Cross-shard communication refers to the process of exchanging information and assets between different shards within a sharded blockchain network. Sharding is a technique used to improve scalability by dividing the blockchain into smaller, more manageable pieces called shards. Each shard can process transactions and smart contracts independently.As each shard operates separately, there needs to be a way to facilitate interactions between them. Cross-shard communication ensures that assets and data can flow seamlessly across shards, allowing transactions that involve multiple shards to be executed correctly.For example, if a user wants to transfer an asset from one shard to another, cross-shard communication protocols handle the necessary updates in both shards’ ledgers. This process must be secure and efficient to maintain the overall integrity of the system and ensure that operations between shards are synchronized.Effective cross-shard communication is essential for achieving the benefits of sharding, including reduced congestion and improved transaction speeds, while also ensuring that users can interact with a unified system.