Decentralized interoperability network Axelar has officially integrated with the Hedera network, creating a unified connectivity layer that plugs Hedera's applications into over 60 other blockchain ecosystems. This integration provides developers and users across on-chain finance with seamless access to Hedera's technology, applications, and liquidity through a single programmable interface.
Axelar serves as a universal communication layer, enabling blockchains to share not just tokens but arbitrary information and smart contracts across networks. It currently connects major networks including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Polygon, and the expansive Cosmos ecosystem, which comprises over 200 independent networks. The Hedera Foundation first announced this integration in November 2025, noting it would provide a direct path to leading networks like Solana, Arbitrum, and XRPL.
The main impact is that Axelar's infrastructure now allows users to transfer assets from over 60 interconnected ecosystems directly to Hedera, significantly expanding options for cross-chain interactions. "The Axelar bridge plugs Hedera directly into over 60 interconnected ecosystems," the Hedera Foundation stated previously.
Key protocols are already leveraging this integration. SaucerSwap, Hedera's largest decentralized exchange (DEX), can now tap into liquidity from other networks, including the massive Ethereum DeFi ecosystem. This enables SaucerSwap users to swap tokens, provide liquidity, farm yields, and stake with access to external capital. Simultaneously, Squid, a cross-chain swap protocol deployed on Axelar, has added Hedera to its list of supported networks, allowing users to swap tokens across dozens of chains in a single transaction.
"By leveraging Axelar for secure message passing and settlement, Squid acts as an access and distribution layer for the Hedera ecosystem, bringing external liquidity and users onto Hedera while preserving its security model, performance profile, and governance standards," according to the announcement.
For Hedera, this integration supports its growing focus on enterprise applications and Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization. The network recently became the official blockchain partner of McLaren F1 and launched the MINGO Tickets platform for ticketing and fan engagement. Furthermore, BCarbon moved 2 million carbon credits to the Hedera blockchain from Polygon earlier in February 2026. Axelar's non-custodial interoperability solution is positioned to serve these institutional use cases by enabling them to target users across multiple networks without fragmentation.
The alliance addresses a core industry challenge: liquidity fragmentation. Axelar's 2026 roadmap prioritizes ecosystems that drive institutional adoption and regulatory compliance, making the union with Hedera—known for its council-based governance, high-speed processing, and predictable performance—a strategic fit. The collaboration aims to deliver what institutions increasingly expect: secure connectivity, transparent settlement, and the ability to deploy products across multiple networks seamlessly.
