ETH to Base Bridge: How to Get Your Tokens from Ethereum to Base

If you want to explore the growing Base ecosystem, the first thing you’ll need is ETH. But not just any ETH. You need ETH on Base.

Base is Coinbase’s Layer-2 blockchain, launched in August 2023 and built using Optimism’s tech stack. It’s fast, cheap, and already home to an ecosystem of dApps, NFTs, and DeFi tools. 

Since launch, it’s exploded in popularity and attracted users who are tired of paying sky-high gas fees on Ethereum. 

But Base doesn’t have its own token. It uses ETH as its gas token. That means if you want to trade, stake, or even just interact with smart contracts on Base, you need ETH on Base.

And that’s where bridging comes in.

Your ETH on Ethereum (Layer 1) won’t automatically show up on Base. To get it there, you need to “bridge” it. In other words, you need to transfer it from Ethereum over to Base using a compatible bridge tool.

It sounds technical, but don’t worry. In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how to bridge ETH to Base, which tools to use (and avoid), and what to expect in terms of fees, speed, and safety.

Let’s get your tokens across the bridge.

Preparing for the bridge

Before you send any ETH across the bridge, let’s make sure your setup is solid. A little prep now can save you from confusion (or worse, lost funds) later.

Add Base to your wallet

First things first: your wallet needs to recognize the Base network. If you’re using MetaMask or a similar EVM wallet, you’ll need to manually add Base Mainnet.

Here’s the easiest way to do it:

• Go to Chainlist.org
• Connect your wallet
• Search for “Base”
• Click “Add to MetaMask”

This will automatically fill in the right RPC details so your wallet can switch between Ethereum and Base with just a click. You can also add it manually using the following network info:

• Network Name: Base Mainnet
• New RPC URL: https://mainnet.base.org
• Chain ID: 8453
• Currency Symbol: ETH
• Block Explorer: https://basescan.org

Once added, you’ll be able to toggle over to Base just like you would with Polygon or Arbitrum.

Test with a small amount first

This part’s crucial — always test your first bridge with a small amount of ETH.

Why? Because mistakes happen. Maybe you selected the wrong network, typed in the wrong address, or chose a scammy bridge (yikes). Sending a small test transfer first is like dipping your toe in the water. If everything goes smoothly, then you can confidently send a larger amount.

Think of it as crypto’s version of “measure twice, cut once.”

Official ETH to Base bridge solution (OP Standard Bridge)

When Base first launched, Coinbase offered an official bridge at bridge.base.org. It did the job. It helped users move assets from Ethereum to Base using the Optimism stack under the hood.

But things have changed.

The deprecated official bridge

As of 2024, that original ETH to Base bridge is no longer actively supported. 

Instead, the Base team has shifted focus toward a broader, more decentralized approach using “Superchain” bridges. It’s a term for bridges that connect Optimism-based networks like Base and OP Mainnet in a more unified, modular way.

This means there’s no longer one “official” bridge. Instead, you can now use trusted, third-party aggregators that tap into the OP Standard Bridge: the secure, default method of moving ETH and other tokens from Ethereum to Base.

Superbridge: the recommended way to bridge ETH

Superbridge is currently the most endorsed option for bridging assets to Base. It’s a simple aggregator that finds the best route (typically the OP Standard Bridge) and walks you through the process with a clean, user-friendly interface.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to superbridge.app
2. Connect your wallet (MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet, or any other Web3 wallet)
3. Set your “From” network to Ethereum and your “To” network to Base
4. Select ETH (or another supported token) and enter the amount
5. Confirm the transaction in your wallet (you’ll pay Ethereum gas)
6. Wait a few minutes. Once confirmed, your ETH will show up on Base

Behind the scenes, Superbridge is using the Optimism Standard Bridge, which means the assets are transferred safely and natively without any wrapping, swapping, or weird token substitutes.

Brid.gg: another community-powered option

If you’re looking for another simple and trusted option, Brid.gg is a great alternative. Like Superbridge, it connects Ethereum to Base using the OP Standard Bridge.

Brid.gg has a smooth UI, supports multiple assets (ETH and many ERC-20 tokens), and also supports multiple wallets. It’s great if you want a minimal, no-nonsense experience. Just select your token, choose your networks, and go.

The process is pretty much the same as Superbridge. Follow the same instructions and you’ll be good.

In short: Superbridge and Brid.gg are both great picks for bridging ETH to Base. They’re secure, decentralized, and endorsed by the Base community. And most importantly, they use the canonical OP Standard Bridge, so your ETH lands on Base exactly as it should.

Using third-party bridges and protocols

Do you want something faster or more flexible than the standard bridge? 

The Ethereum-to-Base bridge ecosystem is packed with third-party tools that can move ETH (and sometimes other tokens) across networks in minutes.

I’ll break down the best ones and how they compare.

Orbiter Finance: fast ETH transfers between L2s

Orbiter Finance is for users who want speed. It’s designed specifically for ETH bridging between Layer-2 networks, like Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, and yes, Base.

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit orbiter.finance
2. Connect your wallet
3. Choose “From: Ethereum” and “To: Base”
4. Select ETH and the amount
5. Confirm the transaction in your wallet

Orbiter uses liquidity pools and relayers to skip the long delays of canonical bridges. Most transfers land in under 5 minutes, sometimes as fast as 1–2 minutes.

Pros:

• Super fast L1 → L2 and L2 → L2 transfers
• Minimal interface; great UX
• Reliable for ETH bridging

Cons:

• ETH-only for Base (no USDC or other tokens)
• Slight bridge fee (included in the rate)

If you’re just looking to get ETH onto Base quickly to pay gas or make your first swap, Orbiter is one of the fastest options out there.

Portal by Wormhole: bridging wrapped tokens

Next up is Portal by Wormhole, a cross-chain bridge that connects over 20 blockchains, including Base. Unlike Orbiter or the OP Standard Bridge, Wormhole wraps tokens when moving them between chains.

Here’s the flow:

1. Go to the Portal app
2. Select Ethereum as the source and Base as the destination
3. Choose a token (e.g., ETH, USDC, etc.)
4. Bridge it — and Portal creates a wrapped version on Base
5. You’ll need to claim the token manually on Base (which requires ETH for gas)

This extra claim step trips up some users, because if you don’t already have ETH on Base to pay gas, you can’t access your bridged funds.

Pros:

• Supports many tokens
• Useful for non-ETH assets
• Broad network compatibility

Cons:

• Requires ETH on Base to claim bridged tokens
• Wraps tokens (not native ETH)
• Slightly more complex UX for beginners

If you already have ETH on Base and want to bring in tokens like USDC or wBTC from Ethereum or Solana, Wormhole gets the job done. Just be ready for that extra claim step.

Synapse Protocol, Across & other cross-chain bridges

Synapse and Across Protocol are two of the most trusted and best cross-chain crypto bridges. And they both support Base.

• Synapse is a liquidity-based bridge that lets you swap tokens (like USDC or ETH) across networks via liquidity pools.
• Across is optimized for fast, low-cost transfers using a decentralized intent-based system and relayer network.

Both are user-friendly, battle-tested, and great for stablecoin transfers or fast token bridging.

Pros:

• Support ETH and stablecoins
• Cheap gas and bridge fees
• Transfers typically complete in 2–5 minutes
• Strong community and security records

Cons:

• Token support may vary by chain
• Uses liquidity pools (not native bridging)
• Some tokens may require token approvals

These bridges are great for DeFi users who want more flexibility and don’t want to be limited to ETH only.

ChainPort: for users who prioritize security

ChainPort is a lesser-known but security-first bridge that also supports Base. It emphasizes audited smart contracts, multi-layer security, and compliance with industry best practices.

It’s not the fastest or cheapest. ChainPort charges a 0.3% bridge fee, and transactions take a few minutes. But it’s designed for peace of mind.

Pros:

• Emphasizes security and audits
• Simple UI for bridging
• Supports ETH and select ERC-20 tokens
• Great for users moving larger amounts

Cons:

• Slightly higher cost (0.3% fee)
• Slower than Orbiter or Across
• Fewer supported tokens than bigger bridges

If you’re a cautious user or just don’t want to worry about weird token issues, ChainPort is worth considering. This is especially true for bigger transfers where safety matters more than speed.

With all these options available, your choice comes down to what matters most: speed, flexibility, or security.

Bridging via exchanges (alternative method)

Not a fan of bridges? There’s a workaround. And it might already be in your pocket.

If you have a Coinbase account, you can use the exchange itself as a kind of indirect bridge. Coinbase now supports deposits and withdrawals of ETH on the Base network, so it’s easy to move funds between Ethereum and Base without ever touching a bridge interface.

Here’s how it works:

Moving ETH from Ethereum to Base via Coinbase

1. Deposit ETH into your Coinbase account on the Ethereum network (L1)
    
2. Once it’s in your wallet, go to the “Send” or “Withdraw” section
    
3. Choose to withdraw ETH to your Base wallet address
    
4. Make sure your wallet is connected to the Base network
    
5. Confirm the transaction: your ETH will show up on Base shortly after

And yes, your Base wallet address is the same as your Ethereum address if you’re using MetaMask or another EVM-compatible wallet.

Moving ETH from Base back to Ethereum

It works the same way in reverse:

1. Send ETH from your Base wallet to your Coinbase deposit address
    
2. Coinbase will detect that it was sent from the Base network
    
3. You can now withdraw it back to Ethereum, or leave it in your Coinbase account

Why this method works well for beginners

Pros:

• No bridges, no interfaces: just your exchange account
• Simple and familiar for Coinbase users
• No additional bridging fees (just standard exchange withdrawal fees)
• Works with ETH on both ends (no token wrapping)

Cons:

• Requires a Coinbase account (KYC and centralization)
• You’re trusting a centralized platform
• Limited to ETH and supported assets only (can’t bridge any token you want)

This is an excellent option if you’re new to crypto or just want the easiest way to get ETH onto Base. No learning curve, no bridges, no stress.

Comparing bridging options: which bridge should you use?

Not all bridges are built the same. Some are faster, others are more secure, and a few specialize in certain token types. 

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the right tool for the job.

Speed

• Fastest options: Use Orbiter or Across if you want your ETH or stablecoins like USDT or USDC to land on Base in minutes (or even seconds).
   
• Moderate speed: Wormhole and Synapse usually take a few minutes.
   
• Slower route: The OP Standard Bridge (via Superbridge or Brid.gg) is reliable but can take longer, especially if Ethereum is congested — expect ~20 block confirmations.

Cost

• All bridges require gas on Ethereum (Layer 1), so expect that baseline fee.
   
• Bridges with extra fees:
   
  • ChainPort: ~0.3% fee (traded for extra security)
     
  • TokenPocket: Up to 0.5%
     
• Fee-conscious? Use aggregators like Superbridge or Brid.gg — they automatically route through the most cost-effective path.

Supported assets

• ETH only: Use Orbiter if all you need is ETH for gas on Base — fast and efficient.
   
• ETH + ERC-20 tokens: Superbridge and Brid.gg support most major tokens that are natively deployed on Base, including WETH, USDC, and DAI.
   
• Stablecoins & wrapped assets:
   
  • Use Synapse or Across to bridge USDC, USDT, DAI, or ETH quickly.
     
  • Use Wormhole Portal if you want to bridge a wider range of tokens — just remember it wraps assets, which may not be accepted by every Base dApp.

Security

• Stick with reputable bridges. Only use links from official sources (docs.base.org, wormhole.com, synapseprotocol.com, etc.) to avoid phishing and fake bridge scams.
   
• Trustless vs. centralized:
   
  • OP Standard Bridge, Across, Hop: Trust-minimized, decentralized mechanics.
     
  • Wormhole, ChainPort: More centralized (e.g. guardian validators, multisigs), but still widely used and audited.
     
  • If security is your #1 priority, ChainPort offers enterprise-grade protections. Just be prepared to pay slightly more.

The bottom line

Bridging ETH to Base is easier than ever. And you’ve got options. 

From low-fee DeFi protocols to NFT marketplaces and innovative on-chain apps, Base is one of the fastest-growing Layer-2 ecosystems. But to participate, you need ETH. And now you know exactly how to get it there.

Base is part of a bigger vision, the Superchain: a future where Layer-2s like Base, Optimism, and others work together seamlessly. And thanks to these bridges, you can be a part of that.