Release Date: January 2025

Status: Live on Mainnet

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of ITS Hub, a significant leap forward in blockchain interoperability. ITS Hub builds on the foundation of the Interchain Token Service (ITS) by introducing a central hub for routing token operations, improved security, scalability, and interoperability across a diverse range of chains, including EVM and non-smart contract ecosystems.

ITS Hub Contract

✨ CosmWasm-based contract on the Axelar network
🔐 Central routing hub for token transfers
🌉 Supports both Amplifier and consensus chains
🔄 Replaces peer-to-peer token transfer structure

Token Support

ITS Tokens: Supported (with limitations)
- Based on General Message Passing (GMP)
- Minted, burned, and managed connected EVM chains
Gateway Tokens: Not supported (future release)

What is ITS Hub?

ITS Hub is a CosmWasm-based contract on the Axelar network that serves as a central routing hub for all token transfers across Amplifier , consensus chains, and non-EVM chains like Sui and Stellar. This model replaces the peer-to-peer token transfer structure of the original ITS, enabling centralized balance tracking, rate limits, and streamlined security measures. By routing through ITS Hub, developers can bridge tokens while benefiting from enhanced interoperability across various blockchain ecosystems.

Key Features and Benefits

Unified Token Routing

All ITS-enabled chains route token transactions through the ITS Hub, enabling simplified bridging for diverse blockchain architectures, including EVM chains and non-smart contract chains like XRPL.
Enhanced Security

ITS Hub applies centralized balance tracking to prevent over-escrow and enforce invariants, while rate limits mitigate risks from compromised chains or contracts.
Scalability and Interoperability

ITS Hub supports ITS tokens, enabling seamless bridging across Amplifier chains, consensus chains, and non-smart contract ecosystems.
Future Compatibility

ITS Hub is designed to accommodate evolving features such as integrating GMP Express, Axelar, and Cosmos chains and permissionless EVM onboarding support.
Support for ITS Tokens

ITS tokens, based on Axelar’s General Message Passing (GMP), are minted, burned, and managed directly on connected EVM chains. Gateway tokens, however, are not supported in this iteration of ITS Hub.

How ITS Hub Works

ITS Hub introduces a dual GMP call mechanism for routing token transactions:

Source Chain to ITS Hub: The ITS Edge Contract sends a GMP call to the ITS Hub, wrapping the original payload.
ITS Hub to Destination Chain: The ITS Hub processes the payload, applies security measures, and forwards it to the ITS Edge Contract on the destination chain.

This design ensures robust state tracking and scalability across diverse chain architectures.

Rollout and Compatibility

ITS Hub supports Ethereum, Flow, and Sui for its initial release, with ongoing efforts to integrate Stellar, Ripple, Solana, and others. Amplifier chains currently support token transfers to Ethereum and other Amplifier chains, with broader functionality planned for future iterations.

⚠️⚠️⚠️

Custom ITS tokens are not supported in the current version.

Transfers from Amplifier chains are currently limited to Ethereum and other Amplifier chains.

Gateway Tokens integration is planned for future releases.

Upcoming Chain Support

Stellar
Ripple ("XRPL")
Solana
XRPL EVM sidechain
Hyperledger

Migration

The ITS Hub architecture is designed for seamless integration with existing systems while preparing for future enhancements. Current ITS users can continue using the peer-to-peer system, with migration paths being developed for routing through ITS Hub in future updates.

What’s Next?

As Axelar continues to expand its ecosystem, ITS Hub will play a pivotal role in cross-chain interactions. Upcoming features include:

Broader blockchain support for Amplifier and non-smart contract chains.
Integration with GMP Express for faster message passing.
Migration tools for existing P2P ITS connections to adopt ITS Hub.

Resources and Documentation

If you have any questions or need assistance, please open an issue in our support repository. We're here to help!

ITS Hub Release Note: Everything You Need to Know

Table of contents