BridgeRadarKnowledge base · 1 min read
How to move ETH between networks
On Ethereum and its rollups ETH is the native coin that pays for gas. On other networks it is a wrapped token. Third-party bridges move ETH between rollups in seconds, while official rollup bridges are slower on the way out.
Where ETH is native
On Ethereum and rollups such as Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, zkSync, Linea and Scroll, ETH is the native coin and pays for gas. Bridging ETH between them gives you real ETH you can use right away.
On BNB Chain, Polygon and Avalanche, ETH is a token, usually WETH or Binance-Peg ETH. It has the same price but does not pay for gas there.
ETH vs WETH
WETH is ETH wrapped as a standard token so apps can handle it like any other token. On Ethereum and rollups you can unwrap WETH to ETH one to one in most wallets and DEXs. If a bridge delivered WETH and you need gas, unwrap it.
Official rollup bridges
Each rollup has an official bridge. Deposits from Ethereum usually arrive in minutes. Withdrawals back to Ethereum are slower:
- Optimistic Rollup networks (Arbitrum, Base, Optimism): about 7 days, then a manual claim.
- ZK Rollup networks (zkSync, Linea, Scroll): usually several hours.
- Official bridges are the most direct route but cost extra gas on Ethereum.
Fast bridges
Common mistakes
Avoid these:
- Using an official withdrawal and forgetting to claim it after 7 days.
- Sending ETH to an exchange on a network the exchange does not support.
- Receiving WETH on BNB Chain or Polygon and expecting to pay gas with it.
- Bridging only ETH to a network where gas is paid in another coin.
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