What is Cronos? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Cronos at a glance.

Cronos launched in November 2021 as the EVM chain of the Crypto.com ecosystem, built on Cosmos SDK so it inherits both EVM compatibility and Cosmos IBC cross-chain messaging.

Total value locked (DeFi)

$281.4M

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Cronos. Updated Jun 2, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

CRO

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live CRO price.

How it works

How Cronos works.

Cronos uses Tendermint Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus with a permissioned set of validators operating under a Proof of Authority model, which enables fast block finality in around five seconds. The CRO token is used for gas fees and staking within the ecosystem.

Consensus: Tendermint BFT with Proof of Authority

Cronos uses Tendermint Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus with a permissioned set of validators operating under a Proof of Authority model, which enables fast block finality in around five seconds. The CRO token is used for gas fees and staking within the ecosystem.

EVM compatible

Any Ethereum smart contract or dApp can be deployed on Cronos without modification, giving developers access to existing Solidity tooling and audited codebases.

IBC interoperability

Built on Cosmos SDK, Cronos supports the Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol, allowing assets to move between Cronos and other IBC-enabled Cosmos chains.

Low fees

Gas fees are paid in CRO and are typically well under one cent, making it practical for small transactions and frequent interactions.

Ecosystem bridge

A native bridge connects Cronos to the Crypto.com app and to Ethereum, enabling users to move assets across networks without third-party custodians.

Ecosystem & usage

What Cronos is used for.

Cronos serves a large user base drawn from the Crypto.com mobile app ecosystem. DeFi, NFTs, and gaming protocols have launched on the chain, attracted by the combination of EVM compatibility and low transaction costs.

DefiLlama

DeFi trading and lending

DEXs, lending protocols, and yield products operate on Cronos with sub-cent fees, accessible to Crypto.com app users without a network switch.

NFT marketplaces

A range of NFT projects and marketplaces operate on Cronos, benefiting from low minting and transfer costs.

Gaming and Web3 apps

On-chain games and consumer dApps deploy on Cronos to reach users who already hold CRO from the Crypto.com ecosystem.

Cross-chain liquidity

IBC support lets liquidity flow between Cronos and Cosmos-native chains, broadening what assets are available on-chain.

Top protocols by TVL · updated Jun 2, 2026

Tectonic · Lending$120.5M

VVS Standard · Dexs$109.4M

Moonlander · Derivatives$29.3M

Veno Finance · Liquid Staking$23.5M

Crypto.com Liquid Staking · Liquid Staking$20.1M

In the Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend CRO.

Cronos is integrated in the Zypto App. Hold CRO in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold CRO in Zypto How to buy CRO

Be the reason Cronos ships next.

Cronos isn’t in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

Is Cronos the same as the Crypto.com Chain?

Cronos and the Crypto.com App Chain are separate networks that share the CRO token. Cronos is the EVM-compatible chain; the App Chain is a separate Cosmos chain focused on settlement.

Does Cronos use Ethereum or Cosmos technology?

Both. It runs the Ethereum Virtual Machine for smart contracts and is built on Cosmos SDK for consensus and IBC interoperability.

How do I bridge assets to Cronos?

The Cronos Bridge supports transfers from Ethereum and from Cosmos IBC chains. The Crypto.com app also provides a direct path for users holding CRO there.

What is CRO used for?

CRO is the native gas token on Cronos, used to pay transaction fees. It is also staked and used within the broader Crypto.com product suite.

Can I hold CRO in the Zypto App?

Not yet. CRO isn't in the Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Cronos using the "Request Cronos" button above.

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