Architecture Overview

Protocol Architecture

Architecture Overview

Genius Bridge Protocol (GBP) is an intent-based, cross-chain execution layer designed to enable deterministic and transparent routing of liquidity across chains. Unlike probabilistic bridges or liquidity networks that rely on external relayers or generalized message passing, GBP enforces strict execution rules, asset custody constraints, and liquidity accounting to ensure solvency, capital efficiency, and yield traceability. The protocol is engineered around a few core architectural primitives—Lit-based intent authentication, Orchestrator Wallets for deterministic liquidity control, and vault-based modular execution logic—that together facilitate a new class of yield-bearing stablecoin, usdGG.

At its foundation, GBP functions as a coordination layer for liquidity providers (LPs) to deposit USDC into chain-specific vaults, which the protocol uses to execute cross-chain swaps. These swaps are user-generated intents, cryptographically signed and verified using the Lit Protocol network. Every swap constitutes an atomic settlement event: users sign off-chain intents, which are verified by Lit Actions, executed by GBP, and finalized via canonical bridge adapters. The protocol guarantees that swaps execute only when all preconditions—fees, slippage tolerances, and liquidity availability—are met exactly as specified in the signed payload.

The Lit Protocol and Network documentation can be found here: https://developer.litprotocol.com/

How GBP works

GBP's execution process follows a deterministic two-phase protocol:

First, users declare their intent and provides a clear breakdown of total costs.

Source Chain Phase:

• User submits intent with cryptographic signature

• Router Module converts source asset to USDC via DEX aggregation

• USDC deposited into source chain vault

• Lit Action verifies deposit and coordinates with target chain

Target Chain Phase:

• Orchestrator Wallet withdraws USDC from target chain vault

• USDC swapped to desired target asset via DEX liquidity

• Asset transferred to user's target address

• Withdrawal event emitted and verified through Lit Action

Core Components

1. Lit protocol

Genius integrates the Lit Protocol as a foundational component for cross-chain execution, eliminating the need for a traditional solver network. Rather than relying on permissioned actors to carry out off-chain logic, Genius leverages Lit’s decentralized threshold cryptography to ensure deterministic and verifiable automation.

Lit operates through Distributed Key Generation (DKG) and Multi-Party Computation (MPC), enabling a set of independent nodes to collaboratively execute arbitrary code tied to programmable conditions—without any single party holding full signing authority. This architecture guarantees censorship resistance and auditability at the execution layer.

The Lit Protocol and Network documentation can be found here: https://developer.litprotocol.com/

2. Blockchain Layer

Genius Vaults are smart contracts that accept deposits and emit pending orders for off-chain services to process. They function as the primary interface for staking USDC, managing user deposits, withdrawals, and distributing protocol fees to liquidity providers.

The GBP protocol integrates with major DEXs and aggregators to fetch real-time pricing data required to fulfill user intents. It standardizes all swaps by converting tokens into USDC, the protocol’s native settlement asset.

In cases where Vaults on a specific chain experience liquidity depletion due to skewed order flow, off-chain services monitor balances and initiate rebalancing operations. These operations utilize cross-chain bridges such as Circle’s CCTP and Wormhole to restore target liquidity levels and maintain protocol solvency.

3. Off-chain Services

The Genius off-chain services are critical infrastructure components that support the operation of the GBP protocol. While external to the on-chain contracts, these services are modular and replicable, preserving the protocol’s decentralization guarantees.

Their primary responsibilities include monitoring supported blockchains for new orders, estimating execution costs, and querying decentralized exchanges and liquidity aggregators to determine optimal swap paths. These services function as trusted data relays, supplying the protocol with actionable execution logic in a permissionless and verifiable manner.

Beyond order execution, they ensure the protocol remains in an operationally sound state by continuously tracking cross-chain liquidity conditions and triggering rebalancing operations when thresholds are breached. Operational telemetry is persistently collected to surface inefficiencies and inform ongoing system-level optimizations.