> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://qualitax.gitbook.io/interop/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://qualitax.gitbook.io/interop/bridging-approaches/bridges.md).

# Bridges

Bridges are the overall infrastructure and architecture that enables interoperability between two or more chains. i.e. bridges establish the facilities for interoperability. Bridges establish the network connections, protocols, mechanisms like hash-locking, data formats etc. to facilitate crosschainchain communication.

Bridges can provide a variety of services and infrastructure like data feeds, liquidity, etc. while connecting chains.

* Messaging bridges
* Liquidity bridges
* Custodial bridges
* Token wrappers
* Interoperability Hubs

<table><thead><tr><th width="274.3333333333333">Classification</th><th width="341">Categories</th><th>Examples</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How does the bridge work?</strong></td><td>Trustless Bridge</td><td>Locally verified, natively verified</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Trusted Bridge</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>What does the bridge connect?</strong></td><td>L1 - L1 Bridges (native)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>L1/L2 - L2 Bridges (third-party)</td><td>Across</td></tr><tr><td><strong>How does the bridge move assets?</strong></td><td>Lock and Mint</td><td>Polygon POS Bridge, Avalanche Bridge</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Burn and Mint</td><td>Circle CCTP</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Optimistic Swaps</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>What are the bridge functionalities?</strong></td><td>Wrapped Asset Bridges</td><td>wBTC, wMonero</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Liquidity Network</td><td>HOP, Connext, Catalyst</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Native Bridges</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Messaging Bridges</td><td>Celer, LayerZero, Axelar</td></tr></tbody></table>


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