Cross-Chain Swap for Zaap.exchange cover
Case Study

Cross-Chain Swap for Zaap.exchange

BackendFrontendArchitectureSmart ContractsWeb3DevOps
Node.jsTypeScriptReactSolidityHardhatEthersWalletConnectVercelDocker

About

The Web3 user experience is notoriously fragmented and complex. Navigating multiple dApps, managing different wallets across various chains, and the ever-present fear of scams create significant barriers for retail users, keeping them on centralized exchanges where the most lucrative on-chain opportunities are inaccessible.

To address these challenges, I co-founded Zaap.exchange in 2023 with a partner. Our vision was to create a non-custodial, retail-focused gateway that would abstract away the complexities of cross-chain DeFi. We began by building a powerful MVP focused on the most immediate user need: simple, one-click cross-chain swaps.

The vision was to build a platform that would allow your grandmother to trade on-chain without even knowing it.

Work

  • [x] Developed the core Solidity smart contracts that served as the on-chain entry point, orchestrating a flexible sequence of actions and managing on-chain fees for the platform. The contract handled an optional Permit2 approval, a conditional source-chain swap via Uniswap, bridging with Stargate, and a final conditional swap on the destination chain.
  • [x] Built the cross-chain routing engine in TypeScript. Its logic found the optimal path by identifying the best bridgeable asset (e.g., a stablecoin) and planning the full sequence: an optional source-chain swap, the Stargate bridge, and an optional destination-chain swap.
  • [x] Created a multi-chain compatible frontend by forking and extending the Uniswap interface, building a seamless user experience that included real-time status tracking for cross-chain swaps.
  • [x] Designed the future vision for the full platform, including features like on-chain DCA, a unified asset dashboard, and seamless self-custody onboarding.

Results

  • Successfully delivered a production-ready MVP for a cross-chain swap solution, fully functional on supported chains.
  • Proved the technical feasibility of a one-click, atomic cross-chain swap that abstracted away the complexity of DEXes and bridges for the end-user.
  • Established the complete technical and product foundation for the project1, which was paused before a planned fundraising round due to personal reasons on my co-founder's side.

Resources

  1. Zaap.exchange Pitch Deck (Pitch Deck)

This project successfully delivered a functional MVP for a one-click cross-chain swap solution, laying the complete groundwork for a next-generation, retail-focused DeFi gateway.