An intent-based bridge lets you state the result you want, for example “1,000 USDC on Base”, instead of the steps to get there. A third party called a solver (or relayer or filler) delivers the funds from its own capital on the destination chain within seconds, and is repaid later from your deposit on the source chain. Across, Relay, Mayan Swift and deBridge (DLN) work this way. In our live check of 30 routes on October 22, 2026, intent-based routes delivered 1,000 USDC in 2 to 7 seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Intent: you sign the outcome, solvers compete to fill it.
- Speed: seconds, because the solver takes the finality wait.
- Cost: a small premium over slow routes like standard CCTP.
- Standard: ERC-7683 defines a common format for cross-chain intents.
How It Works
- You sign an intent on the source chain and deposit tokens into the bridge contract.
- A solver fills it: it sends the requested tokens to your address on the destination chain from its own balance.
- Settlement: after the source deposit is final, the protocol verifies the fill and repays the solver from your deposit.
You see step 2 only; steps 1 and 3 run in the background. That is the difference from lock-and-mint or burn-and-mint bridges, where your funds are released only after the message between chains is confirmed.
Intent-Based vs Classic Bridges
| Intent-based | Classic (lock or burn and mint) | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Across, Relay, Mayan Swift, deBridge DLN | Standard Circle CCTP, canonical rollup bridges |
| Time in our check | 2 to 7 seconds | about 18 minutes (standard CCTP) |
| Who waits for finality | the solver | you |
| Price | small premium | usually cheapest |
| Limit | solver liquidity | protocol limits |
Canonical rollup bridges back to Ethereum can take much longer than CCTP; see how long bridging takes.
Risks
- Smart contract risk of the bridge contracts, as with any bridge; see crypto bridge safety.
- Liquidity: very large transfers may not find a solver at a good price.
- Your funds are not with the solver: if no one fills the intent, it typically expires and the deposit is refunded.
When to Use One
Choose an intent-based route when time matters or the amount is small enough that the premium is cents. For large, non-urgent transfers, the cheapest route may be worth the wait. Aggregators such as LI.FI, which powers the Step Exchange widget, show both options side by side with time and amount received; see crypto bridge fees.
Related: cross-chain bridge, bridged vs native USDC.
