Recently, I was asked again about what exactly is the difference between IBC and various bridges. To put it simply, with cross-chain technology, who do you really trust:

One layer is the consensus/validators of each chain, making sure they don’t mess around;
Another layer is the light clients/relays that act as “messengers,” making sure they don’t drop the ball;
And then there are the multi-signature setups, oracles, operational permissions in the bridge, the more it looks like “someone is signing on your behalf,” the more cautious I become.
During airdrop season, task platforms are anti-witchcraft, and points systems are everywhere.
DeFi yield farmers are working so hard it’s like they’re at a job.
I actually prefer not to touch complicated bridges, to avoid crossing a chain and ending up in an unknown trust set.
There’s too much information and it makes me anxious.
My simple approach now is: first ask “If something goes wrong, who can I hold accountable, and can I verify it on-chain?”
If I can’t answer that, I won’t bother.
I’d rather go slow and do less.