The role of trading infrastructure in scaling Web3 applications
Web3 is a mess right now. Users jump between dozens of different blockchains, each with their own tokens, wallets, and quirks.
The thing is, this chaos isn’t going away. If anything, we’re getting more chains, more Layer 2s, and more fragmentation. Ethereum is expensive, so people use Arbitrum. Arbitrum is still too slow for some apps, so they try Solana.
This is where trading infrastructure comes in. Not the flashy DeFi protocols that get all the attention, but the boring, essential plumbing that makes cross-chain interactions possible. Companies like Jumper Exchange are building the bridges and routing systems that let people actually use their crypto across different networks without losing their minds.
Why bridges matter more than you think
Most people think of bridges as simple tools—put your tokens in on one side, and get them out on the other. But the reality is way more complex. When someone wants to move assets from Fantom to BSC, they’re not just moving tokens. They’re converting between different security models, different consensus mechanisms, and different economic systems.
Good bridge infrastructure handles all of this complexity behind the scenes. It finds the best routes, minimizes fees, and manages the technical details that would otherwise require users to understand the inner workings of multiple blockchain protocols. The best bridges make cross-chain transactions feel as simple as sending an email, even though they’re orchestrating incredibly complex operations.
The liquidity problem
Here’s something most people don’t realize: liquidity is the real bottleneck in Web3, not transaction speed or fees. You can have the fastest blockchain in the world, but if there’s no liquidity for the assets you want to trade, you’re stuck. This gets even worse when you’re dealing with multiple chains.
Say you want to go from Polygon to Solana. You’re not just moving tokens between chains—you’re potentially moving between completely different liquidity pools, market makers, and trading venues. The infrastructure has to find the best path through this maze of options, often splitting trades across multiple routes to get better prices.
This is why aggregation matters so much. The platforms that win are the ones that can tap into the deepest liquidity across the most networks. They’re not just bridges—they’re sophisticated routing engines that treat the entire Web3 ecosystem as one giant, interconnected market.
The user experience nightmare
Let’s be honest about something: using Web3 is still terrible for most people. The wallets are confusing, the gas fees are unpredictable, and the entire experience feels like you need a computer science degree to buy a $20 NFT.
This is especially true for cross-chain interactions. Try explaining to someone why they need to have ETH on three different networks just to pay for gas fees. Or why moving $100 worth of tokens might cost $30 in fees if they choose the wrong route.
Good trading infrastructure hides this complexity. It pre-calculates fees, suggests optimal routes, and handles the technical details automatically. When someone needs to move assets from Abstract to Ethereum, they shouldn’t need to understand the difference between these networks—they should just see a simple interface that gets their tokens where they need to go.
Integration challenges
Building cross-chain infrastructure isn’t just about connecting different blockchains. It’s about creating systems that can adapt to constant change. New chains launch every month, existing chains upgrade their protocols, and token standards evolve rapidly.
The infrastructure has to be flexible enough to support these changes without breaking existing functionality. When a new chain like Base launches, or when users want to move from Ethereum to Solana, the routing systems need to incorporate these new options seamlessly.
This requires a different approach to software development—one that assumes constant change rather than stability. The most successful platforms are the ones that can ship new integrations quickly while maintaining reliability for existing users.