Here we report on the progress of the leading builders in the zk Cross-Chain ecosystem, documenting recent significant releases, technical breakthroughs and general updates.
Featuring: @AcrossProtocol, @Agglayer, @EspressoSys, @hyperbridge, @Orbiter_Finance, @PolyhedraZK, @union_build, & @zkLink_Official.
@AcrossProtocol has launched stablecoin bridging on @Plasma, a new L1 blockchain built specifically for stablecoins: https://across.to/blog/plasma
Plasma enables zero-fee USDT transfers and lets users pay fees directly with stablecoins. As a launch partner, Across provides instant, low-cost, and secure transfers of stablecoins to and from Plasma.
Powered by Across V4 and ZKPs, the integration enhances liquidity, speed, and security for stablecoin transactions.
Tech
@Agglayer has launched AggKit, a standardized toolkit that enables non-CDK blockchains to connect to its interoperability network: https://agglayer.dev/blogs/introducing-aggkit-the-standardized-path-to-connect-any-chain-to-agglayer
Part of the Agglayer v0.3.5 release, AggKit introduces two core tools - AggSender and AggOracle - for safely reading and writing global state across chains. The update also strengthens bridge security, with expanded integration features planned for early 2026.
Partnerships
@forknet_io, developed by @NeurochainAI, has launched its mainnet as a CDK OP Stack L2 on Agglayer: https://agglayer.dev/blogs/forknet-mainnet-is-live-bringing-native-crosschain-orderbook-trading-to-agglayer
The platform introduces a native crosschain orderbook that unifies liquidity across connected chains, allowing seamless spot and perpetual trading.
Built for developers and market makers, Forknet offers EVM compatibility, efficient execution, and revenue generation through Vault Bridge, aiming to simplify and strengthen crosschain DeFi infrastructure.
Bug Bounty
Agglayer has launched a public bug bounty for its cross-chain Vault Bridge on @cantinaxyz: https://x.com/Agglayer/status/1978099745165041957
Security researchers are invited to review live smart contracts that generate sustainable yield from bridge deposits. Rewards of up to $1 million are offered, depending on the severity of discovered vulnerabilities.
@EspressoSys has announced new integrations that expand its role as a base layer providing fast finality and crosschain composability, including:
• @BuildOnNodeOps: Integrated Espresso to enhance coordination across its decentralized cloud computing marketplace. The integration brings fast finality, improved security against sequencer equivocation, and enables other systems to read NodeOps’ state in near real-time - critical for streamlined infrastructure deployment and payments: https://medium.com/@espressosys/nodeops-integrates-with-espresso-bringing-fast-finality-to-its-depin-marketplace-721b8ae2f1fe
• Rufus: The @arbitrum Orbit L2 behind @DogelonMars’s metaverse integrated Espresso to support real-time transaction finality and secure crosschain composability. This allows Rufus to maintain fast sequencer speeds while gaining decentralized finality, supporting features like bridgeless NFT minting and seamless asset movement between chains: https://medium.com/@espressosys/rufus-l2-integrates-espresso-to-power-ai-enabled-metaverse-with-fast-finality-crosschain-830aaa2cac53
Integrations
@hyperbridge has integrated @0xPolygon’s mainnet into its cross-chain network after a successful testnet phase, extending verifiable interoperability across Web3: https://coindesk.com/press-release/2025/09/30/hyperbridge-a-rollup-on-polkadot-expands-verifiable-interoperability-to-polygon-mainnet
Operating as a cryptoeconomic co-processor on @Polkadot, Hyperbridge now connects Polygon with multiple major blockchains, enabling secure, trustless token transfers and messaging.
The integration strengthens Polkadot’s role as a multichain hub and expands Hyperbridge’s interoperability footprint.
Token2049
At the @token2049 hackathon in Singapore, MicroPay, built on Hyperbridge technology, won a category prize for its system enabling cross-chain micropayments between AI agents: https://blog.hyperbridge.network/at-token-2049-hyperbridge-powered-micropay-wins-the-hackathon/
Using Hyperbridge, a Polkadot-based interoperability coprocessor, MicroPay allows secure and efficient transactions across 14 blockchains.
The project highlights progress toward autonomous, machine-driven economies where AI systems can pay for services directly, reducing friction and improving cross-chain communication.
@Orbiter_Finance has announced new integrations, expanding its cross-chain bridging capabilities across emerging networks:
• @SuperseedXYZ: Integrated support for bridging ETH and USDC to Superseed - an L2 built on the Superchain, focused on innovative on-chain debt repayment models: https://x.com/Orbiter_Finance/status/1977586476453122360
• @XLayerOfficial: Enabled bridging of ETH, USDT, and USDC to X Layer through the Orbiter Finance interface: https://x.com/Orbiter_Finance/status/1976951251977093530
Expander
@PolyhedraZK shared an update this week about new progress in speeding up its Expander system with FPGA technology, including: https://x.com/PolyhedraZK/status/1976331909849637278
Details include:
• Sumcheck Integration: Completed synthesis and integration of PolyEval, Fiat-Shamir, and Receive Challenge modules, creating a unified RTL flow on FPGA.
• Performance Evaluation: Achieved around 66,700 proofs per second across four fields in single-round testing.
• Next Steps: Plan to add pipelined parallelization for multi-round execution and speed up full GKR-level proof generation.
Polyhedra i-D
The project has also made progress in Polyhedra i-D deployment and circuit design: https://x.com/PolyhedraZK/status/1976256408434938004
Details include:
• Polyhedra i-D Deployment: Deployed the Polyhedra i-D product with production keys on Sepolia and EXP chains. Tested across multiple backend setups to ensure stability and performance.
• Recursion Circuit Optimization: Added a dual transcript design - one computes the hash directly, while the other uses a GKR layer to reduce circuit size and balance complexity.
Staking
@union_build and @escher_fi have launched eU, a new liquid staking token (LST) for the Union chain: https://x.com/union_build/status/1971634751942676701
eU lets users stake U from @ethereum in one transaction, earning validator rewards while supporting network security.
Built for cross-chain use, eU moves seamlessly across EVM ecosystems, combining Ethereum liquidity with Union’s interoperability for efficient, chain-abstracted staking.
Integrations
Union announced that its network is now fully integrated with @base, enabling direct cross-chain messaging without multisigs, oracles, or external validators:https://x.com/union_build/status/1970493293290299646
The update uses optimized Base-specific state proofs for faster and more secure transactions. Built on an upgraded OP-stack light client, the integration strengthens Ethereum’s rollup roadmap and enhances multichain connectivity.
@zkLink_Official has announced two new partnerships:
• @WORLD3_AI: Integrated with zkLink’s aggregated rollup to enable AI agents to autonomously route liquidity, trade across chains, and operate within ZK-enforced guardrails - paving the way for scalable, cross-chain AI economies: https://x.com/zkLink_Official/status/1970662155197497643
• @revoxdotai: Partnered with zkLink to combine AI trading agents with its L3 zkEVM aggregation, unlocking intelligent, autonomous DeFi trading across ecosystems with improved speed and performance: https://x.com/zkLink_Official/status/1976226731297210516
