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Metalayer is designed as a vertically-integrated interoperability stack that connects rollups through a three-layer architecture. Each layer serves a specific purpose in enabling seamless cross-chain interactions.

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Three-Layer System

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1. Execution Layer

The top layer handles bridge requests and routing decisions:
  • Request Processing: Parses user requirements and translates them into executable plans
  • Quote Aggregation: Simultaneously queries multiple bridge providers and execution engines
  • Route Optimization: Evaluates options based on cost, speed, security, and liquidity
  • Transaction Assembly: Constructs ready-to-sign transactions with optimal routing
  • Status Tracking: Monitors execution across all integrated providers

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2. Bridge Provider Ecosystem

The middle layer consists of different types of bridge providers that fulfill cross-chain requests:

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Intent-Based Networks

  • Eco Solver (Caldera): ETH and native token focused routes

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Intent-Based Networks (External)

  • Across Protocol: Independent intent-based protocol with UMA verification
  • Relay Protocol: Independent cross-chain infrastructure with Solana support
  • Eco Solver (Eco): Stablecoin-focused routes

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Native Bridges

  • Arbitrum Bridge: Direct L2 canonical bridge integration
  • Optimism Bridge: OP Stack canonical bridge access
  • Base Bridge: Native L2 bridge integration
  • zkSync Bridge: Zero-knowledge proof based bridge

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Specialized Bridge Providers

  • MetaToken: Caldera’s omnichain token standard with hub-spoke architecture
  • OFT: LayerZero’s omnichain token standard
  • Future Integrations: Expanding ecosystem of bridge technologies

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3. Settlement Layer (Metalayer-Powered Routes only)

The bottom layer provides secure messaging and final settlement:
  • Hyperlane Integration: Sovereign deployment of proven messaging technology
  • Custom Validators: Independent validator set for enhanced security
  • Message Verification: Cryptographic proofs ensure secure delivery
  • Cross-Chain Reads: Query state from multiple chains atomically
  • Configurable Security: Choose between fast finality and full finalization

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Data Flow

Data Flow Infographic

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Component Interactions

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Bridge Request Flow

  1. User Submits Request: Via SDK, widget, or direct API call
  2. Quote Aggregation: System queries all available bridge providers
  3. Route Optimization: Evaluates quotes by multiple criteria
  4. Execution Selection: User or system selects optimal route
  5. Transaction Signing: User signs constructed transaction
  6. Cross-Chain Execution: Provider fulfills request on destination (via competitive solvers for intent-based routes, directly for native bridges)
  7. Settlement Verification:
    • External intent protocols: Handle their own settlement
    • Metalayer-powered routes: Metalayer verifies and settles execution
    • Native bridges: Handle their own settlement

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Message Passing Flow (Metalayer-Powered Routes only)

  1. Message Dispatch: Contract calls MetalayerRouter on source chain
  2. Event Emission: Router emits cross-chain message event
  3. Validator Pickup: Hyperlane validators detect and verify event
  4. Cross-Chain Relay: Validators relay message to destination chain
  5. Delivery Execution: Destination router executes message payload
  6. Confirmation: Source chain receives confirmation of delivery

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Security Architecture

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Multi-Layer Security

  • Execution Layer: Rate limiting, quote validation, route sanity checks
  • Provider Layer: Liquidity commitments, reputation tracking, and route-level safeguards
  • Settlement Layer: Cryptographic proofs, validator consensus, finality guarantees

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Configurable Trust Models

  • Fast Finality: ~10 second latency with sequencer trust assumptions
  • Full Finalization: Wait for L2 finality with maximum security
  • Custom Security: Per-application security parameter configuration

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Economic Security

  • Provider Liquidity: Intent-based providers deploy their own capital and maintain balances across chains
  • Validator Incentives: Validators rewarded for honest behavior
  • Risk Controls: Route-level limits and monitoring mitigate malicious actions

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Deployment Architecture

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Per-Chain Deployments

Each supported chain has consistent contract deployments:
  • MetalayerRouter: Main entry point for cross-chain operations
  • Inbox Contracts: Receive and process incoming messages
  • IntentSource: Registry for user intents and execution tracking (for Metalayer-Powered intents)
  • MetaProver: Generates proofs for intent fulfillment (for Metalayer-Powered intents)

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Shared Infrastructure

  • Aggregation API: Centralized service for quote aggregation, event indexing, and status tracking
  • Eco Solver Networks:
    • Caldera-operated solver for ETH and native token routes
    • Eco-operated solver for stablecoin-focused routes
  • Validator Network: Independent Hyperlane validator set for secure message passing

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Scalability Design

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Horizontal Scaling

  • Provider Competition: Multiple entities can fulfill the same route types
  • Chain Agnostic: Add new chains without modifying existing deployments
  • Provider Integration: Easy onboarding of new bridge providers

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Performance Optimization

  • Parallel Processing: Simultaneous quote requests to all providers
  • Caching: Intelligent caching of quotes and chain state
  • Routing Heuristics: Preference scoring based on historical latency and fees (ML-driven routing is on the roadmap)

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Next Steps

Intent System

Learn about intent-based execution

Security & Economics

Security model and economic incentives

Message Passing

Understand the messaging layer