Router’s Journey of Building the Foundation of an Interoperable Ecosystem

6 min readJun 27, 2023

Reflecting on the route so far

Introduction to Router Protocol

Router Protocol is a pioneering cross-chain solution that enables secure and efficient communication between blockchain networks. Backed by prominent investors like Coinbase Ventures, QCP, De-Fi Capital, Shima Capital, Wintermute, Mapleblock, and Polygon, Router Protocol aims to increase Web3 adoption by solving security, scalability, decentralization, and cross-chain dApp challenges.

Our Gen III infrastructure, including the Router Chain, offers a modular framework for cross-blockchain interoperability, enabling Web3 projects to build customizable, interoperable dApps (IDApps). By creating a common standard platform for all blockchain ecosystems, Router Protocol is ushering in a new era of seamless blockchain communication and driving the future of decentralized applications.

How and Why It All Begun?

Imagine the web3 space as a bustling city, with countless individuals flocking to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities. However, as the number of users grew, the city’s infrastructure struggled to keep up, causing congestion and bottlenecks. To alleviate this, different types of networks, like Layer 1 and Layer 2, emerged as expressways and bypass roads, offering alternative routes for the increasing traffic.

While these new networks played a crucial role in accommodating more users and enabling smoother transactions, they divided the city into multiple districts. Each network became its own neighbourhood, with separate pools of liquidity, user communities, and activity.

Motivated by the need for a reliable and efficient communication infrastructure, our founders joined forces and laid the foundation in 2020 for what we have today. They started working towards enabling users to traverse freely between different chains and networks, just like a well-designed and efficient transportation system linking various parts of a city.

In the year 2021, the completion and release of Router v1 on Polygon’s Mumbai Testnet marked a significant milestone. To support our mission, we raised $4.2 million in a successful funding round. This round was led by prominent investors such as Coinbase Ventures and Wintermute, which fuel our efforts and provide the necessary resources to expand our reach, strengthen our technology, and bring our vision of seamless interoperability to reality.

Accelerating Interoperability in 2022

In 2022, the progress of our mission towards seamless interoperability gained significant momentum, with several key milestones and developments; let’s take a closer look at the same -

Router v1 Mainnet Goes Live

Building upon the successful release of Router v1 on the Mumbai Testnet, we took a leap forward by launching Router v1 on the Mainnet. This marked a crucial step in establishing a robust and reliable infrastructure for cross-chain communication, like opening up the main gateway of the city to connect different neighbourhoods.

Development of Cross-Chain Explorer

To enhance user experience and provide a comprehensive view of the interconnected web3 landscape, we developed a powerful Cross-Chain Explorer. This tool served as a navigational guide, allowing users to explore and monitor transactions, assets, and activities across various chains and networks.

Launch of Voyager, Router Protocol’s JS SDK, and Pathfinder API

Voyager is our cross-chain bridging decentralized application — this swapping Engine became an exemplar of the type of dApp that enabled it to be built on top of the Router. Within a month of the launch, we witnessed 500 million in transactions. Besides, With the API and Router JS SDK enabled devs to integrate the entire backend functionality of Voyager on their platform with simple integration.

Commencement of Router Chain and Architectural Reveal

With a clear vision of the future, we started the development of Router Chain, a project aimed at creating a dedicated chain for secure and efficient cross-chain communication. At ETH India, we presented an exclusive closed-group reveal of the Router’s architecture, sharing our innovative approach and garnering valuable insights from the community.

Introducing Crosstalk

In our relentless pursuit of expanding the frontiers of interoperability, we launched Crosstalk, an innovative solution for Arbitrary General Message Bridging. This breakthrough technology enabled seamless communication and data transfer between different chains for integrating cross-chain functionality into other web3 dApps. Later, we also made cross-chain NFTs a reality through CrossTalk.

Expansion through Partnerships and Community

With a relentless focus on collaboration and inclusivity, we forged over 50 strategic partnerships, forming a robust network of alliances across the web3 space. Our community also experienced remarkable growth, surpassing 40,000 members.

Expanding Reach with New Exchange Listings

In our efforts to increase accessibility and facilitate broader adoption, we secured listings on new exchanges like Huobi, Kucoin, etc. These listings acted as additional entry points into our city, making it easier for users and investors to connect with our ecosystem and benefit from the advantages of interoperability.

The year 2022 also saw the integration of Avalanche, Ethereum, Fantom, Arbitrum, Optimism, etc., blockchains into Router Protocol’s infrastructure and was marked by tremendous progress, strategic partnerships, and technological advancements, laying a strong foundation for the future.

Pink Is The New Red

In 2023, our journey towards seamless interoperability continued with more advancements and initiatives; let’s take a look -

Devnet Launch and ‘Mahadev’ Campaign

To provide developers with a dedicated environment for experimentation and testing, we launched Devnet. This developer-focused network served as a sandbox for building and refining interoperable dApps. Alongside the launch, we initiated the ‘Mahadev’ campaign, a comprehensive awareness program that aimed to empower developers, like an invitation to join an exclusive developer’s club.

Revamping Our Digital Presence

In line with our commitment to providing a user-friendly experience, we revamped our website in 2023. Our goal was to create a visually appealing and intuitive platform, and the new website design delivers the same and presents information in a clear and accessible manner. As part of our brand evolution, we decided to give our logos a fresh new look, and the new pink logos symbolises our creativity and inclusivity.

Integration of 6 Test Networks

While expanding our network compatibility, we seamlessly integrated five additional test networks. This integration broadened the scope of interoperability, connecting multiple chains, including Avalanche’s Fuji, Ethereum’s Goerli Testnet, Polygon’s Mumbai Testnet, Arbitrum’s Goerli Testnet, Mantle, and Scroll.

Testnet Mandara and IDApps

Testnet Mandara is currently open to our partners and developers who can actively engage with it. The purpose is to explore the capabilities of the Router Chain and improve the overall performance and stability of the network. It also invites developers to start their IDApp-building journey.

World’s First IDAPPathon for Devs

In an effort to foster a thriving developer community, we organized the world’s first IDAPPathon, an online hackathon tailored for Interoperable dApps. This event invited developers to build their first-ever Interoperable dApp (IDApp) with Router to win from a prize pool of $15,000 and individual projects to receive up to $5,000.

Launch of TExchange, and Ping Pong IDApp

To showcase the capabilities and versatility of Router Chain, we launched Disperse, TExchange, and Ping Pong IDApp on our Testnet Mandara. These innovative applications demonstrate the seamless interoperability facilitated by Router, enabling users to seamlessly transfer assets, send messages, and explore new possibilities.

Concluding with a Way for an Interoperable Future!

In conclusion, we will be continuing with our progress towards our mission of seamless interoperability. We will soon introduce an engaging experience with the Gamified Testnet Mandara for developers, validators, and the community, along with launching new cross-chain products or IDApps. We will also be focusing on the upgradation of our earlier products while also exploring integrations with non-EVM chains and diligently optimizing and improving our infrastructure. With an unwavering commitment to empowering developers and enhancing user experiences, we are here to shape the future of web3 interoperability.

Our detailed roadmap will be released post the launch of our Gamifified Tesnet Mandara. Stay tuned for more updates, and keep us close at hand by following us on your preferred social media platform!