What is Across Protocol Token (ACX)?

Quick Facts

  • Token name: ACX (Across Protocol Token)
  • Token type: ERC-20 governance token
  • Protocol: Across — a cross-chain bridge for Ethereum and Layer-2 networks
  • Secured by: UMA's optimistic oracle
  • Architecture: Intent-based, competitive relayer model
  • Founded by: Risk Labs, the team behind UMA Protocol
  • Launched: 2021

Introduction

ACX is the native governance token of Across Protocol, a decentralized cross-chain bridge designed to move assets quickly and securely between Ethereum and Layer-2 networks. The token gives holders direct influence over protocol decisions and treasury management through the Across DAO.

History & Background

Across Protocol was founded in 2021 by Risk Labs, the same team that created the UMA optimistic oracle. The project was built to address one of DeFi's biggest pain points: slow, expensive, and fragmented cross-chain bridging. ACX launched alongside the Across DAO, immediately granting governance power to token holders from day one.

How Across Protocol Token Works

Across uses an intent-based architecture. Rather than executing complex blockchain transactions themselves, users simply declare their desired outcome — for example, receiving a specific token on a destination chain. A decentralized network of relayers (also called solvers) then competes to fulfill that request as efficiently as possible.

All transfers are secured by UMA's optimistic oracle, which verifies transactions and enables near-instant finality for users while settling on-chain asynchronously. A single-sided liquidity pool on Ethereum mainnet backs relayer funds, and a no-slippage fee model keeps costs predictable.

Tokenomics

ACX serves as both a governance and incentive token. Liquidity providers and relayers earn ACX rewards for actively participating in the protocol, aligning their interests with long-term protocol health. Token holders can stake ACX to participate in governance votes and earn a share of protocol fees generated from bridge transactions.

The DAO treasury holds a significant portion of tokens, controlled directly by ACX holders through on-chain votes. Team allocations follow four-year vesting agreements, reinforcing long-term commitment.

Circulating supply ? 502.69 million ACX
Reserved supply ? 497.31 million ACX
Burned
0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000001
0 ACX
DAO
0xB524735356985D2f267FA010D681f061DfF03715
230.90 million ACX
TREASURY
0x8180d59b7175d4064bdfa8138a58e9babffda44a
266.41 million ACX
VESTING
0x2520Aea979c57ae621C546A950f56D5B607DC2A1
1 ACX
Total supply ? 1.00 billion ACX
Max supply ? -- ACX
Updated 2d ago

Ecosystem & Use Cases

ACX powers the governance layer of Across, supporting bridging across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and other EVM-compatible chains. Key use cases include:

  • Governance voting on protocol parameters and treasury allocation
  • Staking to earn a share of bridge fees
  • Liquidity mining rewards for providers who supply assets to the bridge pool
  • Relayer incentives to attract competitive solvers

Team, Governance & Community

Across Protocol was built and is supported by Risk Labs, a foundation with deep expertise in DeFi and decentralized dispute resolution. Governance operates through the Across DAO, where ACX holders vote on proposals via Snapshot. The protocol has an active community on Discord and Twitter, engaging in open discussions around protocol upgrades and treasury decisions.

Advantages

  • Speed: Relayers front liquidity, enabling transfers in minutes rather than hours
  • Capital efficiency: A single shared liquidity pool eliminates fragmented liquidity across chains
  • Security: UMA's battle-tested optimistic oracle backs every transfer
  • No slippage: A fixed fee model makes bridging costs transparent and predictable
  • Decentralized governance: ACX holders control protocol direction through the DAO

Risks & Challenges

  • Smart contract risk: Cross-chain bridges are high-value targets for exploits
  • Relayer dependency: Protocol speed relies on an active and competitive relayer network
  • Governance centralization risk: Large token holders can disproportionately influence votes
  • Regulatory uncertainty: Ongoing shifts in DeFi regulation could affect protocol operations
  • Competitive landscape: The cross-chain bridging space is highly competitive with many alternatives

Long-Term Vision

Across Protocol aims to become the standard cross-chain infrastructure layer for the Ethereum ecosystem and beyond. The intent-based model positions it well for a future where users interact with multiple chains without needing to understand the underlying complexity. As more networks and rollups emerge, Across is designed to scale its relayer network and liquidity model to meet growing interoperability demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

ACX is the governance token of Across Protocol. Holders use it to vote on protocol decisions, stake to earn bridge fees, and receive rewards for providing liquidity or running relayers.

Across Protocol is a decentralized cross-chain bridge that enables fast, low-cost asset transfers between Ethereum and Layer-2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism. It uses an intent-based architecture secured by UMA's optimistic oracle.

Across Protocol was built by Risk Labs, the same foundation behind the UMA optimistic oracle. The project launched in 2021 with Hart Lambur as a key figure.

Users declare the outcome they want (an intent), and a network of competitive relayers fulfills the transfer by fronting liquidity. UMA's optimistic oracle then verifies and settles the transaction on-chain.

Across uses a single shared liquidity pool on Ethereum mainnet and a no-slippage fee model, which improves capital efficiency. Its intent-based relayer competition also enables faster transfers than many traditional bridges.

Yes. ACX holders can stake their tokens to participate in governance voting and earn a portion of the protocol fees generated from bridge transactions.

Yes. ACX is deployed on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, and BNB Smart Chain, making it accessible across multiple ecosystems.

The Across DAO is the decentralized governance body for the protocol. ACX holders vote on proposals that affect protocol parameters, fee structures, and treasury management.