There are numerous secure and straightforward ways to bridge to the Base blockchain. You can use the official bridge from Base or opt for cheaper bridges that cost less than a couple of dollars.
Let's explore the different options available, including step-by-step guides to help you quickly start using the fast growing L2 blockchain.
About Base
Base is an Ethereum layer 2 blockchain built by Coinbase to create a secure, low-cost, and scalable ecosystem for developers. The mainnet launched to the general public on August 9, 2023. It's had an overwhelming response, already reaching a total value locked of $400M, according to data from DefiLama.
How to Bridge to Base
There are several cross-chain bridges that let you deposit and withdraw crypto to the Base blockchain, including an official bridge from Coinbase. However, if you want to save on gas fees, there are also other bridge options available. Some of the most popular ones include:
If you've never used a bridge before, all you need is an EVM-compatible wallet such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet and some Ethereum.
What Are The Fees?
Network fees are required to bridge funds. Using Ethereum Mainnet can cost between $5 and $30, depending on how busy the network is. You can use this gas tracker to see the rates right now. However, if you transfer funds using a Layer 2 network or cheaper blockchain such as Arbitrum, Optimism, or Binance Chain, the fees can be as low as $0.10 or a few dollars.
1. Official Base Bridge
Base has an official bridge that allows you to send ETH from Ethereum Mainnet to the Base network. If you want to use the official bridge provided by the team, this is the way to go. However, it will have the highest fees because it only supports Ethereum Mainnet.
Gas fees can range anywhere from $5 to $30, depending on how busy the network is. You can wait until the network is less busy or consider the other options below. Base doesn't charge any additional fees.
How To Use It
- Go to https://bridge.base.org
- Connect your wallet in the top right
- It should automatically add the Base Network to your wallet. If it doesn't, go to http://chainlist.org/?search=base or the Base docs: https://docs.base.org/using-base and add the Base network to your wallet.
- Then, enter the amount of ETH you want to send and use the bridge
As long as you have basic crypto experience, the site is straightforward to use. Funds shouldn’t take long to arrive.
2. Orbiter.Finance Bridge
Another option is to use Orbiter Finance, which is a fast and low-cost decentralized layer 2 bridge that supports lots of networks.
You can use it to save on gas fees by bridging funds from cheaper networks like Arbitrum or Binance Chain instead of Ethereum Mainnet. By doing so, you can pay just a couple of bucks or less in gas fees. I've used it many times without any issues.
How To Use It
- Go to https://orbiter.finance and connect your wallet
- Select the network you want to send from. You will need to have ETH on that network already.
- Select the network you want to send to. In this case, select "Base.”
- Enter the amount and click "Send" and confirm it in your wallet
The funds should arrive on the other side in a couple minutes or less.
3. Other Cross-Chain Bridges
If you want more options, there are plenty of projects that support the Base network:
Wrapping Up
In summary, there are many ways to bridge to Base, including an official bridge. However, there are also many cheaper options available. It's important to do your own research before making any transactions. This document is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice.
FAQ
How Do You Bridge Out Of Base?
To bridge out of Base, you can use the official Base bridge or alternative cross-chain bridges. All of the tools above allow you to both deposit and withdraw from the Base blockchain.
How To Bridge to Base Testnet?
To bridge to the Base testnet, visit https://goerli-bridge.base.org/ and connect your wallet. Make sure you have gETH testnet tokens which you can get for free from one of the crypto faucets listed here.
