Decentralized exchange (DEX) PancakeSwap has launched one-click crosschain swaps using Across Protocol, aiming to address one of the most pressing user experience (UX) issues in decentralized finance (DeFi).
The integration allows users to swap assets without using complex blockchain bridges or other external third-party infrastructure that complicate the user experience and incur additional fees.
Across’s intent-based transfers allow users to simply define their desired outcome, such as swapping USDC (USDC) on Base for Wrapped Ether (WETH) on Arbitrum, and a network of relayers competes to fulfill the transaction.
One-click crosschain swaps enable token swaps directly through PancakeSwap’s interface among BNB Chain, Arbitrum and Base, simplifying token transfers across siloed blockchain networks.
Historically, crosschain activity has relied on blockchain bridges, which have proven to be vulnerable
In 2022, Axie Infinity’s Ronin Bridge was drained for more than $600 million worth of cryptocurrency in one of the largest crypto exploits in history. The hack targeted a private key multisignature scheme, a security measure that ultimately proved inadequate.
“Crosschain swaps using intent-based bridges are generally safer because they don’t lock your assets in a contract, which reduces the risk of exploits,” said Chef Kids, the head chef at PancakeSwap.
“Instead, swaps are settled in real time through a decentralized network of relayers. This setup improves security and gives users a smoother, faster experience,” he added.
Related: Here’s why crosschain infrastructure is DeFi’s missing layer
Institutions see potential in simplified DeFi
Intent-based crosschain swaps will make DeFi infrastructure safer, faster and easier to integrate with existing systems. This could unlock the next wave of institutional DeFi adoption, Chef Kids told Cointelegraph, adding:
“Crosschain swaps reduce operational complexity, lower smart contract risk by avoiding asset lockups, and offer clearer execution paths.”
Hart Lambur, co-founder of Across, also sees intent-based blockchain infrastructure as the “key to onboarding institutions” and retail.
“It delivers security, auditability and clean execution without the operational overhead that’s typically required to interact across chains,” he told Cointelegraph.
Other protocols have also been working on crosschain transfer solutions to remove the friction associated with blockchain bridges.
In October 2024, Unichain proposed ERC-7683, a standard that streamlines crosschain transactions by formalizing how information is sent across different networks. This allows a decentralized network of solvers to pick up orders from any protocol.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expressed his support for ERC-7683, calling it “an open standard for marking crosschain orders.”
Across, which is also integrated with UniswapX, has a decentralized network of 30 solvers who quickly fill the user with their own funds on the destination chain and take on the finality risk. Swaps take an average of three seconds.
Elsewhere, DEX aggregator 1inch deployed its Pathfinder update on June 10, claiming to offer 6.5% better swap rates while making transactions faster and more seamless.
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