All terms
Sending instructions, not just assets, between blockchains.
Moving tokens between chains is the well known case. The more general capability is sending arbitrary messages, so a contract on one chain can trigger an action on another.
This enables governance votes that execute across networks, collateral on one chain backing a loan on another, and applications that span several chains while presenting as one. It also multiplies the attack surface considerably.
A DAO could vote on Ethereum and have the result automatically execute a treasury action on Arbitrum.
That cross chain messaging is the same as bridging. Bridging moves an asset; messaging carries an instruction one chain acts on. Messaging is more powerful and the trust question is the same: who is telling you the message is genuine.
Common questions
What can cross chain messaging do that a bridge cannot?
Is cross chain messaging safe?
Where to go next
More web3 terms
Want this explained out loud?
Some of these land faster in conversation than in writing. Sessions are one to one and you can ask anything, including the things that feel too obvious to ask.