Skip to main content

Security

Synapse Intent Network (SIN) is an optimistic cross-chain system. This means that any ambiguous actions in the system are assumed to be accurate and honest by default unless they are challenged/disputed within a short timeframe.

Proofs​

With this system in particular, prove transactions are the focal point of this optimistic mechanism - whereby a Relayer is asserting that they completed a relay and can rightfully claim the escrowed bridge funds as a reimbursement.

Each prove transaction sets the proof data for the bridge and initiates a dispute period.

Dispute Period​

After a prove transaction is posted and the proof data is set, a window of time called the Dispute Period begins.

During this time, the prove/proof is eligible to be disputed by Guard entities.

After the Dispute Period has passed without any disputes, the funds in escrow from the original bridge transaction can be released via a claim transaction, which will reimburse the rightful Relayer.

Guards​

During the dispute period, off-chain Guard entities provide the security function of evaluating the relay asserted by the prove:

  • Does the asserted relay transaction exist in a finalized state on the destination chain?

  • Do all BridgeTransactionV2 parameters of the destination relay match the origin bridge?

  • Is the relayer asserted by the prove the same as the relayer of the relay?

If any discrepancies are found, the Guard will execute a dispute.

Effects of a dispute Transaction​

When a dispute is executed, it effectively negates/erases the proof which was asserted by the disputed prove transaction.

This allows for a new corrected prove to be submitted and the process begins again.

If a relay truly did occur for the disputed prove, but it was not for the correct bridge parameters, this constitutes an invalid relay.

Additionally, a BridgeProofDisputed event will be emitted.

This event can be useful for monitoring / alerting.