What is Axelar?
Axelar is a cross-chain communication network that enables blockchains to pass messages and transfer tokens between ecosystems.
Axelar's role in Squid's history
Squid's original intent protocol, Coral, used Axelar's General Message Passing (GMP) technology as its primary execution layer. When users swapped between chains, Axelar handled the cross-chain coordination. This architecture allowed Squid to scale to billions in transaction volume across EVM and Cosmos chains.
Axelar's role today
With the launch of Squid Intents, Squid now runs its own TEE-based settlement infrastructure. Axelar is no longer Squid's primary execution backbone, it is one of several layers Squid uses alongside multiple others. For swaps routed through Squid Intents, Axelar is not involved in execution.
The difference between Squid and Axelar
Axelar is infrastructure: a network that enables chains to communicate. Squid is an application that routes swaps and settles them, using its own protocol (Squid Intents), Axelar, Chainflip, CCTP, IBC, and other components depending on the route.