NEAR Protocol launched its much-anticipated Universal Send feature. It introduces a cross-chain payment tool that can route any token to any supported blockchain. The key point is that it can keep key transaction details private.
It is expected that the new feature rollout will simplify user interactions with blockchain. The release mentioned that the new system combines bridging, swapping, and settlement into a single action. However, the details about the sender or transfer amounts remain hidden on public explorers.
This comes in when the global crypto market witnessed a minor recovery in altcoins. Bitcoin remained stuck around the $73k levels while NEAR printed a green index. Its price jumped by more than 3% in the last 24 hours. NEAR is traded at $2.43 at the press time.
NEAR Intents tops $18B volume
According to reports, Universal Send is built on NEAR Intents. It mentioned that the protocol’s intent-based execution layer has processed over $18 billion in cumulative volume.
In an X post, NEAR highlighted that users scan a QR code, choose a token, and confirm payment. The system will handle conversion and routing. In the end, the recipient gets funds in the requested asset, regardless of the origin chain.
To send a payment:
– Open https://t.co/YBUSFVdjxE
– Scan a merchant QR code
– Pay with what you haveThe merchant receives the asset they want.https://t.co/YBUSFVdjxE handles the swap + routing automatically.
One confirmation. Confidential by default.
— NEAR Protocol (@NEARProtocol) May 28, 2026
It added that the settlement is handled via competing third-party “solvers.” They carry out user-defined intents and finalize the transactions on-chain. The protocol compares this privacy model to single-chain confidential systems like Zcash. However, it operates across multiple blockchains.
Analysts debate NEAR’s solver-based model
Security researchers and bridge analysts had reportedly described intent-based systems as a huge change from traditional bridging. They also noted that TEE-based privacy introduces a different trust model.
It highlighted that a 2026 risk assessment done by Hindenrank found that NEAR Intents can land in the “moderate risk” category. This is due to the freshness of cross-chain verification systems. However, it also relies on external execution agents and despite audits of key components.
Another researcher at LeoDex posted that this design lowers on-chain attack risks. It’s like MEV and frontrunning by shifting execution off-chain. They still depend on solver honesty.
Universal Send is combining execution abstraction with privacy in a single layer. On the other side, Liquidity-based bridges like THORChain execute swaps on-chain via liquidity pools. This makes transactions visible and prices dependent on pool depth.
There are privacy-focused networks like Zcash, too. They offer strong cryptographic protection but are limited to single-chain use. Meanwhile, Coin mixers such as Tornado Cash obscure transaction histories after execution. It does not even support native cross-chain settlement.
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