ApeChain has announced plans to replace LayerZero with Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), making Chainlink its main cross-chain infrastructure provider across the Yuga Labs ecosystem.
The migration will cover APE, USDC and other important assets, which will move to Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Token (CCT) standard.
Chainlink confirmed that ApeChain is phasing out its existing cross-chain solution and making CCIP its official infrastructure. The initial focus will include Bored Ape Yacht Club use cases, ApeChain and the APE token.
ApeCoin also confirmed the change in a separate announcement, stating that it would move from LayerZero to Chainlink CCIP as its main cross-chain system.
The upgrade is intended to make it easier for applications, communities and digital assets across the ecosystem to connect and move between different blockchains.
Under its previous setup, ApeChain used LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) standard for APE transfers. This system allowed users to move tokens between supported blockchains by reducing the balance on the sending network and crediting the same amount on the receiving network.
ApeChain’s documentation lists APE as available across several networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Solana, HyperEVM, BNB Smart Chain, Monad and Robinhood. However, the latest announcement does not provide a complete list of networks that will support the new CCIP setup.
ApeChain is built as an Arbitrum Orbit network and uses APE as its native gas token.
Under Chainlink’s CCT standard, token issuers can connect their assets to CCIP while maintaining control over token contracts, transfer settings and cross-chain configurations.
The system supports different methods for moving tokens. One approach burns tokens on the sending blockchain and creates an equivalent amount on the receiving network. Another method locks tokens on one network and creates a corresponding representation elsewhere, while some setups release existing liquidity at the destination.
ApeChain and Chainlink have not yet explained which method will be used for each supported asset.
Chainlink says its infrastructure allows applications and bridge services to connect through a single integration instead of building separate connections for every token. Token issuers can also set transfer limits for individual blockchain routes.
The protocol includes a registry that connects each supported token with its administrator and assigned token pool. These pools manage the actual movement of assets between networks.
Cross-chain transfer fees will depend on several factors, including the source and destination blockchains, network gas costs, message size, verification requirements and token pool settings.
However, neither company has announced a specific fee structure for ApeChain’s new setup. They have also not provided details about potential revenue from the migration or any LINK staking requirement for APE holders.
Chainlink’s security system uses multiple independent node operators to verify cross-chain transactions. Its standard configuration requires at least nine signed confirmations from a group of 16 node operators. The protocol also supports transfer limits and security reviews for important upgrades.
The move follows similar decisions by other blockchain ecosystems to adopt Chainlink CCIP.
Ronin completed its migration from its previous bridge infrastructure in April 2025, moving more than $450 million in assets to CCIP. Its migration included 12 assets, such as AXS, PIXEL, SLP, YGG, USDC, WETH and WBTC.
Lombard also announced a move to Chainlink in May 2026, selecting CCIP for more than $1 billion in Bitcoin-backed assets, including LBTC and BTC.b.
In July, Mantle completed the migration of its $2.5 billion Super Portal to Chainlink’s cross-chain infrastructure.
Despite announcing the transition, ApeChain has not provided a migration deadline, a date for shutting down LayerZero support or instructions for existing token holders. It also remains unclear whether users will need to swap their tokens, transfer their balances manually or receive an automatic upgrade.
For now, holders should wait for official migration instructions before taking any action with their existing APE or USDC tokens.