> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pfbridge.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Makers and Bridgers: understanding ProofBridge roles

> ProofBridge has two roles: Makers who provide cross-chain liquidity and Bridgers who transfer assets. Learn how each role works and how they interact.

Every cross-chain transfer on ProofBridge involves two parties: a **Maker** who provides liquidity on the destination chain, and a **Bridger** who wants to move assets from one chain to another. Neither party needs to trust the other — settlement is enforced by zero-knowledge proofs on-chain.

## The two roles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Maker" icon="droplet">
    A liquidity provider who locks tokens on the destination chain and earns the Bridger's source tokens when the trade settles. Makers post liquidity ads to the marketplace to attract Bridgers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bridger" icon="bridge">
    A user who wants to transfer assets across chains. Bridgers deposit source tokens, select a matching liquidity ad, and receive destination tokens from the Maker's locked liquidity.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How Makers work

As a Maker, you provide liquidity for a specific cross-chain route — for example, wETH on Stellar in exchange for ETH on Sepolia. You post a **liquidity ad** specifying the token pair, available amount, and exchange rate. When a Bridger selects your ad, your funds are locked against that specific order and released to the Bridger upon settlement.

In return, you receive the Bridger's deposited source tokens. This means you earn by facilitating cross-chain transfers rather than by charging fees out of band.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a liquidity ad">
    Connect your wallet and post an ad on the [ProofBridge app](https://app.pfbridge.xyz/) specifying the source token, destination token, amount, and rate you're willing to accept.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fund the ad">
    Deposit destination-chain tokens into the `AdManager` contract. These tokens are held on-chain and matched against incoming Bridger orders.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Lock for an order">
    When a Bridger selects your ad, you lock a portion of your funds against that specific order. This reserves liquidity exclusively for that trade.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Receive source tokens at settlement">
    Once the ZK proof is verified on-chain, your designated recipient address receives the Bridger's source tokens automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can keep multiple ads open simultaneously across different token pairs and chains. You can also withdraw unused funds from an ad at any time before it is matched.
</Tip>

## How Bridgers work

As a Bridger, you select a liquidity ad that matches your desired route, then deposit your source tokens into the `OrderPortal` contract. The relayer handles proof generation in the background — you don't need to understand ZK cryptography to use ProofBridge.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Browse the marketplace">
    Open the [ProofBridge app](https://app.pfbridge.xyz/) and filter liquidity ads by source chain, destination chain, token pair, and rate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deposit source tokens">
    Select an ad and submit your deposit. If you're bridging native ETH or XLM, it is automatically wrapped on deposit. You'll sign a typed order that cryptographically binds the trade terms to both chains.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for settlement">
    The relayer detects your deposit, generates a ZK proof, and submits it to both chains. No further action is required on your part.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Receive destination tokens">
    Once the proof is verified, your destination tokens are released directly to your specified recipient address on the destination chain.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  No registration is required. Your connected wallet is your identity on ProofBridge.
</Note>

## Comparing the two roles

|                       | Maker                                           | Bridger                               |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Primary action**    | Posts liquidity ads                             | Selects ads and deposits tokens       |
| **What you lock**     | Destination-chain tokens                        | Source-chain tokens                   |
| **What you receive**  | Bridger's source tokens                         | Maker's destination tokens            |
| **Who sets the rate** | Maker (in the ad)                               | Bridger (accepts or rejects)          |
| **On-chain contract** | `AdManager`                                     | `OrderPortal`                         |
| **Risk**              | Liquidity locked until settlement or withdrawal | Funds locked until proof verification |

## Settlement: how both parties receive their tokens

Settlement is simultaneous and trustless. The relayer generates a single ZK proof and submits it to both chains. The `Verifier` contract on each chain independently validates the proof, then releases funds to the appropriate recipient — the Bridger on the destination chain and the Maker on the source chain. Neither party can receive funds without the other, which eliminates counterparty risk.

<Info>
  The relayer cannot steal funds. It can only submit valid proofs to contracts that enforce the exact trade terms both parties agreed to.
</Info>