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Symbiosis launched SIS chain for cross-chain swaps
Since the 2025 launch, SIS swaps run on a chain built specifically for them. You'll see how the Symbiosis bridge got faster, why fees dropped, and where $SIS fits in.
Updates
Numbers
Proven performance
TL;DR
Key takeaways
Symbiosis launched the SIS Chain in 2025, a custom L2 hosting all core protocol operations instead of third-party infrastructure.
$SIS becomes the native gas token: every swap, bridge, and cross-chain action consumes $SIS, tying usage to token demand.
The chain runs on Arbitrum Nitro via Caldera, with calldata compression and parallel execution for lower latency.
Settlement happens directly to Ethereum, inheriting its security without new consensus assumptions or trust models.
Developers get custom RPC endpoints, a dedicated explorer, sTokens support, and an Ethereum-like experience built for cross-chain.
3 minute reading
Updates
SIS Chain replaces third-party L2
Later this month, Symbiosis is launching the SIS Chain – a custom-built blockchain that will host all core protocol operations moving forward. As part of this, Symbiosis will transition from relying on third-party Layer 2 infrastructure to running its own dedicated chain. The move brings full operational control, faster upgrade cycles, and better alignment between protocol design and execution. Most importantly, it unlocks tighter integration between token utility and usage – all swaps, bridges, and operations on the SIS Chain will now consume $SIS.
$SIS becomes the SIS Chain’s native gas token
With the launch of the new Symbiosis Host Chain, the $SIS governance token will officially become the native gas token for all protocol operations. Users won’t need to bridge manually – cross-chain swaps and protocol interactions will automatically route through the SIS Chain as part of the backend architecture. Every transaction (whether a swap, bridge, or other cross-chain action) will now consume $SIS as gas. This creates a direct and structural link between usage of the protocol and demand for the $SIS token, reinforcing its utility at the core of the Symbiosis ecosystem.
What you can expect from the SIS Chain
The SIS Chain is purpose-built for cross-chain activity – with fast execution, simple tooling, and native token utility at its core. First, all fees are paid in $SIS. Every swap, bridge, or interaction on the chain consumes $SIS directly, tying protocol usage to real token demand. The more activity on the Symbiosis Protocol, the more $SIS is used – simple as that.
Under the hood, the chain runs on Arbitrum Nitro, giving it the speed and scale of a leading L2. But unlike general-purpose L2s, the SIS Chain infrastructure is fully managed by the Symbiosis team – from the sequencer to the RPC layer. That enables optimization for exactly what cross-chain users need: stable fees, reliable bridging, and zero external dependencies.
Security comes from Ethereum itself. The SIS Chain settles directly to Ethereum, inheriting its trust model without introducing new assumptions or consensus mechanisms. For developers, we’re making things simple: custom RPC endpoints, a dedicated explorer, support for sTokens, and a developer experience that mirrors working on Ethereum – just faster, cheaper, and built for cross-chain from the start.
Why Arbitrum Nitro?
The SIS Chain is built on the Arbitrum Nitro rollup engine – the same core technology that powers Arbitrum One. Nitro unlocks advanced capabilities like calldata compression and parallel execution, delivering lower latency and better scalability out of the box.
To deploy and manage the chain, Symbiosis partnered with Caldera – a Rollup-as-a-Service provider built on Nitro. Caldera handles the core infrastructure stack, including sequencers, explorers, bridges, and governance modules, so the Symbiosis team can focus on protocol-level innovation.
The result is a highly configurable rollup that settles directly to Ethereum, offering stronger security guarantees and a more neutral base layer for cross-chain operations. Compared to general-purpose L2s, the SIS Chain gives the team full control over gas pricing, governance, bridging logic, and upgrade cycles. Caldera’s modular architecture also supports future enhancements like custom data availability layers and Metalayer-based interoperability, laying the foundation for flawless cross-rollup execution.
Final thought
With the SIS Chain, Symbiosis enters a new phase: a chain designed for cross-chain activity, governed and operated by the protocol itself, and powered directly by the $SIS token. It’s faster, leaner, and built to scale with the entire cross-chain economy.
Board Member
FAQs
Got questions?
Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll help you out.
01
What is the SIS Chain?
The SIS Chain is a custom-built blockchain that hosts all core Symbiosis protocol operations. It replaces the prior reliance on third-party Layer 2 infrastructure with a dedicated chain run by the Symbiosis team.
02
Why did Symbiosis launch its own chain?
Running a dedicated chain gives Symbiosis full operational control, faster upgrade cycles, and tighter alignment between protocol design and execution. It also lets every swap and bridge consume $SIS, linking protocol usage directly to token demand.
03
Is $SIS the gas token on the SIS Chain?
Yes. With the launch, $SIS officially becomes the native gas token, so every swap, bridge, or cross-chain action on the chain consumes $SIS as gas instead of any external token.
04
Do users need to bridge $SIS manually for gas?
No. Cross-chain swaps and protocol interactions automatically route through the SIS Chain as part of the backend architecture, so users don't have to bridge $SIS manually to pay gas.
05
What technology powers the SIS Chain?
The SIS Chain runs on the Arbitrum Nitro rollup engine, the same core technology behind Arbitrum One. Nitro brings calldata compression and parallel execution, delivering lower latency and better scalability out of the box.
06
How is the SIS Chain secured?
Security comes from Ethereum. The SIS Chain settles directly to Ethereum, inheriting its trust model without introducing new consensus mechanisms or additional security assumptions.
07
Who operates the SIS Chain infrastructure?
Symbiosis partnered with Caldera, a Rollup-as-a-Service provider built on Nitro, to deploy and manage the chain. Caldera handles sequencers, explorers, bridges, and governance modules, while the Symbiosis team manages the sequencer and RPC layer end-to-end.
08
How does the SIS Chain differ from general-purpose L2s?
Unlike general-purpose L2s, the SIS Chain is fully managed by the Symbiosis team and tuned for cross-chain users, with stable fees, reliable bridging, and zero external dependencies. The team controls gas pricing, governance, bridging logic, and upgrade cycles.
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