ApeChain plans to replace LayerZero with Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) across the Yuga Labs ecosystem. APE and USDC are set for an upgrade to Chainlink Cross-Chain Tokens, but holder migration steps and a legacy shutdown date remain unannounced.
ApeChain plans to replace LayerZero with Chainlink's CCIP as the canonical system for moving assets across chains in the Yuga Labs ecosystem, including Bored Ape Yacht Club. The verified ApeCoin account announced the plan on Nov. 4.
The account said APE, USDC and other key ApeChain assets are being upgraded to Chainlink Cross-Chain Tokens (CCTs). According to ApeCoin: "We will be migrating from LayerZero to Chainlink CCIP as our canonical cross-chain stack." Chainlink also said ApeChain is deprecating its legacy cross-chain solution.
What Chainlink's directory already shows
Chainlink's mainnet directory lists outbound ApeChain routes to Arbitrum One, Base, Ethereum and Polygon at version 2.0.0, plus a Solana route at version 1.6.0, The Defiant reported. However, the directory lists one ApeChain token pool, for LINK, and none for APE or USDC. Those listings do not establish that the announced asset migration is complete, according to the same report.
ApeChain is an Arbitrum Orbit network that uses APE to pay transaction fees, according to its documentation as cited by The Defiant.
Open questions for APE and USDC holders
Neither announcement specifies whether existing balances will be upgraded automatically or will require a swap or rebridging, The Defiant reported. The posts also give no deadline for shutting down LayerZero transfers.
Crypto Briefing reported that in April 2026 a LayerZero-powered bridge connected to Kelp DAO was exploited, draining approximately $292 million. By July 2026, over $7.2 billion in assets had migrated from LayerZero infrastructure to Chainlink CCIP, the outlet said.
Sources: The Defiant, Crypto Briefing
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