Execute Multi-Chain Transactions with One Signature

What is multi-chain execution?

Multi-chain execution allows you to perform operations across multiple blockchains in a single, coordinated flow. Instead of manually switching networks, bridging assets, and executing separate transactions, everything happens with one signature.

Traditional Multi-Chain:
1. Sign tx on Ethereum      → Wait for confirmation
2. Bridge to Arbitrum       → Wait 10+ minutes
3. Switch to Arbitrum       → Sign tx
4. Execute on Arbitrum      → Wait for confirmation
Total: 4 signatures, multiple waits, manual coordination

With Biconomy Multi-Chain:
1. Sign once → Automatic execution across all chains
Total: 1 signature, automated coordination

How does multi-chain execution work?

Biconomy’s Multi-chain Execution Environment (MEE) orchestrates cross-chain operations:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Supertransaction                           │
│  ┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐        │
│  │ Instruction │   │ Instruction │   │ Instruction │        │
│  │  Chain A    │──▶│   Bridge    │──▶│  Chain B    │        │
│  └─────────────┘   └─────────────┘   └─────────────┘        │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                           │
                    Single Signature
                           │
           ┌───────────────┼───────────────┐
           ▼               ▼               ▼
    ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
    │  Execute    │ │  Monitor    │ │  Execute    │
    │  Chain A    │ │   Bridge    │ │  Chain B    │
    └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘

The process:

Build: Define operations across chains
Quote: Get execution cost and timing estimates
Sign: User signs once for entire flow
Execute: Biconomy handles coordination
Track: Monitor progress across all chains

Which chains are supported?

Biconomy supports 70+ EVM chains including:

Category	Chains
L1s	Ethereum, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Polygon
Optimistic Rollups	Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Mantle
ZK Rollups	zkSync Era, Polygon zkEVM, Scroll, Linea
Alt L1s	Fantom, Gnosis, Celo

See supported chains for the complete list.Cross-chain routes are supported between any combination of these chains via integrated bridge providers.

How do I implement multi-chain transactions?

Using AbstractJS SDK:

import { createMeeClient, runtime } from "@biconomy/abstractjs";

const client = await createMeeClient({ account: smartAccount });

// Define multi-chain operation
const quote = await client.getQuote({
  instructions: [
    // Step 1: Swap on Ethereum
    {
      chainId: 1,
      type: "intent",
      intent: "swap",
      params: {
        from: { token: "ETH", amount: "1.0" },
        to: { token: "USDC" }
      }
    },
    // Step 2: Bridge to Base
    {
      type: "intent",
      intent: "bridge",
      params: {
        token: "USDC",
        amount: runtime.outputOf(0), // Use swap output
        fromChain: 1,
        toChain: 8453
      }
    },
    // Step 3: Deposit on Base
    {
      chainId: 8453,
      to: aavePoolBase,
      data: encodeDeposit(runtime.outputOf(1)) // Use bridge output
    }
  ],
  feeToken: { address: "USDC", chainId: 1 }
});

// Execute with single signature
const result = await client.executeQuote(quote);
console.log("Multi-chain tx:", result.hash);

Using Supertransaction API:

curl -X POST "https://api.biconomy.io/v1/quote" \
  -H "x-api-key: $API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "sender": "0x...",
    "instructions": [
      {"chainId": 1, "type": "intent", "intent": "swap", ...},
      {"type": "intent", "intent": "bridge", ...},
      {"chainId": 8453, "to": "0x...", "data": "0x..."}
    ]
  }'

How are bridge routes selected?

Biconomy aggregates multiple bridge providers to find optimal routes:

Provider	Strengths
Across	Fast finality, competitive rates
Stargate	Deep liquidity, many chains
Connext	Trustless, EVM-focused
Hop	L2-optimized, fast
Synapse	Wide chain support

Route selection criteria:

Speed: How quickly funds arrive
Cost: Bridge fees + gas on destination
Reliability: Historical success rate
Liquidity: Available for transaction size

// Get quote with route details
const quote = await client.getQuote({
  instructions: [
    { type: "intent", intent: "bridge", params: {...} }
  ]
});

console.log(quote.bridgeRoute);
// {
//   provider: "Across",
//   estimatedTime: "2-5 minutes",
//   fee: "0.05%",
//   outputAmount: "999.50 USDC"
// }

How do I handle gas on destination chains?

Multi-chain execution requires gas on each destination chain. Biconomy handles this automatically:Option 1: Pay from source chain (Recommended)

const quote = await client.getQuote({
  instructions: [...],
  // Pay all gas from USDC on Ethereum
  feeToken: {
    address: USDC_ADDRESS,
    chainId: 1 // Ethereum
  }
});
// Biconomy converts and allocates gas for all chains

Option 2: Sponsored gas

const quote = await client.getQuote({
  instructions: [...],
  feeToken: { address: "sponsored" }
});
// Your Paymaster covers gas on all chains

Option 3: Pre-funded on each chain

// Ensure smart account has gas tokens on each chain
// Biconomy uses local balance for each chain's gas

How do I track cross-chain execution?

Multi-chain transactions have multiple stages. Track progress with:

const result = await client.executeQuote(quote);

// Poll for status
const status = await client.getExecutionStatus(result.hash);

console.log(status);
// {
//   overall: "in_progress",
//   steps: [
//     { chain: 1, action: "swap", status: "completed", txHash: "0x..." },
//     { chain: "bridge", action: "bridge", status: "in_progress", 
//       estimatedCompletion: "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z" },
//     { chain: 8453, action: "deposit", status: "pending" }
//   ]
// }

// Wait for completion
const finalResult = await client.waitForExecution(result.hash);
console.log("All chains completed:", finalResult);

Webhook notifications:

// Configure webhook for status updates
await client.setWebhook({
  url: "https://your-app.com/api/tx-status",
  events: ["step_completed", "execution_completed", "execution_failed"]
});

What happens if one chain fails?

Biconomy implements safeguards for cross-chain failures:Before bridging:

Transaction reverts atomically
No funds leave source chain
User can retry immediately

After bridging (during destination execution):

Funds arrive on destination chain safely
Destination execution is retried automatically
If retries fail, funds remain in user’s destination account

const result = await client.executeQuote(quote);
const status = await client.getExecutionStatus(result.hash);

if (status.overall === "partial_failure") {
  console.log("Failed step:", status.failedStep);
  console.log("Funds location:", status.fundsLocation);
  
  // Option 1: Retry failed step
  await client.retryStep(result.hash, status.failedStep.index);
  
  // Option 2: Manual recovery
  // Funds are in your account on destination chain
}

How fast is multi-chain execution?

Execution time depends on the chains and bridge used:

Route	Typical Time
Same L2 (e.g., Base → Base)	2-5 seconds
L2 → L2 (e.g., Arbitrum → Base)	1-5 minutes
L1 → L2 (e.g., Ethereum → Base)	2-10 minutes
L2 → L1 (e.g., Arbitrum → Ethereum)	7 days (native) / 5-30 min (fast bridge)

Speed vs. cost tradeoffs:

// Prioritize speed
const fastQuote = await client.getQuote({
  instructions: [...],
  preferences: { priority: "speed" }
});

// Prioritize cost
const cheapQuote = await client.getQuote({
  instructions: [...],
  preferences: { priority: "cost" }
});

What are real-world multi-chain examples?

Example 1: Cross-Chain Yield Farming

// Move funds from Ethereum to higher-yield farm on Base
const instructions = [
  // Withdraw from Aave on Ethereum
  {
    chainId: 1,
    to: aaveEth,
    data: encodeWithdraw(usdc, maxAmount)
  },
  // Bridge to Base
  {
    type: "intent",
    intent: "bridge",
    params: { token: "USDC", fromChain: 1, toChain: 8453 }
  },
  // Deposit to higher-yield protocol on Base
  {
    chainId: 8453,
    to: yieldProtocol,
    data: encodeDeposit(runtime.outputOf(1))
  }
];

Example 2: Cross-Chain NFT Purchase

// Use ETH on Arbitrum to buy NFT listed on Base
const instructions = [
  // Swap ETH to USDC on Arbitrum
  {
    chainId: 42161,
    type: "intent",
    intent: "swap",
    params: { from: "ETH", to: "USDC", amount: "0.5" }
  },
  // Bridge USDC to Base
  {
    type: "intent",
    intent: "bridge",
    params: { token: "USDC", fromChain: 42161, toChain: 8453 }
  },
  // Buy NFT on Base
  {
    chainId: 8453,
    to: nftMarketplace,
    data: encodeBuy(nftAddress, tokenId),
    value: runtime.outputOf(1)
  }
];

Example 3: Multi-Chain Portfolio Rebalancing

// Consolidate assets from multiple chains
const instructions = [
  // Withdraw from Polygon
  { chainId: 137, to: protocolA, data: encodeWithdraw() },
  { type: "intent", intent: "bridge", params: { fromChain: 137, toChain: 1 } },
  
  // Withdraw from Arbitrum
  { chainId: 42161, to: protocolB, data: encodeWithdraw() },
  { type: "intent", intent: "bridge", params: { fromChain: 42161, toChain: 1 } },
  
  // Consolidated deposit on Ethereum
  { chainId: 1, to: mainVault, data: encodeDeposit(totalAmount) }
];

Concepts

How-To Guides

Execute Multi-Chain Transactions with One Signature

Execute Multi-Chain Transactions with One Signature

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Onchain Orchestration

Batched Transactions

Concepts

How-To Guides

​Execute Multi-Chain Transactions with One Signature

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Onchain Orchestration

Batched Transactions

Execute Multi-Chain Transactions with One Signature

Continue learning