XPort

XPort is Wanchain’s cross-chain data transfer protocol. It enables arbitrary data to be passed from one blockchain to another. It is composed of two basic elements: a robust off-chain relayer and a set of rudimentary on-chain smart contracts called Cross-Chain Gateways that send and receive data.

The off-chain relayer is the same Bridge Node Group that secures all cross-chain transactions executed using the Wanchain Bridge. These permissionless Bridge Nodes are rotated and re-elected monthly. They use Multiparty Computation and Shamir’s Secret Sharing cryptography to transfer messages and arbitrary data across chains.

The Cross-Chain Gateways are a set of smart contracts deployed on each supported blockchain. These have limited functionality — they can essentially only send and receive data. They serve as the point of contact for all 3rd party developers.

Importantly, XPort is designed to be compliant with the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance’s Distributed Ledger Technology Interoperability Specification, co-authored by Wanchain’s VP on Engineering Dr. Weijia Zhang.