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Axelar
Proof-of-stake cross-chain messaging protocol connecting over 80 blockchains
3.9/ 5
Our score
Good
Design
Messaging protocol
Chains supported
80
Security model
Proof-of-stake validator set
Audited
Yes
What is Axelar?
Axelar is an interoperability network that delivers general message passing and asset transfers across disparate blockchain ecosystems. Operating as an independent Proof-of-Stake Layer 1 chain powered by CometBFT consensus, the network coordinates cross-chain communication between more than 80 connected blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Cosmos hubs. Locked value on the protocol stood at $146M in October 2026.
Founders and institutional backing
Co-founded in June 2020 by Sergey Gorbunov and Georgios Vlachos, both former founding team members at Algorand, Axelar was initially developed by Interop Labs. Gorbunov previously served as Algorand's Chief Cryptographer and holds a Ph.D. from MIT, having also founded Stealthmine in 2015. The project has raised over $113 million across multiple rounds, including a $25 million Series A led by Polychain Capital in July 2021 and a $35 million Series B in February 2022 that valued the company at $1 billion, drawing backing from Dragonfly Capital, North Island Ventures, and Rockaway Blockchain Fund.
Core architecture and mechanics
Unlike bridges relying on centralized multi-signature federations, Axelar relies on a decentralized set of more than 75 PoS validators to verify and route state transitions across external blockchains. The network facilitates arbitrary execution through General Message Passing (GMP), while the Interchain Token Service (ITS) lets projects deploy and manage tokens across multiple environments without fragmented liquidity. In May 2026, the project launched its direct user web portal at app.axelar.network, while Fullport provides institutional liquidity routing.
Network milestones and track record
Since its testnet rollouts and mainnet launch, Axelar has broadened its ecosystem to more than 300 partners. The team added integrations with the Stellar network in February 2026 and finalized Solana mainnet support in June 2026. The project maintains audit materials in a public repository, and the protocol has operated without a validator-level consensus exploit to date. In December 2025, Interop Labs agreed to transition its core team and proprietary intellectual property to Circle.
Risks and structural trade-offs
Axelar relies on its proof-of-stake economic security, meaning the safety of routed assets depends directly on honest behavior and quorum thresholds within the active validator set. In the event of extreme market volatility or network halts on connected third-party chains, users face potential transfer delays, bridge execution timeouts, or wrapped-asset depeg risks depending on the specific token bridge standard deployed.
Founders
Sergey GorbunovCo-Founder & CEO
Former founding team member and Chief Cryptographer at Algorand with an MIT Ph.D.
Georgios VlachosCo-Founder
Former founding team member at Algorand specializing in distributed consensus.
Best for:Developers deploying multichain smart contractsUsers bridging between EVM and CosmosInstitutions routing liquidity to onchain venues
Pros and cons
Pros
- Connects more than 80 blockchains across EVM, Cosmos, and Solana ecosystems
- Secured by a decentralized set of over 75 proof-of-stake validators
- No recorded validator-set or bridge consensus security exploits
- Supports generic cross-chain contract messaging alongside token transfers
Cons
- Security depends on the economic bonding and validator quorum of the AXL chain
- Outages on connected external chains can delay or pause transfer execution
Our review
3.9/5
Good
Axelar provides broad connectivity across over 80 blockchains backed by a decentralized validator network, but users depend on its proof-of-stake validator set for cross-chain security.
Axelar is a dedicated proof-of-stake Layer 1 blockchain built with CometBFT consensus to facilitate cross-chain communication and asset transfers. It routes transactions through a network of more than 75 validators. The platform connects over 80 blockchains, spanning EVM environments like Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum, as well as non-EVM ecosystems including Cosmos Hub, Solana, Stellar, and XRP Ledger. TVL stood at approximately $146.4M in October 2026.
Through its General Message Passing and the Interchain Token Service, developers can deploy cross-chain tokens and execute smart contract logic across disparate execution environments. The dedicated web portal at app.axelar.network supports direct token transfers. In addition, the network has sustained zero documented exploits across its core bridge infrastructure since launching.
However, the model carries distinct trade-offs:
- Security depends on the economic incentives and honest majority of Axelar's validator set.
- Cross-chain settlement times depend on the origin chain and Axelar validator consensus.
Interop Labs, the team behind Axelar, was founded in 2020 by former Algorand founding members Sergey Gorbunov and Georgios Vlachos, raising capital from backers including Polychain Capital and Dragonfly Capital. In late 2025, Interop Labs agreed to join Circle. Axelar suits developers requiring cross-chain contract execution and users moving assets between EVM, Solana, and Cosmos networks.
Specs
| KYC required ⓘ | No · unverified |
|---|---|
| Design | Messaging protocol |
| Chains | Ethereum, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon, Avalanche, Cosmos, Other |
| Chains supported | 80 · unverified |
| Security model | Proof-of-stake validator set |
| Audited | Yes |
| Token | AXL |
| Native token transfers (no wrapped tokens) | Yes · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Typical fee, Typical transfer time, Intent-based, Max transfer.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
General message passing
Routes arbitrary data, function calls, and smart contract payloads across more than 80 connected blockchains.
Interchain token service
Deploys and manages fungible tokens across multiple chains with custom minting rules.
Proof-of-stake validator network
Secures cross-chain consensus through a set of over 75 independent validators running CometBFT consensus.
Direct web transfers
Provides an interface at app.axelar.network for direct cross-chain asset transfers.
Fullport institutional routing
Enables institutional trading liquidity routing directly into onchain trading venues, starting with Hyperliquid.
Inside Axelar
Interchain Token Service (ITS)
ITS lets developers deploy and manage cross-chain tokens across more than 80 blockchains with custom minting rules and automated liquidity routing.
Axelar App
The web interface at app.axelar.network enables users to move tokens directly between supported EVM, Cosmos, and other connected blockchains.
Fullport
Fullport provides institutional routing for onchain trading liquidity across venues, starting with Hyperliquid.
Interchain Amplifier
Interchain Amplifier provides developer routing infrastructure and tooling to connect new blockchains to the Axelar ecosystem.
Axelar screenshots
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Axelar? Share your experience below.
Funding and investors
$143.8MTotal raised
5Rounds
37Investors
-
Private token sale Mar 2025 $30M
-
Series B Feb 2022 $35M
Blockchange VenturesVenture capital
CC Cygni CapitalVenture capital
DR DragonflyVenture capital
GR Gokul RajaramVenture capital
LE LemniscapVenture capital
NC Node CapitalVenture capital
NI North Island VenturesVenture capital
OT Olive Tree CapitalVenture capital
PC Polychain CapitalHedge fund
RB Rockaway Blockchain FundVenture capital
WL Waikit LauVenture capital
-
Series A Jul 2021 $25MPC Polychain CapitalHedge fund Lead CO Collab+CurrencyVenture capital CC Cygni CapitalVenture capital DV Divergence VenturesVenture capital DK Do KwonAngel investor DR DragonflyVenture capital GD Galaxy DigitalCorporate VC GT GoldenCoin TSVenture capital HW Happy WaltersVenture capital HY HypersphereVenture capital LE LemniscapVenture capital MV Morningstar VenturesVenture capital NC Nima CapitalOther NI North Island VenturesVenture capital
Robot VenturesVenture capital
S1 SCB 10XVenture capital
WL Waikit LauVenture capital
ZG Zola Global InvestorsVenture capital
-
Seed Nov 2020 $3.8MBX Binance XVenture capital
Coinbase VenturesExchange ventures arm
CF Collaborative FundVenture capital
CC Cygni CapitalVenture capital
DC DCVCVenture capital
DV Divergence VenturesVenture capital
JH Jack HerrickAngel investor
LE LemniscapVenture capital
NR Naval RavikantAngel investor
NI North Island VenturesVenture capital
WL Waikit LauVenture capital
-
Funding round Amount undisclosed
FAQ
Who founded Axelar?
Axelar was co-founded in June 2020 by Sergey Gorbunov and Georgios Vlachos, both former founding team members at Algorand.
How does Axelar secure cross-chain transfers?
Axelar relies on a dedicated Proof-of-Stake blockchain secured by more than 75 independent validators using CometBFT consensus to verify and route cross-chain messages and token transfers.
Which blockchains does Axelar support?
Axelar connects over 80 chains, including Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, Stellar, and Cosmos chains.
Does Axelar require KYC?
No, using Axelar through its web interface or integrating with its onchain smart contracts does not require KYC identification.
Does Axelar have its own token?
Yes, Axelar uses the native network token AXL to secure its Proof-of-Stake consensus.
Has Axelar ever been hacked?
No, Axelar has reported zero exploits on its core cross-chain messaging and bridge infrastructure.
Latest from Axelar on X
Wherever you want to go, Axelar gets you there.
✅ 20+ networks
✅ EVM and non-EVM chains
✅ Bridging and swapping
✅ Battle-tested infrastructure
Now open to everyone. Explore cross-chain transfers at https://t.co/BRxKMQOcUj https://t.co/pF2ZQI561l
✅ 20+ networks
✅ EVM and non-EVM chains
✅ Bridging and swapping
✅ Battle-tested infrastructure
Now open to everyone. Explore cross-chain transfers at https://t.co/BRxKMQOcUj https://t.co/pF2ZQI561l
Members of our team will be attending @RippleSwell to meet with institutions and partners. If you would like to connect, our DMs are open.
See you in New York.
See you in New York.
The infrastructure behind cross-chain apps, now open to everyone.
https://t.co/BRxKMQOcUj https://t.co/N0nUHtMnEE
https://t.co/BRxKMQOcUj https://t.co/N0nUHtMnEE
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Recent public posts from @axelar, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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