Question 1

How do I set up a local bridge between two Substrate chains?

Accepted Answer

Use the provided bridge nodes to run test networks locally—build the repo with Rust and Docker, then follow the High-Level Architecture docs to configure relayers for chains like Rococo and Westend. Specific steps are outlined in the Installation and Running the Bridge sections.

Question 2

Is Parity Bridges Common ready for mainnet production?

Accepted Answer

No, the project is marked as 'under construction' in the README, so it's best for testing and development. For production use, expect to handle instability, incomplete features, and need for extensive customization and auditing.

Question 3

What's the difference between Parity Bridges Common and other bridge solutions like Axelar?

Accepted Answer

Parity Bridges Common is tailored for Substrate-based chains within the Polkadot ecosystem, focusing on modular components and GRANDPA consensus. In contrast, Axelar is a generalized cross-chain platform supporting multiple blockchains but may not integrate as seamlessly with Substrate runtimes.

Question 4

Can I bridge to Ethereum using this toolkit?

Accepted Answer

While possible, it's not ideal out-of-the-box. The toolkit is optimized for GRANDPA consensus, so bridging to Ethereum with Proof of Work requires significant additional development for light clients and message passing adapters.

Question 5

How are relayers incentivized or paid in this system?

Accepted Answer

The project includes a relayers pallet for rewards registry, but specific incentive mechanisms—like fees or tokens—must be implemented by developers based on their bridge design, as it's a modular component without predefined economics.

Question 6

What's the performance impact of using GRANDPA light clients on-chain?

Accepted Answer

GRANDPA light clients are efficient for finality verification but add runtime overhead for header syncing and proof validation. Performance depends on chain configuration, message volume, and relayer efficiency, requiring benchmarking for specific use cases.

Bridges

What is Bridges?

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