Why This Matters In 2025

Base is a fast, low‑cost Layer‑2 on Ethereum incubated by Coinbase. Bridging lets you move funds from Ethereum or other chains into Base to use apps, send payments, or trade. In September 2025 the original bridge at bridge.base.org is deprecated… so you should use third‑party bridges or in‑wallet bridging. We will show you safe options, exact steps, and how to keep fees low.

What You Need Before You Start

• A wallet that supports EVM chains… MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet both work.

• A small amount of ETH on your source chain to pay gas… if you start on Ethereum mainnet, gas is higher… if you start on an L2 like Arbitrum, gas is usually lower.

• Base network added in your wallet… network name, chain ID 8453, RPC and explorer. You can add Base via Chainlist with one click.

Base network settings: Source Base

Documentation Base uses chain ID 8453 and ETH as gas. Add the network in your wallet so you can see balances and sign transactions on Base.

Option A… Bridge Using Your Wallet (Easiest)

MetaMask

  1. Open MetaMask and tap Bridge… choose From network and To network… select Base.
  2. Choose the token, enter the amount, review the quote… check any service fee line items.
  3. Confirm the transaction… wait for the status to show completed… funds will appear on Base when finalised.

Coinbase Wallet

  1. Open Coinbase Wallet… tap the Bridge icon… select From and To networks with Base as destination.
  2. Pick the asset… enter the amount… confirm.
  3. When complete, switch your network selector to Base to view your new balance.

Option B… Use A Trusted Third‑Party Bridge (More Control)

These are popular choices with clear fee policies and fast fills. Always double‑check URLs.

• Across… fast fills, relayer fee model… supports ETH and major tokens.

• Orbiter Finance… wide network coverage… transparent trading and fixed fees per route.

• Layerswap… good for exchange off‑ramps and chain‑to‑chain moves.

• deBridge… simple UI… supports many assets and chains including Base.

Generic Steps (Applies To All Bridges)

  1. Connect your wallet, select From network and To network, choose Base for destination.
  2. Pick the token and amount… review all fee lines, estimated arrival time, and minimum received.
  3. Click Bridge or Swap… approve the token if prompted… then confirm the bridge transaction.
  4. Wait for confirmation… on Base, switch your wallet network to Base to see funds.

Across uses a relayer fee you set, similar to gas… higher relayer fee can reduce wait time… check the live quote before confirming.

Orbiter shows a trading fee plus a small fixed withholding per route… review the total so you know your exact cost.

Fees And How To Keep Them Low

• Gas on source chain… mainnet Ethereum is usually the largest component… consider bridging from a cheaper L2 where possible.

• Bridge fees… some have a percentage trading fee and a fixed fee… wallet aggregators usually show this in the quote.

• Relayer fee on Across… you can nudge this up for faster fills… or down if you can wait.

Tips to save… bridge during quieter network hours, use L2 → Base routes when available, and avoid many small transfers… batch when practical.

Gas changes with network congestion… check your wallet’s fee estimate before you confirm.

Safety Checklist

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Photo by Pawel Czerwinski / Unsplash

• Verify official URLs… type them manually or use your own bookmarks.

• Start with a small test amount… confirm it lands on Base, then send the rest.

• Never bridge direct from a fresh hardware wallet without testing permissions… approve only what you need.

• Beware fake support chats and airdrops… no bridge needs your seed phrase.

Troubleshooting

• Funds not showing… switch wallet network to Base, then check the token list and import the token contract if needed.

• Transaction pending… check the bridge’s status page, then the block explorer on source and Base… delays happen during high congestion.

• Wrong token route… some bridges wrap or mint a bridged version… confirm the exact token ticker and contract on Base.

Mini FAQs

Is the official Base bridge still available? The old site is deprecated in 2025… most people now use wallet bridging or third‑party bridges with good uptime.

What token pays gas on Base? ETH pays gas on Base… you need a small amount of ETH on Base to make your first transaction after bridging.

How long does it take? Wallet bridging and fast bridges often complete in minutes… L1‑to‑L2 native routes can take longer when congested.

Can I bridge from Solana or BNB Chain? Yes… use a cross‑chain bridge that supports those networks into Base… routes and fees vary by token.

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Legal & Risk Notice
This content is educational and not investment advice. Markets involve risk… do your own research, manage position sizing, and never risk money you cannot afford to lose.