Nethermind Shifts Cross-Chain Operations from LayerZero to Chainlink

Nethermind stated the decision followed an extensive internal review of its infrastructure commitments. While the firm did not disclose specific technical findings or financial terms regarding the migration, CEO Daniel Celeda emphasized that the transition aligns with the company’s long-term focus on network reliability. As a node operator, Nethermind will now provide engineering tools and integration support for Chainlink’s CCIP, moving away from its previous role of independently verifying cross-chain messages within the LayerZero ecosystem.

This migration follows a broader industry trend of protocols relocating to Chainlink’s architecture. BitGo recently tapped Chainlink to secure its Wrapped Bitcoin ecosystem, and the state of Wyoming transitioned its Frontier Stable Token to the platform, citing security and disclosure requirements. These shifts occur in the wake of high-profile security incidents, including the $292 million exploit of the Kelp DAO bridge earlier this year. While Nethermind did not link its departure to any specific LayerZero vulnerability, the transition underscores a growing institutional preference for standardized cross-chain security models.