Garden Bridge FAQs

Question 1

How do swaps on Garden work?

Accepted Answer

Garden uses atomic cross-chain intents powered by Hashed Time-Locked Contracts (HTLCs). A user signs an intent specifying a desired swap, which is matched with an independent solver via an order book. User locks funds on the source chain and the solver locks funds on destination chain; swap completes only when the user redeems on destination chain by revealing a preimage, which atomically enables the solver to redeem as well.  If either the user or the solver fails to complete their part, the swap automatically reverts and funds are returned to their original owners. All settlement is enforced by smart contracts, no third party, including Garden, ever takes custody of funds, and the entire process is abstracted behind a simple user interface.

Question 2

What if my transaction fails?

Accepted Answer

Garden only processes your deposit once a matching order is found. If the transaction isn't confirmed within one hour of order creation, it's automatically canceled, and the deposit is refunded instantly.

Question 3

What is an Order ID?

Accepted Answer

An Order ID is a unique identifier for your swap on the Garden orderbook. It serves as your transaction reference number and can be used to track or verify swap progress on the explorer.

Question 4

What happens if I send more or less BTC than required?

Accepted Answer

Orders within ±3% variance auto-adjust destination amounts and proceed; in cases of variance above ±3% an instant refund is triggered automatically.

Question 5

How long do swaps take?

Accepted Answer

Most swaps complete within minutes. Bitcoin to EVM or non-EVM swaps take about 2–5 minutes; swaps from EVM/non-EVM chains to Bitcoin usually settle in 30 seconds or less.

Question 6

Is Garden centralized?

Accepted Answer

Garden is fully decentralized and non-custodial. Funds are always in user-controlled wallets, and all swaps are executed via smart contracts that enforce atomic settlement.

Question 7

Is Garden audited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Garden's smart contracts and solver infrastructure have been audited by leading security firms, including Trail of Bits, OtterSec, and Zellic.

Question 8

How does Garden ensure trustless swaps?

Accepted Answer

Every transaction uses atomic settlement through HTLCs. If either the user or the solver fails to complete their side of the swap, both assets are automatically returned; no third party, including Garden, ever controls funds.

Question 9

What if a solver misbehaves?

Accepted Answer

Solvers must stake 210,000 SEED as collateral to operate. If a solver acts maliciously, becomes inactive, or fails to execute swaps correctly, their stake can be partially or fully slashed, and their solver privileges revoked. This mechanism ensures honesty and performance.

Question 10

How are user funds protected?

Accepted Answer

Garden never holds custody of user funds. Assets remain in user-controlled wallets until the atomic swap conditions are met.

Question 11

What security measures are in place for protocol upgrades?

Accepted Answer

All protocol updates go through community governance and are deployed via audited contracts. Any proposed change must pass a governance vote before implementation.

Question 12

How does Garden monitor addresses for sanctioned activity?

Accepted Answer

Garden’s integrates blockchain intelligence from TRM Labs, along with Binance and Bybit sanction APIs. These systems analyze on-chain data and global regulatory lists (including OFAC, EU, and UN) to detect addresses associated with sanctioned entities, stolen funds, or other restricted activity.  Screening occurs automatically when a user submits a swap intent through the Garden UI. If a wallet is identified as sanctioned or high-risk, the UI blocks the user from interacting with the protocol.  In addition, independent solvers that fulfill intents operate their own AML and wallet screening processes, and may apply additional compliance checks before choosing to execute a transaction.

Question 13

Why does Garden perform these checks?

Accepted Answer

These checks ensure that the Garden interface aligns with global compliance standards and prevents interaction from sanctioned entities. The solutions used are industry-standard tools widely adopted by other leading dApps and exchanges.

Question 14

Why was my wallet blocked & what can I do if I believe this is a mistake?

Accepted Answer

If your wallet was blocked on the Garden interface, it means one of our compliance partners flagged it as linked to a sanctioned or restricted entity.  If you believe your wallet was flagged in error, raise a ticket in our Discord server with your wallet address for review.  Please note that Garden does not control the independent risk assessments made by these compliance partners and cannot directly override their classifications.

Question 15

Does this mean Garden is centralized?

Accepted Answer

The underlying protocol, smart contracts, and solver network remain fully decentralized and non-custodial.  Garden performs AML/wallet risk assessment screening at the UI level using TRM Labs, Binance, and Bybit sanction APIs. If a wallet is identified as sanctioned or high-risk, UI blocks the user from interacting with the protocol.

Question 16

Does Garden collect KYC or personal information?

Accepted Answer

Garden does not perform KYC, all checks are wallet address based. The protocol remains privacy preserving and non-custodial. Please read the Privacy Policy for more details on information collected by Garden.

Question 17

How can developers integrate Garden swaps?

Accepted Answer

Developers can access public APIs and SDK to integrate Garden swaps directly into their apps or wallets. The documentation provides code examples for multiple environments.

Question 18

What languages are supported?

Accepted Answer

Garden provides JavaScript/TypeScript SDKs and REST APIs.

Question 19

Is there a sandbox or testnet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Developers can test integrations using Garden's testnet environment with test tokens before deploying live on mainnet.

Question 20

Can third-party frontends use Garden liquidity?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Garden’s liquidity is open and permissionless; any frontend can route swap orders to Garden.

Question 21

Where can I find technical documentation?

Accepted Answer

Full developer docs, SDK guides, and APIs are available at docs.garden.finance.

Question 22

Who can participate in governance?

Accepted Answer

Anyone staking at least 2,100 SEED can vote on proposals, with voting power determined by staked amount and lock duration.

Question 23

How are proposals created?

Accepted Answer

Any community member can start by creating a Temp Check on forum.garden.finance. Once a Temp Check receives at least 10 upvotes/likes, anyone holding 500 votes can submit a formal proposal on Snapshot.

Question 24

What can governance decide?

Accepted Answer

Governance votes influence protocol upgrades, fee distribution, emission schedules, and solver incentives.

Question 25

How is voting power calculated?

Accepted Answer

Voting power = staked SEED × lock duration multiplier. Longer lock periods yield higher voting influence.

Question 26

Where can I see past proposals?

Accepted Answer

All governance activity and proposal history can be viewed on Snapshot.

Question 27

What are solvers?

Accepted Answer

Solvers are specialized operators that process user intents and execute cross-chain swaps efficiently. They form the backbone of Garden's transaction infrastructure.

Question 28

How can I become a solver?

Accepted Answer

Solvers must stake 210,000 SEED as collateral. This stake aligns solvers with the network’s goals and acts as a safeguard against dishonesty or inefficiency.  - Technical infrastructure: Solvers should have the ability to run arbitrage bots, manage liquidity, and maintain 24/7 operational uptime to meet intent execution demands.  - Liquidity management: Adequate liquidity and rebalancing tools are essential for efficient execution across supported chains.

Question 29

What do solvers earn?

Accepted Answer

Solvers earn a fee on every swap they execute. The fee is set by the solver based on competition and market demand for a specific route, typically ranging between 0.1%–0.3% of the swap amount.

Question 30

What ensures solver reliability?

Accepted Answer

The staked SEED collateral acts as insurance; misbehavior, inefficiency, or downtime can lead to partial or full slashing and solver suspension.

Question 31

Can solvers support multiple chains?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Solvers can operate across any supported chain, as long as they maintain the necessary infrastructure and liquidity.

Question 32

What is SEED?

Accepted Answer

SEED is Garden's governance and utility token. Holders can stake SEED to earn protocol rewards, participate in governance, and operate solver nodes.

Question 33

How much is required to stake?

Accepted Answer

Minimum staking starts at 2,100 SEED for governance participation, while operating a solver requires 210,000 SEED.

Question 34

What rewards do stakers earn?

Accepted Answer

Stakers earn a share of solver revenue proportional to their stake and lock duration. Current APY averages around {{globalApy}}%.

Question 35

What is the Gardener Pass?

Accepted Answer

Minted by staking 21,000 SEED indefinitely, the Gardener Pass grants a 7× staking multiplier, enhanced governance power, and exclusive ecosystem benefits.

Question 36

Where can I buy SEED?

Accepted Answer

SEED is available on leading DEXs like Uniswap, CowSwap, PancakeSwap, and KyberSwap on both Ethereum and Arbitrum networks.

Question 37

Can I use the Garden logo?

Accepted Answer

Brand assets are open for community usage, but any commercial usage must be approved by the Garden team beforehand. Please reach out for permission before using logos in monetized or promotional content.

Question 38

Where can I access brand assets?

Accepted Answer

Downloadable logos, color palettes, and media kits are available in the Brand Kit.

Question 39

Are there guidelines for using Garden visuals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Assets must be used in the proper proportions and without modification, as specified in the brand kit. Commercial use requires prior approval.

Question 40

Can I create merch or derivative designs?

Accepted Answer

Community projects are encouraged, but any commercial usage must be approved by the Garden team beforehand.

frequently asked questions

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