Polkadot has launched the XCM messaging system, which allows the communication between different parachains:
“The XCM (cross-consensus messaging) format means that the main goal of the Polkadot network is to be a fully interoperable multi-channel ecosystem — done.”
The developers note that messages via XCM channels are protected at the same level as the Relay Chain, the central hub of the network that all parallel blockchains use. They say:
“Parachains that support a wide variety of use cases and protocols will be able to use XCM to transfer assets or data between themselves.”
XCM allows not only parachains to communicate, but also smart contracts and Substrate runtime modules.
In a future iteration there will reportedly be no need to store data on the Relay Chain.
