Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed herein belong solely to the authors and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news editorials.
Progress can be a funny thing. It doesn’t necessarily seem like progress. Every year, new blockchains are released with fancier branding, faster confirmation times, and bold promises to “finally fix” the previous ones. Each chain introduces its own tools, pricing structure, and community. Instead of forming a unified global network, these ecosystems feel siled, leaving users and businesses constantly second-guessing whether they are following the right steps.
summary
- Despite new chains that are faster and more sophisticated, developers are scattered across the ecosystem, rebuilding the same tools to bridge incompatible networks, hindering enterprise adoption and scalability.
- Token bridges and APIs create security risks, with more than $2 billion potentially stolen by 2024. To achieve true interoperability, blockchains must natively validate transactions across the network without a custodian or wrapper.
- As institutions like JPMorgan and central banks pilot mutual ledger systems, interoperability will become the core infrastructure that will make blockchain as seamless and reliable as the internet.
Developers are building across many ecosystems today. In fact, one in three operates across multiple chains, indicating severe fragmentation in enterprise deployments. Even builders are risk-averse, as no single network will “just work” with another. Wrapped tokens fly from chain to chain like travelers with fake passports, and developers continually reinvent the same infrastructure just to allow systems to communicate. This is the bottleneck that prevents blockchain from achieving full-scale corporate integration.
If the industry truly wants to expand, interoperability needs to evolve beyond a marketing slogan.
You may also like: Some blockchains are meant to do one thing and do it very well. opinion
The myth of interoperability
Many networks claim to be interoperable. These provide token bridges or APIs that allow apps to interact between chains. Technically, these solutions work until they stop working. Under stress, such as network congestion, high volume of transactions, or cyber attacks, these connections can fail.
Chainalysis reported that hackers stole $2.2 billion in 303 incidents in 2024. By mid-2025, global losses had already exceeded $2.17 billion. Incidents are on the rise, even as more chains tout themselves as “secure” and “interoperable.” problem? Edge connectors extend beyond trust boundaries that they were never designed to meet. If the only thing connecting two blockchains is a smart contract on the bridge, one faulty signature or stolen key can wipe out millions.
True interoperability means that blockchains can natively recognize, verify, and execute transactions from other networks without the need for custodians, wrappers, or fragile bridges. Until that common ground is reached, all “interoperable” solutions remain a patchwork of solutions.
hidden costs
Even advanced users feel the pain. Juggling multiple wallets, guessing gas prices, and praying your transactions don’t get stuck in the middle. It’s infuriating. Now imagine the stress on companies that move large amounts of capital. Gas prices and unpredictable costs can reduce profits and compromise the user experience.
The World Bank puts the average cost of a $500 cross-border remittance at 4.26% in the first quarter of 2025. While this is an improvement from a few years ago, it is still far from the “near-zero” dream blockchain that was once promised. The Financial Stability Board has already warned that the G20’s 2027 target for cheaper and faster cross-border payments is unlikely to be met.
Each chain has its own economics, making migration between networks costly and complex. Compare this to the internet. Users don’t have to worry about which servers load their emails or which protocols route their Zoom calls. Click the button and it will work. Blockchain should provide the same seamless experience, where businesses don’t have to wonder if a payment has been completed.
Corporate turning point
Companies have a long history of forcing standardization. In the early days of the Internet era, competing formats for file transfer and email created confusion until protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, and SSL were widely adopted. Blockchain is heading towards the same convergence. It’s just a scenic route.
We are already seeing signs of this change. Financial giants like JP Morgan are piloting USD deposit tokens on Base. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is conducting a live pilot of tokenized funds and assets with traditional institutions as part of Project Guardian. These tests are intended to ensure that value can be transferred between ledgers as easily as data can be transferred over the Internet.
Meanwhile, the BIS 2024 survey found that 91% of 93 central banks are considering some form of central bank digital currency. This applies to almost every major company in the global financial world.
This is the turning point. With institutions requiring blockchain rails across multiple networks by default, interoperability becomes infrastructure itself. A prerequisite for a viable network.
That’s when blockchain will break through the boundaries of enterprises. Not because of speculation or shiny tokenomics, but because it will be reliable, standardized, and invisible. When that day comes, no one will ask which chain processed their transaction. They just make sure it worked instantly everywhere.
read more: Financial infrastructure requires rethinking blockchain architecture | Opinion
wesley crook
wesley crookCEO of FP Block, leads a global team of software engineers and blockchain developers to drive innovative solutions. With more than 35 years of consulting experience, he has successfully scaled FP Block, expanded into new markets, and delivered high-impact blockchain and software projects for his clients. Wesley’s leadership has solidified FP Block’s reputation for reliable, cutting-edge technology. As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, he shares strategic insights with industry leaders. With a focus on measurable results, Wesley welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on transformational initiatives and will lead FP Block toward operational excellence and client success.