Solana and Base Move Toward Shared Liquidity Through Chainlink CCIP

Solana and Coinbase’s Base network are now connected through a new bridge that uses Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol. This means users and developers can move assets between Solana and Base in a direct and secure way. 

The Base team confirmed that the bridge is live on mainnet and ready for use inside several applications. The system works through a shared verification model where both Coinbase and Chainlink node operators validate each message sent across the bridge.

This is the first time Base has integrated a non-EVM chain through a dedicated bridge.

The bridge supports SOL and Solana’s SPL tokens, as well as Base assets that can now be exported to Solana. Early integrations include Zora, Aerodrome, Virtuals, Flaunch, and Relay. The Base team says the goal is to make cross-chain movement simple, reliable, and secure, especially for users who want to trade or use assets without switching wallets or interfaces.

What Does the Solana-Base Bridge Do?

The Solana-Base bridge enables direct asset movement between the two networks. Solana users can now deposit tokens into Base applications and begin using them without any extra steps. Base users can move their assets to Solana as well.

Worth noting, Solana and Base use different technologies. Solana is a high-throughput chain that uses a Proof-of-History-based design. Base runs on Ethereum’s Optimism stack and follows EVM standards.

Bridging between a non-EVM chain and an EVM chain is not straightforward. That is why the system uses Chainlink CCIP and a custom cross-chain oracle to translate messages between the networks.

The bridge opens several user-level and developer-level features:

• Users can trade Solana assets inside Base apps
• Developers can add native SPL token support inside Base applications
• Base assets can be exported to Solana for trading or on-chain activity
• Apps on both networks can access a wider set of tokens and liquidity

The bridge works through two independent validation layers. Coinbase verifies all cross-chain messages on one path and Chainlink node operators verify them on another. Both groups must confirm the message for the transfer to complete. This reduces the chance of bad data entering the system.

Why Connect Solana and Base?

Solana and Base attract different types of users and developers, but both have grown quickly due to low fees and high throughput. Solana has become known for fast trading, active memecoin markets, and high user counts. Base has become the most active Ethereum layer-2 by transaction count and is one of the leading networks by profitability.

The bridge connects these two user bases and allows liquidity to flow in both directions. Base emphasized its long-held goal of being “a bridge, not an island.” The team said that a global economy needs connected blockchains, not isolated networks. The Base-Solana bridge is an attempt to make moving between chains feel simple, consistent, and fast.

Base apps like Zora and Aerodrome are early adopters of the bridge. Zora, known for its token launch tools, can now allow Solana assets to be launched or traded inside Base. Aerodrome, the most active DEX on Base, can now list Solana assets as well. Relay, Virtuals, and Flaunch are also integrating.

The bridge is open-source on GitHub. Any developer can implement it into their project without needing approval from Base or Chainlink.

How Chainlink CCIP Secures the System

Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol has become one of the most widely used frameworks for cross-chain interactions. CCIP handles message passing, token transfers, and arbitrary data movement between blockchains.

In this case, CCIP acts as the secure transport layer between Base and Solana. It manages:

• Message verification
• Routing
• Rate limiting
• Security controls

"By leveraging Chainlink CCIP as the cross-chain infrastructure securing the Base-Solana Bridge, Base enables developers to build the most secure cross-chain applications and move the industry toward a reliable interoperability standard that is adopted by the largest financial institutions in the world," said Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer at Chainlink Labs.

The Base bridge uses a custom cross-chain oracle built for Solana’s non-EVM architecture. Both Coinbase and Chainlink validators verify each message before it is executed on the destination chain.

This dual validation setup reduces risks that have historically affected bridges, such as faulty data relays or single-point confirmation failures. Many previous bridge exploits in the crypto industry came from weak message validation or poor access controls. The Base-Solana bridge avoids these issues by splitting the validation load across two operator groups.

How Are Users Affected?

Users now have the ability to deposit Solana assets into Base-integrated apps without switching chains or managing multiple wallets. This includes assets like SOL, CHILLHOUSE, TRENCHER, and others.

Solana users can also explore Base apps without friction. For example:

• A user could transfer SOL to Base and begin trading on Aerodrome
• A creator could mint tokens on Zora using Solana assets
• A community could move liquidity from Solana to Base for use in Base-native markets

The connection serves both networks. Solana users get access to a growing L2 ecosystem. Base users get access to Solana’s high-activity token markets.

Activity on Solana has been mixed in the past year. Daily active addresses peaked at over 6 million in November 2024, then fell to around 2.4 million. Some analysts point to market cycles, while others highlight increased competition. Regardless, Solana’s throughput and low cost have kept it popular for trading and memecoin activity.

Base has also grown steadily. It is now the fifth largest chain by bridged total value locked. The network holds about $4.63 billion in DeFi TVL, according to DefiLlama. Solana holds about $15.63 billion. The bridge allows some of this liquidity to move more easily across both ecosystems.

What Does This Mean for Developers?

For developers, the bridge offers several important features:

• Native SPL token support inside Base apps
• Direct access to Solana liquidity
• Cross-chain tokenomics structures
• Ability to expand user bases without building separate systems
• Export of Base assets to Solana for new use cases

Because the bridge is open-source, developers are free to integrate it into any type of application. The Base team expects this to encourage more apps to support multichain functionality.

Base is built using the Optimism tech stack, which gives developers access to tools commonly used in EVM environments. Linking Solana adds a major non-EVM chain to this system. This expands the range of assets that can be used inside EVM-based apps.

Is This a Step Toward Multichain Finance?

Base says it wants to become a central hub for assets across all networks. Solana is the first major non-EVM chain linked to Base, but not the last. The team said more chains will be connected later.

The aim is not to create a new chain that replaces others. Instead, Base wants to support activity across networks so users can move wherever the value is. This approach reflects a growing shift in the industry. Users increasingly want to trade and explore across chains without learning new tools or converting assets repeatedly.

Conclusion

The Solana-Base bridge connects two of the most active blockchains through Chainlink CCIP. It allows users to move assets between the networks and enables developers to support native Solana tokens inside Base apps. The system uses a dual validation model supported by Coinbase and Chainlink to reduce security risks. Early integrations are already live in applications like Zora, Aerodrome, Virtuals, Flaunch, and Relay.

The bridge expands liquidity across both networks and creates opportunities for multichain applications. It is designed to work simply, reliably, and with clear technical standards. The move strengthens Base’s goal of building a connected onchain economy and gives Solana users access to a broader range of tools and markets.

Resources

1. Announcement from Base: The Base-Solana bridge is now live, secured by Chainlink & Coinbase

2. Report by CoinDesk: Coinbase, Chainlink Introduce Base-Solana Bridge to Link Ecosystems

3. Report by The Block: Coinbase incubated Ethereum L2 Base network rolls out bridge to Solana

4. DeFiLlama data: TVL data by chains

5. Chainlink on X: Announcement on Dec. 4