# Introduction - What is Escher.Finance

**Escher.Finance is redefining liquid staking and cross-chain interaction with its innovative chain-abstracted solution.** Built on Union and Nomos, Escher enables users to stake, liquid stake, and re-stake assets across multiple blockchain ecosystems—all without leaving their native chain. By removing the complexities of managing multiple wallets and gas tokens, Escher delivers a seamless user experience, making decentralized finance more accessible for individuals and institutions alike.

At its core, Escher leverages the **hidden layer** concept to power **decentralized, secure, and flexible staking operations**. This architecture allows users to stake directly from any supported chain—such as **staking from Base to Celestia**—without needing direct interaction with the target network. Users retain **full ownership** of their staking positions, which can be **tokenized, traded, or used as collateral**.

Built on **IBC interoperability**, Escher seamlessly connects **Ethereum, Cosmos SDK chains, and emerging networks like Solana and Berachain**, bridging liquidity and staking opportunities across ecosystems.

Escher is more than just a staking solution—it’s an interoperability layer that **unifies fragmented blockchain ecosystems**. By enabling chains to tap into **Ethereum’s liquidity** and unlocking **new DeFi opportunities** for users, Escher strengthens both network security and capital efficiency. This **user-centric, interoperable, and flexible** approach makes Escher the foundation for the next evolution of blockchain connectivity and decentralized finance.