As Ethereum continues to underperform, more and more chains are introducing different virtual machines (VMs) — these are called “altVMs.”
In contrast, public chains such as Solana and Sui stand out, and the rise of Meme coin is beyond expectations, demonstrating the competition and collaboration potential of different virtual machines (altVM).
In this context, what does it mean for Catalyst to announce that it will be the only bridge between altVMs? 👇 🧵
What are altVMs and why are they important?
As we all know, virtual machines (VMs) are the core components for executing smart contracts. Ethereum's EVM is one of the earliest and most popular virtual machines, but it is not the only option. altVM refers to virtual machines that run outside of Ethereum's EVM, and they are usually designed as solutions optimized for specific needs.
For example, Solana, Sui and Aptos are all well-known altVMs that provide higher speed, more scalability, and even better security than Ethereum EVM through different architectures and technologies. The emergence of these altVMs gives developers more choices and makes on-chain application scenarios more diverse.
Although these altVMs have their own advantages, how to smoothly transfer assets and interoperate between them remains a huge challenge. Because of this, cross-chain protocols have become a hot topic.
Catalyst: Building a cross-chain bridge for altVM
Catalyst was created to allow users to easily cross different altVM ecosystems.
Unlike other cross-chains, the current cross-chain problem of EVM to EVM has been solved. Catalyst is the first bridge built specifically for altVM ecosystems such as Bitcoin, SVM, TON, Move, Cosmos, etc., connecting users outside of EVM.
The advantage of Catalyst lies in its rapid deployment and adaptability. It can support the newly emerging altVM in just a few months, quickly bringing users a new cross-chain experience. Most importantly, the design of Catalyst allows users to easily access other altVM ecosystems just like operating on Ethereum, greatly reducing the technical threshold for cross-chain operations.
CrossCats: One of the core components of Catalyst
So, how does Catalyst combine with altVM? This is where CrossCats comes in. CrossCats is an intent-based cross-chain exchange protocol.
Through CrossCats, users can transfer assets from one altVM to another, or even from traditional blockchains like Bitcoin to more modern virtual machines. This cross-chain interoperability greatly improves the liquidity of users' assets.
For example, suppose a user wants to exchange his Bitcoin for a token on an altVM. CrossCats will ensure that the transaction can be completed smoothly through its unique protocol, which is a more efficient and convenient cross-chain operation experience than Ethereum EVM.
What does it mean to users?
So, what does CrossCats mean to the average user?
On the one hand, users can transfer assets more easily, especially for the exchange between virtual machines and Bitcoin. Other cross-chain operations usually require the use of multiple tools, wallets, and cross-chain bridges, but with CrossCats, Bitcoin can be exchanged for tokens on an altVM in a single environment for cross-chain transactions, lending, or DeFi.
On the other hand, as CrossCats connects different altVMs, developers can deploy dapps on multiple chains. This means that users can experience more applications and services from other ecosystems, no longer limited to the Ethereum ecosystem.
✅ The CrossCats mainnet was launched on November 27th. For details, please visit its official website!
Summarize
Finally, let's summarize the relationship between altVM, Catalyst and CrossCats:
- altVMs emerged to address the limitations of EVMs, and they provide more efficient solutions for specific applications.
- Catalyst provides a bridge to the altVM, making cross-chain operations easier.
- CrossCats are the core component in the Catalyst architecture.
At present, cross-chain between altVMs and between BTC and altVMs is still relatively new. As the only connecting bridge, @CatalystSystem is relatively popular in foreign communities and deserves attention.
