How to Bridge to Arbitrum
Key Takeaways
- Arbitrum is a popular Layer 2 solution for Ethereum, launched in 2021 by Offchain Labs, offering faster and cheaper transactions via optimistic rollups.
- The Arbitrum network’s native token, $ARB, launched in 2023 and is used for governance and incentives but gas fees are paid in ETH.
- By using the Arbitrum or Portal Bridge, users can not only bridge assets from Ethereum to Arbitrum but also enjoy lower transaction fees and interact with dApps.
- Additional bridging options offer flexibility and efficiency for transferring assets, allowing users to easily explore the Arbitrum ecosystem.
Arbitrum is one of the most popular Layer 2 scaling solutions for Ethereum. Developed by Offchain Labs, it launched in August 2021 to enhance the Ethereum network’s capabilities. The native token $ARB launched in March 2023 and has a market cap of more than $2 billion.
Arbitrum’s mission is to offer faster, cheaper, and more efficient transactions by leveraging optimistic rollups, something that has attracted a wealth of developer activity. Over the past three years, Arbitrum has become a popular ecosystem for over 400 protocols, including decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, games, NFT projects and applications. You could say it offers a miniature Web3, with lower gas fees.
This ecosystem runs on ARB tokens, which are used for governance and incentives on the Arbitrum network. However, as an Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain, gas fees on Arbitrum are still paid in ETH. In other words, to start utilizing Arbitrum’s low-cost, fast transaction environment, you will need to have both ARB and ETH in your wallet. An easy way to do this is by simply bridging some of your ETH, creating synthetic ARB tokens without the hassle of using an exchange.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of bridging your ETH to Arbitrum and explore the different available options.
How To Bridge to Arbitrum
Before we tackle how you can bridge to Arbitrum it’s worth explaining what a bridge is. A blockchain bridge is a specific protocol that enables the transfer of tokens and assets from one blockchain to another. Bridging allows users to transfer their existing assets onto a different network.
In the case of Arbitrum, users can transfer their assets from the Ethereum mainnet or other chains to the Arbitrum network. Consequently, they can interact with decentralized applications (dApps) and access lower transaction fees. The bridging process provides flexibility, as users can keep their Ethereum-based assets but utilize Arbitrum’s scaling advantages.
There are several options when it comes to bridging assets to Arbitrum. Let’s start with the two most popular methods: the Arbitrum Bridge and Portal Bridge.
Bridge to Arbitrum Using Arbitrum Bridge
The Arbitrum Bridge is the official bridge created by Offchain Labs, specifically for transferring assets from Ethereum to the Arbitrum network. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it:
- Connect Your Wallet: Visit the Arbitrum Bridge and connect your Ethereum-compatible wallet.
- Select the Asset: Choose the asset you want to bridge. Make sure it’s supported by the Arbitrum network.
- Enter the Amount: Specify the amount you want to bridge from Ethereum to Arbitrum.
- Bridge the Asset: Click on “Move Funds to Arbitrum” and confirm the transaction in your wallet. You’ll need to pay an Ethereum gas fee for this step.
- View Your Assets on Arbitrum: Switch your wallet’s network to Arbitrum One to view and manage your bridged assets.
Using the Arbitrum Bridge is straightforward and secure, making it an excellent choice for first-time users. In addition, you can also bridge assets back from Arbitrum to Ethereum. Aside from Arbitrum, you can bridge assets to Arbitrum Nova and any other chain using Arbitrum technology such as Gravity Alpha, XCHAIN, and others. Despite that, the Arbitrum bridge might not be the most efficient option available.
Bridge to Arbitrum Using Portal Bridge
Another popular option is the Portal Bridge by Wormhole, a cross-chain protocol that supports multiple blockchains, including Arbitrum. Here’s how to bridge assets using the Portal Bridge:
- Connect Your Wallet: Go to the Portal Bridge website. Connect your wallet.
- Select the Source and Target Networks: In the “From” section, select Ethereum. In the “To” section, choose Arbitrum as the target network.
- Choose the Asset: Pick the token you want to transfer from the supported list.
- Enter the Amount and Confirm: Input the amount you wish to transfer and approve the transaction in your wallet. Note that a gas fee on Ethereum will apply.
- Bridge Your Asset: The bridging process may take some time depending on network activity.
- View Bridged Assets: Finally, switch your wallet to the Arbitrum network to check the status and view your tokens.
Lastly, the Portal Bridge provides the flexibility of bridging assets between different blockchains and Arbitrum, making it a versatile choice for managing multiple cross-chain transactions.
Other Popular Arbitrum Bridges
Apart from the Arbitrum Bridge and Portal Bridge, several other blockchain bridges can connect you to the Arbitrum ecosystem. These include:
- Hop Protocol: Hop offers fast, efficient bridging for Ethereum, Arbitrum, and other Layer 2 networks. It is a popular choice for users who want to quickly transfer assets without high gas fees.
- Celer Network: Known for its Celer Bridge, Celer Network supports low-cost transfers across Ethereum, Arbitrum, and other blockchains. It offers fast settlement times and a seamless user experience.
- Orbiter Finance: A decentralized cross-rollup bridge facilitating the transfers of Ethereum assets. Orbiter Finance supports over 50 blockchains and offers competitive fees.
- Swoop Exchange: A meta-aggregator, combining more than 10 DEX aggregators across 17 blockchains. Swoop Exchange also has a bridge, allowing users to easily transfer assets.
Each of these bridges offers distinct advantages, such as reduced fees or faster transaction times. Choose the bridge that best suits your needs based on the type of asset you want to transfer.
Closing Thoughts
To start interacting with the Arbitrum ecosystem and make use of its low-cost transactions and high throughput, users have to transfer their assets to the Arbitrum Layer 2. Bridging assets from other networks such as Ethereum and other Layer 2s is one way to do that. It’s great for any users who want to retain self-custody of their holdings and avoid the fees and risks associated with centralized exchanges.
While the official Arbitrum Bridge was the first of its kind, there are now plenty of alternatives. Bridging options such as Hop Protocol, Celer Network, and others give users flexibility in transferring assets quickly and efficiently. Whether you are a new user or a seasoned trader, understanding how to bridge to Arbitrum is essential to unlock the potential of the popular Layer 2 scaling solution.
