Wormhole
score
Fees: Low protocol fee + gas; cheap on most routes
Valuable when you need to reach chains few other bridges support, especially Solana and non-EVM networks. Weigh that reach against its guardian-multisig trust model and the memory of a major past exploit. This is not financial advice.
What Wormhole is
Wormhole is a cross-chain messaging and bridging protocol known for reaching networks that few competitors support, including Solana and many non-EVM chains. Operating since 2020, it is deeply integrated across major DeFi and NFT applications and moves both assets and general messages. Its coverage is its defining feature, making it a go-to when a route simply is not available anywhere else.
How it performs where it counts
Chain coverage is exceptional at 9.5, the highest in this category, and speed follows strongly at 8.5 with fast transfers across its many integrations. Fees score 8, cheap on most routes. The scores that pull the overall down to 7.1 are security and audits at 6.5 and track record at 5, the latter weighed down by a major past exploit that still shapes how the bridge is assessed.
What it costs
Fees rate 8 and are a genuine strength. You pay a low protocol fee plus gas, and on the majority of routes Wormhole is inexpensive. Combined with its speed, the day-to-day user experience on cost is competitive, which is part of why it remains so widely used despite its trust model.
The main risk
The caveats here are the most significant in this group. Wormhole suffered a $325M exploit in February 2022, one of the largest bridge hacks on record; the funds were fully reimbursed by Jump, restoring user balances, and development, audits and monitoring have been active since. Even so, the protocol relies on a 19-guardian multisig, a meaningful centralization and trust assumption, meaning users trust a fixed validator set rather than a trustless design.
Who it should suit
Wormhole is most valuable when you need to reach chains that other bridges do not serve, especially Solana and non-EVM networks. That reach is best weighed against its guardian-multisig trust model and the memory of the 2022 exploit. If broad coverage is the priority and you accept that trade-off, it delivers; if minimal trust surface is your top concern, look to higher-scoring options on security. This is not financial advice.
Overall 7.1 / 10 — the weighted average of the criteria above. How we score →
- + Extremely broad coverage including Solana and many non-EVM chains
- + Fast transfers and deep integration across major DeFi and NFT apps
- + The $325M Feb 2022 exploit was fully reimbursed by Jump, restoring user balances
- + Active development, audits, and monitoring since the incident
- − Historic $325M hack is one of the largest bridge exploits on record
- − Relies on a 19-guardian multisig, a meaningful centralization and trust assumption
- − Guardian model means users must trust a fixed validator set rather than a trustless design
Is Wormhole safe after the 2022 hack?
+
Wormhole suffered a $325M exploit in February 2022, and the funds were fully reimbursed by Jump so user balances were restored. Development, audits and monitoring have been active since. Still, security scores 6.5 and track record 5, and it relies on a 19-guardian multisig, so the trust assumptions are real.
What are Wormhole's fees?
+
Fees are a strength at 8. You pay a low protocol fee plus gas, and it is cheap on most routes, which combined with fast transfers keeps the everyday cost competitive.
Does Wormhole support Solana?
+
Yes. Wormhole's coverage is its biggest advantage, scoring 9.5, and it reaches Solana along with many other non-EVM chains that few bridges support.
How does Wormhole secure transfers?
+
It relies on a network of 19 guardians operating a multisig that validates cross-chain messages. This is a meaningful centralization and trust assumption, since users trust that fixed set rather than a trustless mechanism.
Is Wormhole a good bridge?
+
It earns a 7.1 overall. It is excellent for reach and speed at low cost, but its security and track record scores are dragged down by the guardian model and the historic exploit. It is a strong pick when you need chains others cannot serve, less so if minimal trust is your priority.