The decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and one project making significant strides in cross-chain interoperability is Across Protocol. In a major development, the protocol has successfully raised $41 million in a token sale led by Paradigm, one of the most influential research-driven crypto investment firms in the industry. This funding round not only underscores strong institutional confidence but also accelerates Across’s mission to unify Ethereum’s increasingly fragmented ecosystem through innovative intent-based solutions and widespread adoption of the ERC-7683 standard.
A Strategic Funding Round Led by Industry Giants
The $41 million capital injection was spearheaded by Paradigm, known for backing foundational Web3 infrastructure projects. This strategic move positions Across as a key player in shaping the future of Ethereum interoperability. The round attracted participation from other prominent investors, including:
- Bain Capital Crypto, a major supporter of open internet infrastructure
- Coinbase Ventures, the venture arm investing in early-stage blockchain innovations
- Multicoin Capital, a leading crypto-native investment firm
- Notable angel investor Sina Habinian
According to Hart Lambur, co-founder of Risk Labs—the foundation behind both Across and UMA protocols—the funding was secured in two phases: the first in Q2 2024 and the second in Q4 2024. While specific token pricing and valuation details remain undisclosed, this latest round brings Across’s total funding to **$51 million**, building on its previous $10 million raise in November 2022, which valued the project at $200 million.
Transparent Vesting Structure Builds Long-Term Trust
Transparency is a cornerstone of sustainable tokenomics, and Across has set a strong precedent with its clearly defined vesting schedule:
- Seed investors begin unlocking tokens in June 2025
- Multiple one-year cliff unlocks will occur progressively through November 2025
- The Risk Labs team’s tokens will vest monthly until December 2027
This structured approach ensures long-term alignment between stakeholders and discourages short-term speculation, reinforcing confidence among users and developers alike.
The initial token generation event (TGE) for ACX took place on November 28, 2022, as confirmed in official project communications, laying the groundwork for a community-governed and developer-focused ecosystem.
What Is Across Protocol? Rethinking Cross-Chain Interoperability
At its core, Across Protocol is an intent-based cross-chain interoperability solution designed to simplify how users interact with multiple Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) networks. Instead of manually navigating complex bridging processes, users can initiate cross-chain actions—such as swapping tokens or depositing assets—with a single request.
Behind the scenes, Across handles:
- Secure asset transfers across chains
- Automated smart contract interactions
- Efficient routing via shared relayer infrastructure
This abstraction layer makes cross-chain activity seamless, fast, and secure—critical factors for mainstream adoption.
Solving Ethereum’s Fragmentation Problem
Hart Lambur has been vocal about one of Ethereum’s biggest challenges: fragmentation. As more L2s like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Polygon emerge to scale the network, users are forced to manage multiple chains, wallets, and bridges—a fragmented experience that hinders growth.
“The next billion users will need a fast, seamless way to move between chains almost instantly,” said Lambur. “Ethereum must feel like a unified network, regardless of how many underlying chains exist.”
Across aims to deliver exactly that: an experience where users don’t need to know which chain they're on—just what they want to do.
Unlike traditional bridges that rely on locking and minting mechanisms prone to delays and security risks, Across leverages real-time liquidity and intent-centric execution. Most L2-to-L2 transfers are completed in under 5 seconds, setting a new benchmark for speed and reliability in cross-chain operations.
Driving Adoption of the ERC-7683 Standard
One of Across’s most impactful contributions to the Web3 space is its collaboration with Uniswap Labs to co-develop ERC-7683, a new cross-chain standard designed specifically for Ethereum’s multi-L2 future.
ERC-7683 enables decentralized applications (dApps) to bundle complex, multi-step cross-chain transactions into a single user request. These requests are then executed by a decentralized network of relayers—like Across—ensuring speed, security, and simplicity.
Why ERC-7683 Matters
Before ERC-7683, developers had to build custom bridging logic for each chain integration—a time-consuming and error-prone process. With this new standard:
- Developers gain a universal interface for cross-chain actions
- Users benefit from one-click multi-chain experiences
- Protocols reduce operational overhead and improve UX consistency
As of early 2025, over 50 major protocols have adopted or signaled support for ERC-7683, including:
- Arbitrum
- Base
- Polygon
- Optimism
This growing adoption signals a shift toward standardized interoperability—an essential step for Ethereum to scale globally.
Real-World Integration: Across Powers Unichain Transfers
A concrete example of Across’s utility emerged on February 11, 2025, when it integrated with Unichain, Coinbase’s ambitious unified L2 network. This integration allows users to move assets to Unichain in seconds—for just a few cents—via Across or any dApp using its protocol.
In a March 3 announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Across highlighted that developers can now embed seamless Unichain access directly into their apps, enabling frictionless onboarding for new users.
This real-world application demonstrates how Across isn’t just theoretical—it’s actively powering the infrastructure that connects Ethereum’s expanding universe of L2s.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the purpose of Across Protocol?
A: Across Protocol is an intent-based interoperability solution that enables fast, secure, and low-cost cross-chain transactions across Ethereum L2 networks, aiming to unify the fragmented Ethereum ecosystem.
Q: Who led Across’s $41 million funding round?
A: The round was led by Paradigm, with participation from Bain Capital Crypto, Coinbase Ventures, Multicoin Capital, and angel investor Sina Habinian.
Q: What is ERC-7683 and why is it important?
A: ERC-7683 is a cross-chain standard co-developed by Across and Uniswap Labs that allows dApps to bundle multi-step cross-chain actions into a single request. It simplifies development and improves user experience across Ethereum L2s.
Q: How fast are Across’s cross-chain transfers?
A: Most L2-to-L2 transfers via Across are completed in under 5 seconds, making it one of the fastest interoperability solutions available.
Q: When will ACX tokens fully vest?
A: The Risk Labs team tokens vest monthly until December 2027. Seed investor unlocks begin in June 2025, with additional cliff unlocks through November 2025.
Q: Can developers integrate Across into their dApps?
A: Yes. Developers can embed Across’s SDK to enable seamless cross-chain functionality within their applications, supporting faster onboarding and improved UX.
👉 Get early access to tools powering the next generation of cross-chain DeFi applications.
With strong backing from top-tier investors, technical innovation through ERC-7683, and real-world integrations like Unichain support, Across Protocol is emerging as a foundational layer for Ethereum’s unified future. As the ecosystem continues to expand across multiple L2s, protocols like Across will play a critical role in ensuring that scalability doesn’t come at the cost of usability.
By focusing on speed, security, and standardization, Across isn’t just bridging chains—it’s redefining how users and developers experience Ethereum as a single, cohesive network.