Recently, someone complained again about issues with cross-chain bridges, so I took the opportunity to review the IBC message-passing protocol. To put it simply, a single cross-chain transfer isn't just "click and go"; you're actually trusting that: both chains won't malfunction, the light client/proof of validation won't be forged, the relayer won't slack off, and the application layer's contract logic isn't maliciously written. Missing any one of these links can cause delays or distortions.

I'm not regretful about the outcome, but about the fact that I used to think "it's all part of the big ecosystem, it should be stable," and I was too lazy to see who I was actually trusting... Now, seeing the disputes over MEV and fair ordering, with miners/validators under increasing income pressure, who knows if someone might have malicious intentions. Anyway, I'm still the same: I avoid cross-chain transfers if possible; if I must, I do small amounts and batch them, and just wait it out.