FAQs

Let's have a look at common questions and their answers.

General

What is Connext?

Connext is a tool to build cross chain apps, like bridges and other permissionless applications. Connext currently connects more than 11 chains - you can try the flagship bridge here: https://bridge.connext.network.

For a more detailed explanation of Connext, have a look here:

Does Connext have a token?

Please see https://blog.connext.network/whats-next-d3044de49397 and Next Token for information about the NEXT token.

Is Connext an exchange (or other dApp)?

No. Connext is a protocol made up of many independent liquidity/infrastructure providers (called routers) that enables communication between chains. Developers can build natively cross-chain applications like DEXs on top of Connext.

Does Connext have access to my funds?

No. Neither the Connext founding team, nor any routers running Connext's protocols have any form of access to your funds. Because of how Connext is designed, the security of the system is the same as the security of the underlying blockchain – even if every single router in our network were to collude with each other, there would be no way for them to access your funds.

Are there any fees to use Connext?

Fees are charged by routers within the network when users send transactions. The Connext team is only a protocol implementer and so does not charge any fees.

Currently, all fees associated with executing a crosschain transaction are levied as follows:

Router Fee: This is the fee taken by router operators for facilitating the transaction. It is designed to be enough to cover the gas costs of the router and give an incentive (currently 0.05% of transaction size) for providing the liquidity. The fee is charged by taking the difference between what the user deposits on the sending chain, and what the router provides on the destination chain.

Sending Chain Fee: This is the transaction fee on the sending chain for initiating a crosschain transaction. It is configured by the dapp and the user's wallet provider and charged in the native asset of the origin chain.

Receiving Chain Fee: This is paid depending on how the transaction is sent. If a user sends it themselves, then the costs are in the native asset of the receiving chain (the gas fee associated with any onchain transaction). If the transaction is sent via relayers, then the cost comes out of the asset you receive (i.e. the USDC relayer fee is deducted from the amount the router put up for you on the destination chain).

Is Connext audited?

Yes! You can see the audits at https://audits.connext.network.

How does Connext work?

Check out the How it Works and Security Model sections!

How does Connext compare to XYZ interoperability solution?

Check out the Connext vs XYZ section!

Why is Connext an authority on L2s and interoperability?

Connext was started in 2017, and have been a core part of the L2 research community since we built the first general-purpose L2 payment system in 2018. Our work on state channel systems has led us to think deeply about how users can seamlessly transfer funds between rollups, and we believe that the current iteration of Connext presents the best set of tradeoffs for enabling interactions between rollups.

Is Connext live on mainnet?

Yes! You can see the live status of the network on the community-built Connext Explorer.

Where can I try Connext?

There are a number of projects and protocols building on top of Connext. Have a look at Connext Bridge, a simple UI for bridging across chains.

Who backs Connext?

You can see all investors and backers here: https://blog.connext.network/building-a-great-ecosystem-6cae06270cd0 

Routers

How can i become a Router? What are the requirements?

Routers at the current phase are whitelisted, which means you will need approval from the team. Base capital requirement is at least 500k USD in one of the supported assets. Head over to the Discord channel #ask-us-anything saying you're interested in becoming a Router and a team member will contact you.

Bridge FAQs

My funds are stuck! Where can I get support?

Do not worry, your funds are safe. See the support document: https://www.notion.so/connext/Connext-NXTP-Support-19a357ebabdd4e888cfcd138fe3e4644

Why is there no liquidity? When will it be added?

The Network works with liquidity pools on different chains. Sometimes those pools get drained: come back later and you should find the necessary liquidity to bridge.

Can I provide liquidity to Connext?

At the moment, there is no trustless way to passively add liquidity to the system. However, it is possible for users to provide liquidity by running their own routers in our network. https://connext.network/routers

Does Connext have a Grants program? How can I apply for it?

Yes! You can send your application on https://grants.connext.network/