What are wrapped tokens and why do you need them?

A wrapped token is a “copy” of a crypto coin issued in another blockchain on the security of the original. The ratio of such “copies” is 1:1.

To become wrapped, an ordinary token must be moved to special storage. Then the wrapped token will be issued by using a special smart contract. For example, in order to create WBTC, the user has to transfer BTC to the specified address in the Bitcoin network. Only after that will WBTC be issued and transferred to the address specified by the user in the Ethereum network. Notably, the storage must be custodial and comply with the requirements. Also, it is worth mentioning the fact that WBTC, in this case, is issued on the Ethereum network as a regular erc20 token, respectively, it can be used with existing services: create liquidity pools on DEXes and trade a token equivalent to bitcoin against stablecoins on ethereum (USDT/USDC/DAI), farm tokens in staking pools, implement liquidity mining without selling bitcoin, use WBTC as collateral for secured loans (MakerDAO), or put in lending pools (Compound Finance).

No, it’s not. A stablecoin is pegged to another (fiat) currency, and in the case of a wrapped token, we are talking about the fact that the token is not used on the native blockchain platform. In order to use it, you need to “wrap” it – that is, to issue its copy on the platform you need to work with.

Thanks to a wrapped token, you can trade on decentralized exchanges that do not support the original asset. Over time, as the market of decentralized applications has evolved, it has become necessary for users to transfer liquid assets between networks. For example, to get a loan in stablecoins, you can leave a deposit. However, since the Tron or Ethereum ecosystems don’t support bitcoin, this is where the wrapped bitcoin comes in handy. Also, the wrapped token dramatically simplifies the work of exchanges, services, and crypto wallets, since in case of its use, there is no need for setting individual nodes. Also, since the wrapped token has the same value as the original, it can serve as a loan guarantee or be used for profitable farming. Thanks to the wrapped token, there is no need to use centralized services and exchanges. In addition, wrapped tokens are used for governance and access to staked tokens. We may take Bancor as an example, where users can put their BNT network token into the liquidity pool and receive VBNT in return, with which they can vote, sell, and access staked funds. Also, in Polkadot, a user can stake their DOT in Acala - get LDOT in return and have liquidity while the original asset is staked.

Cross-chain bridges are a set of automated smart contracts with which you can transfer a token from one network, putting an asset in a special storage, to another, creating a wrapped token in it. Bridges are needed to ensure compatibility between networks that are isolated from each other. This is very convenient and allows users to save time and use their assets in different ecosystems.

As in any other sphere, there are dangerous aspects in the use of wrapped tokens and cross-chain bridges. One such danger is a potential vulnerability in the code. This is how Wormhole was hacked. The attackers managed to withdraw $325 million due to a bug on GitHub. Another dangerous point is centralization. If the keys that give access to the original storage fall into the wrong hands, the asset will be transferred to a third-party address, and the deposit will not be returned. That’s how the scammers managed to withdraw crypto worth 625 million dollars from Axie Infinity and its Ronin bridge.

We hope this information will help you better understand a wrapped token and improve your knowledge about blockchain and cryptocurrencies.