# The Chain-Agnostic Token Standard

Nexa is a cross-chain interoperability protocol that makes tokens and NFTs truly **chain-agnostic** and **bridge-agnostic**. 

We have created a new standard for tokens, **Chain-Agnostic Token (CAT),** where tokens are native to multiple chains and fungible across EVM and non-EVM chains. 

Chain-Agnostic Token contracts are **compatible with any bridges** (i.e. message passing protocols) such as Axelar, LayerZero, CCIP and Wormhole.

This industry-defining standard enables tokens to exist in a connected manner across all blockchains, and allows for:

* No funds escrowed in bridging contracts
* No vendor lock-in to message passing protocols. 

Key features include: 

* Token contracts are owned by the token-issuer
* Flexibility to add new blockchains at any time
* Maximum compatibility with message passing protocols to guard against having a single point of failure
* Effortless cross-chain transfers using a burn & mint mechanism for new tokens, and using lock & mint in a proxy contract for existing tokens
* The same token address on all EVM chains 

The **Chain-Agnostic Token (CAT)** standard can be applied to: 

* New tokens 
* Existing tokens
* New NFT collections 
* Existing NFT collections 

Our contracts are fully non-custodial, which means that Nexa never takes custody of project tokens, NFTs or end-user funds. 

Our core products support the creation, transfer and distribution of **Chain-Agnostic Tokens.** 

1. [cat-deployment](https://nexanetwork.gitbook.io/nexa/products/cat-deployment "mention")**:** An interface that allows for tokens and NFTs to be deployed as Chain-Agnostic Tokens (CATs) in minutes. 
2. [cat-bridge](https://nexanetwork.gitbook.io/nexa/products/cat-bridge "mention")**:** A bridge to transfer Chain-Agnostic Tokens (CATs) between chains, using multiple message passing protocols as the underlying infrastructure.