what's socket protocol?
SOCKET Protocol is a chain abstraction layer designed to simplify multichain interactions for developers and users in the blockchain ecosystem. It enables the creation of applications that operate seamlessly across multiple blockchains, abstracting away the complexities of cross-chain communication, bridging, and liquidity fragmentation. By deploying lightweight smart contracts on supported chains, SOCKET enforces a set of rules that allow for intent-based execution, where user intents are resolved off-chain or via relayers before on-chain settlement, reducing gas costs and improving efficiency. At its core, the protocol uses a modular architecture with components like the Socket Data Layer for secure messaging and the Executor Network for intent fulfillment. This setup supports features such as cross-chain swaps, deposits, and generalized messaging, powering integrations with DEXs, wallets, and layer-2 solutions. Developers can build chain-agnostic dApps that treat disparate blockchains as a unified environment, enhancing scalability and user experience without requiring users to manage bridges or chain-specific wallets. SOCKET emphasizes security through mechanisms like Surge, a community-driven bug bounty and audit program, and partnerships with ecosystems like Optimism and Polygon. It processes high volumes of transactions by aggregating liquidity and enabling atomic cross-chain operations, positioning it as infrastructure for the modular blockchain future.
Founder Vaibhav Chellani speaks at Intents Day panel January 22, 2026.
Links
x.com/socketprotocolLitocoen departed from Socket Protocol a few months prior to February 2026 after working with the team for 2.5 years.
Founder Vaibhav Chellani is speaking at the Intents Day panel "Apps & Intents" on January 22, 2026 at 2:35-3:20 PM EST, hosted by The Rollup.
Socket Protocol announces grant program for developers participating in hackathons.
Bungee Exchange by Socket Protocol records $85 million USD in cross-chain volume over 24 hours, ranking just after USDT0 and Hyperliquid in volume metrics.
Completes "Into Chain Abstraction" educational campaign on Layer3 with 4.2K participants and announces transition to mainnet activities.
Polynomial derivatives chain goes live on Layer3 powered by Socket Protocol infrastructure for fast and unified trading.
Socket Surge pre-mainnet program completed, with ChainOn_Top distributing rewards today to winning BASETOP team from Base chain.
Provides chain abstraction infrastructure for Fireplace, enabling seamless aggregation of Polymarket and Kalshi prediction markets.
Uniswap releases "the-compact," a modular component/library that can be integrated with Socket Protocol infrastructure. This represents a new technical collaboration between the two protocols in the chain-abstraction space.
Socket Protocol powers new ChainOn_Top social strategy game launch with bonding functionality across 20 chains.
Integrates with Sei Network as day-one partner for native USDC and CCTP V2 implementation.
Emerges as critical infrastructure enabler for cross-chain alliances as major L1/L2 protocols shift away from chain tribalism toward interconnected ecosystem strategies.
Fluid surpasses Curve Finance in stable swap pool volume, becoming second largest DEX on Ethereum
New HLP-style vault for intent yield targeting retail investors under development.
Trading competition offering 5,000 $OP and POAP rewards starts tomorrow at 1PM UTC on PolynomialFi.
Chain abstraction protocol launches end of current month, enabling cross-network application gateways.
Upcoming TGE mentioned, described as "only thing DeFi has now"
Targeting long-term KAITO holders, specifically 7,200+ addresses that claimed and staked $KAITO.
Chain Abstraction protocol with nearly $15B in volume and 10M transactions processed. Recently added Polygon AggLayer, dropped limited NFT collection with potential airdrop.