Axelar Network is a decentralized interoperability network for transferring tokens and sending messages between blockchains. Developers use its General Message Passing infrastructure to connect smart contracts across networks, and its Interchain Token Service to deploy and manage multichain tokens.
Products and network
The network's tools include gateways, developer documentation and the Mobius Development Stack. Axelar also provides a user-facing transfer and swap interface. It introduced that interface in May 2026; current users connect a wallet rather than create a conventional exchange account. Supported routes and assets depend on the connected chains and the chosen application.
History and contributors
Axelar's mainnet launched in 2022. Its initial developer, Interop Labs, was founded by Sergey Gorbunov and Georgios Vlachos, as described in its 2025 regulatory submission announcement. Axelar is an open-source network with contributions from multiple teams, validators and ecosystem participants.
In December 2025, Interop Labs announced an agreement for its team and proprietary intellectual property to join Circle. The announcement explicitly distinguished that transaction from Axelar Network, the Axelar Foundation and the AXL token, which remained independent and community governed. It identified Common Prefix as the contributor taking a leading development role following closing. Axelar's official account subsequently highlighted Common Prefix's lead stewardship of the network.
The network and its contributing organizations are distinct from the AXL token. Token ownership does not by itself represent equity in Interop Labs, Circle or the Axelar Foundation.
