# Hub Security

The hub is more critical than relayers; if compromised, all cross-chain assets will be lost. The foremost problem is how to bootstrap hub security. The traditional way is to distribute cross-chain fees to hub security providers using the hub token as the staking asset and gas fee.&#x20;

Other options include paying [restaking security](https://medium.com/oct-network/restaking-the-ac-moment-of-decentralized-trust-6d6cf02618e9) or [interchain-chain security](https://cosmos.network/interchain-security/) with cross-chain fees. Setting up the hub as an L2 is also considerable; cross-chain fees can cover DA and L1 costs.

Regardless of the method used, remember that for a system to be sustainable in the long term, its operating costs must ultimately be borne by its users.&#x20;

* _<mark style="color:blue;">Can a hub be built to match the security level of major settlement chains without a long and expensive bootstrap process? Can users enjoy sound security without paying too much?</mark>_&#x20;

While there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world, there is almost free security if you know where to look.
