The Problem
Traditional tokens face critical limitations in a multichain world:- Asset Isolation: Tokens trapped on their origin chains
- Fragmented Liquidity: Multiple wrapped versions across different networks
- Complex Deployments: Expensive and time-consuming multi-chain launches
- Poor UX: Users confused by different token addresses on each chain
- Security Risks: Third-party bridges controlling token movement
How It Works
Hub-Spoke Architecture
Metatoken uses a Hub-Spoke model with specialized contracts:- MetaERC20Hub: Deployed on the token’s home chain, locks/unlocks canonical tokens
- MetaERC20Spoke: Deployed on remote chains, mints/burns synthetic tokens
- Security Threshold Routing: High-value spoke-to-spoke transfers routed through hub for validation
Transfer Flows
- Hub → Spoke: Lock canonical tokens on hub, mint synthetic tokens on spoke
- Spoke → Hub: Burn synthetic tokens on spoke, unlock canonical tokens on hub
- Spoke → Spoke (Low Value): Direct burn and mint between spokes
- Spoke → Spoke (High Value): Routed through hub with validator approval for security
Key Benefits
- Unified Supply: Single global token supply, no wrapped token confusion
- Capital Efficient: No liquidity pools or slippage, always 1:1 exchange
- Deterministic Addresses: Same contract address on every chain
- Security Controls: Configurable thresholds and validator approval for high-value transfers
- Emergency Recovery: Admin functions for handling stuck transfers while maintaining conservation of funds
- Cost-Effective: Included with Caldera rollup deployments