Design a Cross-Chain Bridge Protocol with Honest Threat Model
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Design a cross-chain bridge with a 5-of-9 validator model and fraud-proof system. Build the spec and prototype to earn a verifiable certificate.
The scenario
The startup raised on the bridge thesis after 3 high-profile bridge hacks in 2022-2023 demonstrated the market opportunity — their CEO has said publicly 'security is the product'.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Design a cross-chain bridge protocol with an explicit threat model covering at least 12 named attacks, plus a working lock-and-mint prototype.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Design a non-trivial cross-chain protocol from first principles
- Reason about validator economics + slashing as a security primitive
- Build an explicit threat model with named attacks + mitigations
- Communicate a security-critical design to an audit team
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Aligned coursework coming soon.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
- Blockchain Protocols
Apply blockchain protocols to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Smart Contracts
Apply smart contracts to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Solidity
Apply solidity to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Threat Modeling
Apply threat modeling to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Protocol Design
Apply protocol design to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
- Documentation
Apply documentation to solve real industry problems and demonstrate production-level capability.
Careers
Career paths this challenge builds toward
Completing this challenge demonstrates skills that transfer directly to these roles: