Introduction

A high-level introduction to Nomad

Introducing: Nomad

Nomad is an optimistic interoperability protocol that enables secure cross-chain communication.

Using Nomad:

• Users can bridge tokens between chains

• Asset issuers can deploy tokens across chains

• DAOs can facilitate the execution of cross-chain governance proposals

• Developers can build native cross-chain applications (xApps)

The goal of Nomad is to provide the connective tissue to enable users and developers to interact securely in a multi-chain world.

How does Nomad work?

Nomad enables applications to send data between blockchains (including rollups). Applications interact with Nomad core contracts to enqueue messages to be sent, after which off-chain agents verify and ferry these messages between chains.

In order to ensure that message-passing is secure, Nomad uses an optimistic verification mechanism, inspired by fraud-proof based designs like optimistic rollups. This makes Nomad more secure, cheaper, and easier to deploy compared to validator / proof-of-stake based interoperability protocols.

Our friends at Connext have written a fantastic article on optimistic bridging, and why Nomad's optimistic bridging ushers in a new paradigm for cross-chain communication.

To learn more about how Nomad works, including advanced concepts, check out the Protocol Section.