Bridges

Bridges are a common name for software systems that perform asset transfer interoperability functionality between
DLT networks. Usually, a bridge transfers assets from a single origin DLT network to a single destination DLT network.

Overledger's Bridge flow allows users to easily configure and deploy smart token bridges, between two DLT networks, as a service.

Overledger bridges are compliant with the developing Secure Asset Transfer Protocol to ensure the safe transfer of assets between networks.

The Secure Asset Transfer Protocol (SATP)

The Secure Asset Transfer Protocol is a new bridge protocol being developed through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

This protocol aims to provide a reliable, efficient, and secure solution for users to move assets across networks, enabling greater interoperability and liquidity in the blockchain-based finance ecosystem.

A key design principle underlying SATP is the assumption that many blockchain systems in the future will be
private permissioned (closed) in the sense that the ledger is accessible (read/write) to authorised entities only.

The notion of a closed blockchain system reflects not only the current closed IT infrastructures found in most financial institutions, but it also reflects the basic human social behaviour of trading within communities.

The draft version of SATP states that bridges established through SATP must contain two gateway
applications: the origin gateway and the destination gateway. These gateways are connected to one network each, the origin and destination DLT network respectively. Each gateway orchestrates the bridge on its side of the operation. SATP bridges are unique in the fact that different organisations can run each gateway side of the bridge, allowing SATP bridges to maintain complex privacy and data access requirements.