How to Use Acrossbridge to Move or Swap Crypto
If your crypto is on one blockchain but you need it on another, acrossbridge lets you arrange the move or swap in one flow. For that cross-chain bridge and swap, acrossbridge helps you move the asset you hold to a chosen asset on the receiving network. Check that network and the amount you expect to receive before sending.
acrossbridge connects the starting and receiving networks
A cross-chain transfer starts on one blockchain and finishes on another. The coins do not travel between them like money between bank accounts. Depending on the route, a service may hold or remove assets on the first chain, then release or create assets on the second. A swap can also exchange one asset for another along the way.
That difference matters when you choose what to receive. Bitcoin on the Bitcoin network is different from a token representing Bitcoin on another chain. Likewise, an asset may have several versions on the same network. Choose the version your receiving wallet or intended app accepts, not merely one with a familiar name.
Move or swap crypto in six steps
Start with the asset you own, then work toward the exact asset and network you need. Here is how I would handle a transfer of 200 USDC from Ethereum to Arbitrum. USDC is a dollar-linked token, while Arbitrum is a layer 2 network that processes transactions alongside Ethereum.
Check where your funds are now. Open your wallet and confirm both the asset and its network. Having 200 USDC on Ethereum does not mean you have 200 USDC on Arbitrum. If the funds sit at an exchange, check which network that exchange uses for withdrawals.
Choose the receiving asset and network. In this example, select USDC on Arbitrum as the outcome. Check that your receiving wallet can use Arbitrum and hold that version of USDC. For a move from Bitcoin to Solana, first check which Bitcoin-related assets or swap routes are available; native Bitcoin cannot simply appear on Solana.
Enter an address you control and verify it. The receiving address is where the result will arrive. Compare the full address and the receiving network with your wallet, especially if you copied the address from an exchange. A correct-looking address on the wrong network can leave funds inaccessible, and blockchain sends cannot usually be reversed.
Review the quote and keep enough for fees. A quote shows what you expect to receive. Say 200 USDC produces 198.70 USDC on Arbitrum: the 1.30 USDC difference reflects the route’s quoted cost. Check whether the starting network’s transaction fee is separate. On Ethereum, that fee is called gas and is normally paid in ETH, so keep some ETH in the sending wallet.
Send the funds only after checking the final details. Confirm the asset, amount, receiving address and network in your wallet. If the wallet asks you to approve a token, that gives the service permission to use it; read the amount you are authorizing. For a large transfer, I would send a small test first and accept the extra fee for the chance to catch an address mistake.
Wait for confirmation, then check what arrived. The starting chain must record your transaction before the receiving side can finish. Save the transaction ID, a unique record you can look up if the transfer takes longer than expected. Check the receiving network for the actual asset and amount; a wallet may need that network or token added before it displays them.
Time and cost change with network traffic and the route’s available funds. A quiet route may finish in minutes; a busy chain or Bitcoin confirmation can take longer. If the quoted amount changes before you send, review it again rather than assuming the earlier figure still applies.
- Confirm the starting asset, receiving asset and both networks.
- Check the address, quoted amount and gas before sending.
- Keep the transaction ID until the asset appears on the receiving network.