# Sova Protocol

Sova is the liquidity layer for cross-chain cryptocurrency. The protocol provides unified infrastructure for moving digital assets across blockchain networks through intent-based settlement—without bridges, wrapped tokens, or custodial intermediaries.

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**Status:** Live on Base Mainnet with active vault operations and cross-chain settlement.
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## The Problem

Cross-chain asset movement remains the largest unsolved friction in cryptocurrency:

| Challenge                   | Impact                                                                   |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Bridge Liquidity Caps**   | Large transfers fragment across multiple transactions and routes         |
| **Wrapped Token Risk**      | Bridge exploits have caused billions in losses from wrapped asset depegs |
| **Settlement Latency**      | Hours or days to move assets between networks                            |
| **Execution Fragmentation** | Users navigate multiple protocols, interfaces, and signing flows         |

Sova eliminates these frictions with purpose-built infrastructure for institutional-grade cross-chain settlement.

***

## Protocol Architecture

The protocol consists of three integrated systems:

### Vaults

ERC-4626 tokenized vaults that aggregate liquidity for cross-chain settlement. Depositors provide cbBTC, receive svBTC yield-bearing tokens, and earn fees from solver activity.

* **Standard:** ERC-4626 tokenized vault
* **Asset:** cbBTC (Coinbase Wrapped Bitcoin)
* **Yield Source:** Real economic activity from settlement fees
* **Network:** Base Mainnet

### Swap

Cross-chain asset exchange across 50+ networks with native Bitcoin and Zcash support. Intent-based settlement delivers native assets directly—no wrapped tokens.

* **Coverage:** 50+ EVM chains, Bitcoin, Zcash, Solana
* **Settlement:** Intent-based via decentralized solver network
* **Output:** Native assets, not wrapped representations

### Solver Network

Decentralized execution layer that fulfills cross-chain intents. Solvers compete on price, with the best quote winning execution rights.

* **Model:** Competitive auction for each intent
* **Settlement:** Atomic execution with automatic refunds on failure
* **Collateral:** Solvers post bonds to guarantee fulfillment

***

## Intent-Based Settlement

Sova uses an intent model rather than traditional bridge architecture:

| Step                      | Description                                                      |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **1. Intent Declaration** | User specifies desired outcome (e.g., "swap 1,000 USDC for BTC") |
| **2. Solver Auction**     | Network of solvers compete to fulfill the intent at best price   |
| **3. Atomic Execution**   | Winning solver executes settlement, user receives native assets  |
| **4. Finality**           | Cross-chain settlement completes in minutes, not hours           |

This model eliminates wrapped token risk. Users receive native BTC, not a bridge IOU.

***

## Supported Networks

### EVM Chains

Base, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, zkSync Era, Linea, Scroll, Blast, Mode, Mantle, Zora, Unichain, Sonic, Sei, Berachain, and 30+ additional networks.

### Non-EVM Chains

| Chain       | Address Formats                                                  |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Bitcoin** | SegWit (`bc1q...`), Taproot (`bc1p...`), Legacy (`1...`, `3...`) |
| **Zcash**   | Transparent (`t1...`)                                            |
| **Solana**  | Standard addresses                                               |

***

## Products

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Vaults</strong></td><td>Deposit cbBTC, receive svBTC yield-bearing tokens, earn from solver activity.</td><td><a href="products/vaults">vaults</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Swap</strong></td><td>Cross-chain exchange across 50+ networks with native BTC and ZEC output.</td><td><a href="products/swap">swap</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Resources

| Resource        | Link                                                     |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Application** | [app.sova.io](https://app.sova.io)                       |
| **Website**     | [sova.io](https://sova.io)                               |
| **GitHub**      | [github.com/SovaNetwork](https://github.com/SovaNetwork) |
| **Twitter**     | [@sovabtc](https://twitter.com/sovabtc)                  |
| **Discord**     | [discord.gg/sova](https://discord.gg/sova)               |

***

## Start Building

{% content-ref url="using-sova/getting-started" %}
[getting-started](https://docs.sova.io/using-sova/getting-started)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="products/roadmap" %}
[roadmap](https://docs.sova.io/products/roadmap)
{% endcontent-ref %}