Astar launches ‘SuperchainERC20’ token to move freely between OP Stack-based chains, leveraging Chainlink’s CCIP

Japan's Astar Network announced today that its native ASTR token became the first token to implement the SuperchainERC20 standard, which utilizes the ERC-7802 standard and Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). 

The token standard enables burn and mint functionality for cross-chain transfers, no longer requiring users to rely on liquidity pools or wrapped assets. This eliminates one of the causes of bridge security exploits in the past, the press release noted.

SuperchainERC20 also provides a standardized implementation across all Superchain networks  without additional infrastructure costs for cross-chain functions.

This token model currently facilitates ASTR transfers between Polkadot-based Layer 1 Astar and Sony's Layer 2 Soneium, with future plans to expand to various blockchain networks, including Optimism-based Superchain Base.

"This breakthrough implementation eliminates the fragmentation and poor user experience of traditional wrapped tokens, and allows native movement of ASTR between ecosystems instead of relying on liquidity pools or wrapping mechanisms," wrote Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group.

The implementation is supported by Chainlink's CCIP function as a cross-chain messaging protocol that verifies and executes token transfers between blockchains with an architecture utilizing Chainlink's decentralized oracle infrastructure.

"As Superchain interop rolls out, assets like ASTR will benefit from frictionless movement between chains, with 1-block finality, zero slippage, and a unified security model," said Zain Bacchus, Staff Product Manager at OP Labs. "This creates an ideal foundation for DeFi growth across Ethereum and the Superchain."