Bridge TVL per validator ratio
A cross-chain & bridge factor in the v1.7.0 rubric. Measured per protocol on a c cadence.
Methodology how we score #
**What this measures** This factor computes the bridge TVL divided by the validator count, expressed in USD per validator. A high ratio indicates that each individual validator controls a disproportionately large amount of locked value, raising the economic incentive for targeted compromise. The value is derived from bridge TVL feeds and the validator count from RD-F-148. This factor applies only to bridge-touching protocols; non-bridge protocols show this factor as N/A.
**Why it matters** TVL-per-validator is a risk concentration metric analogous to TVL-per-multisig-signer in governance contexts (RD-F-028). A bridge with $1B TVL and 3 validators has a $333M-per-validator ratio — an extremely high-value target for nation-state-level or well-funded adversaries. Harmony Bridge had approximately $100M TVL across 5 validators ($20M per validator) when it was compromised. Radiant Capital II secured $53M across 3 required signers from an 11-signer set. As bridge TVL grows without corresponding validator set expansion, the per-validator ratio grows and the economic incentive to compromise individual keys increases proportionally.
**Green / Yellow / Red** Green is scored when the TVL-per-validator ratio is below $10M with a quorum-of-N structure that prevents single-validator compromise from being sufficient. Yellow is scored when the ratio is $10M–$50M per validator. Red is scored when the ratio exceeds $50M per required-quorum validator, or when TVL growth has outpaced any validator-set expansion in the past 12 months.
**Common gray cases** Gray is applied when bridge TVL cannot be reliably attributed to a specific bridge contract due to multi-chain routing architectures.
**Notable historical examples** No cross-hacked incidents are currently linked in the database for this factor.
Measurement what to look for #
Compute bridge TVL divided by validator count as a concentration-of-compromise measure.