linux machines. Relay nodes require an Ethereum keystore for signing transactions and must maintain sufficient token liquidity and gas balances on supported chains. The relay node interacts with cBridge smart contracts deployed on each chain and uses CockroachDB to store transfer records. Operators configure their nodes with chain-specific RPC endpoints, token lists, and fee rates, allowing flexible support for various tokens and chains.

cBridge differentiates itself by supporting the largest number of chains and tokens among bridges, offering some of the lowest fees, and providing a zero-trust model where relay nodes never custody user funds. Its relay node selection algorithm prioritizes nodes with high success rates and competitive fees, incentivizing reliable operation. The project provides detailed operational best practices, including monitoring for node uptime, liquidity, and gas balances, as well as fee adjustment strategies to maintain competitiveness. Developers and operators can get started by following the comprehensive documentation and deploying relay nodes with provided binaries or source code.