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Optimism BaseEstablished

Optimism to Base bridge

OP Mainnet and Base both started from the OP Stack, though Base is leaving the Superchain for its own stack, and there is no direct official bridge between them. Fast bridges such as Across, Relay and Stargate usually move ETH and USDC in seconds to minutes. Circle CCTP burns native USDC on OP Mainnet and mints it on Base. The official route goes through Ethereum and takes days.

Reviewed October 25, 2026 ยท 6 solutions checked

On this page
  1. Short answer
  2. Why this route is difficult
  3. Possible approaches
  4. Options compared
  5. Working solutions
  6. How to move Optimism to Base
  7. Fees and timing
  8. Common mistakes
  9. Before you transfer
  10. FAQ
  11. Related routes

Short answer

OP Mainnet, the network most wallets still call Optimism, and Base both grew out of the same OP Stack software. In February 2026 Base announced it is leaving Optimism's Superchain for its own self-managed stack, and since March 2026 it names its own upgrades. Both pay in ETH, and your 0x address is the same on each. They are separate chains, so a plain transfer on OP Mainnet never shows up on Base. You need a .

Most people use a fast bridge or an . A pays you on Base from its own funds, so the transfer is usually done in seconds. For USDC, Circle CCTP is the cleanest choice because you receive native USDC on Base. The only official alternative is to withdraw from OP Mainnet to Ethereum through the Standard Bridge and then deposit into Base, which takes days and several Ethereum transactions.

Key facts
Direct official bridgeNone
Shared technologyOP Stack roots, Base now on its own stack
Fastest optionIntent bridges or CCTP fast mode, seconds
CCTP fast fee from OP Mainnet0.013%
Gas on both chainsETH

Why this route is difficult

Sharing OP Stack roots does not make OP Mainnet and Base one network, and Base now runs its own stack outside the Superchain. Each has its own bridge to Ethereum, and there is no directly between them.

The official route means a withdrawal from OP Mainnet to Ethereum and then a deposit into Base, which takes days. Fast bridges pay you on Base from their own , so you skip that wait.

Possible approaches

1Intent bridge

A relayer or pays you on Base from its own funds and is repaid later from your deposit on OP Mainnet.

Trade-offFast and cheap for common tokens, but you rely on the bridge's contracts and repayment system.

2Circle CCTP

Native USDC is burned on OP Mainnet, Circle attests to the burn, and the same amount is minted on Base.

Trade-offYou receive native USDC, but only USDC is supported and you rely on Circle.

3Standard bridges via Ethereum

Withdraw from OP Mainnet to Ethereum, prove and finalize, then deposit into Base.

Trade-offUses only the contracts, but takes days and needs several Ethereum transactions.

Options compared

OptionYou getTypical timeCostBest for
Across, Relay or StargateETH, USDC and other common tokensSeconds to minutesFee built into the quoteMost transfers
Circle CCTPNative USDC on BaseAbout 8 seconds (fast) or 15 to 19 minutes (standard)0.013% in fast mode, no Circle fee in standard modeMoving USDC
Standard bridges via EthereumETH or official tokensDaysOP Mainnet fee plus Ethereum fees for prove, finalize and depositAvoiding third-party bridges

Working solutions

SolutionYou receiveCustody / verificationNotes
AcrossETH, USDC and others based relayersUsually done in seconds.
RelayETH, USDC and othersSolver pays youFast for common tokens.
Circle CCTPNative USDCCircle Fast mode costs 0.013% from OP Mainnet. Standard mode has no Circle fee.
StargateETH, USDCLayerZero verifiers (DVNs)Pool based. Prices depend on pool balances.
LI.FIDepends on the routeSame as the bridge usedAggregator that compares several bridges.
Standard bridges (via Superbridge)ETH or official tokensEthereum (bridge contracts)Withdraw to Ethereum, wait out the , finalize, then deposit into Base.

How to move Optimism to Base

Bridge ETH or USDC with a fast bridge

  1. 1

    Check gas and token

    Keep a little ETH on OP Mainnet for the fee. If you are moving USDC, check that it is native USDC and not USDC.e, the older bridged version on OP Mainnet.

  2. 2

    Pick a bridge

    Open the official site of Across, Relay or an aggregator such as LI.FI. Select OP Mainnet as the source and Base as the destination.

  3. 3

    Check the quote

    Enter the amount and compare what you will receive on Base and how long it should take. Leave the recipient as your own address unless you mean to send elsewhere.

  4. 4

    Confirm and verify

    Sign the transaction on OP Mainnet. Once the bridge shows it as complete, switch your wallet to Base and check the balance.

Fees and timing

Gas on OP Mainnet and Base is paid in ETH and is usually small, so the bridge fee in the quote is what mostly decides the cost.

Circle lists a fast transfer fee of 0.013% for USDC leaving OP Mainnet, deducted when USDC is minted on Base. Standard transfers have no Circle fee. The app you use may add its own fee.

The official route has no bridge fee, but it needs several Ethereum transactions to prove, finalize and deposit. For small amounts that usually costs more than a fast bridge.

Common mistakes

  • Picking the wrong chain. OP Mainnet, Base and other networks built from the OP Stack look alike in wallets and bridge menus, so check the source and the destination before you sign.
  • Bridging USDC.e and expecting native USDC on Base. CCTP only accepts native USDC.
  • Sending funds to your own address on OP Mainnet and expecting them on Base because the address is the same. Without a bridge they stay on OP Mainnet.

Before you transfer

  • Send a small test amount first on any route you have not used before.
  • If you bridge only USDC, get a little ETH on Base for later transactions.
  • Aggregators can route through different bridges, so check which one is selected before you confirm.

Frequently asked questions

Not an official one. Both chains have their own Standard Bridge to Ethereum. Moving directly between them takes a third-party bridge such as Across, Relay or Stargate, or CCTP for USDC.

Use a CCTP route in a bridge app or aggregator. It burns native USDC on OP Mainnet and mints native USDC on Base. Fast mode takes about 8 seconds, standard mode about 15 to 19 minutes.

It goes through Ethereum. A withdrawal from OP Mainnet has to wait out a challenge period before you can finalize it, and only then can you deposit into Base. Fast bridges skip this wait.

Yes, both are chains, so the same wallet address works on both. Funds only move between them through a bridge.