ERC-7802 is a minimal interface standard that enables tokens to communicate across different blockchains through standardized mint and burn functions, allowing any bridge protocol to facilitate cross-chain transfers without modifying token contracts.
How ERC-7802 Solves Cross-Chain Fragmentation
Cross-chain token transfers have historically suffered from interface fragmentation, with each bridge implementing different standards for minting and burning tokens on non-native chains. ERC-7802 introduces a minimal interface for tokens to communicate cross-chain, allowing bridges with mint and burn rights to send and relay token transfers with a standardized API.
The standard defines two core functions: crosschainMint for creating tokens on destination chains and crosschainBurn for destroying tokens during cross-chain transfers. Unlike local minting and burning, cross-chain operations maintain constant total supply across all networks since tokens are transferred rather than created or destroyed.
Bridge-Agnostic Architecture
The design principle behind ERC-7802 emphasizes "bridge agnosticism" - separating token contracts from specific cross-chain bridging technologies. This modular approach transfers complexity to bridge protocols while keeping token implementations simple and focused on core functionality.
For platforms building cross-chain stablecoin infrastructure, this separation of concerns enables more flexible integration strategies. Token issuers can grant access to multiple bridge systems without restructuring their core contracts, supporting diverse cross-chain use cases.
Technical Implementation
ERC-7802 extends existing ERC-20 tokens with two additional functions and corresponding events. The standard includes ERC-165 interface detection, allowing contracts to programmatically verify full ERC-7802 compliance before initiating cross-chain operations.
The interface is deliberately designed to be minimal and extensible, allowing additional features such as rate limits or transfer fees to be easily layered on top without modifying the base specification. This flexibility supports various bridge designs while maintaining interoperability.
Industry Adoption and Impact
Proposed jointly by the Optimism and Uniswap teams, ERC-7802 addresses the critical needs of DEXs and Layer 2 solutions that require standardized cross-chain operations. The standard supports chain abstraction goals by providing a foundation for seamless asset movement across different networks.
For projects building one-click cross-chain experiences, ERC-7802 provides the token-level infrastructure necessary to enable seamless transfers. Combined with intent-based systems, this creates opportunities for more intuitive stablecoin experiences across multiple chains.
The standard's backwards compatibility with ERC-20 ensures existing tokens can adopt cross-chain capabilities through upgrades or migration strategies, accelerating ecosystem-wide interoperability improvements.