Looking to bridge from Ethereum mainnet to Base?
Gas fees on Ethereum mainnet can vary significantly - throughout 2024, they've ranged from 3 Gwei to nearly 100 Gwei. Meanwhile, Base consistently offers transactions at around 0.05 Gwei. For users seeking faster, cheaper transactions, Base has emerged as one of the fastest-growing Layer-2 blockchains in the Ethereum ecosystem.
Base combines low costs, high speeds, and robust security. Whether you're trading tokens, minting NFTs, or building dApps, Base's rapidly growing ecosystem offers compelling opportunities.
To start using Base, you'll need to bridge your coins (ETH, USDC, etc.) from the Ethereum mainnet or any other L2 where you currently have them. Using Across, you can complete this transfer in about 2 seconds with very low fees.
This guide covers everything you need to know about bridging from Ethereum to Base, from its ecosystem and benefits to step-by-step bridging instructions.
What is Base?
Base is Coinbase's Layer-2 scaling solution built on the Optimism OP Stack. Since launching in August 2023, Base has seen explosive growth:
Account numbers grew from 2.9 million to over 101 million in 2024
Transactions increased from 82 million to 1.3 billion
Verified smart contracts expanded from 67,000 to more than 1 million
This growth is supported by Base's core features:
Low-Cost: Base's average gas fee of 0.05 Gwei is dramatically lower than Ethereum mainnet's (which peaked at 100 Gwei in 2024)
High-Speed: Consistent 2-second block times ensure rapid transaction processing
Robust Security: Leverages Optimistic Rollups to combine Ethereum's security with L2 scalability
Full EVM Compatibility: Allows seamless deployment of Ethereum-based applications
With $3.8 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL), Base has established itself as a major player in the Ethereum scaling ecosystem.
But to access these benefits, you'll first need to bridge your assets from the Ethereum mainnet.
Base's Growing Ecosystem
Apart from its innovation and growing popularity, one of Base’s key selling points is its vibrant ecosystem. With its developer-friendly infrastructure and community-driven focus, Base's Layer-2 ecosystem offers a compelling destination for users and developers alike. Some standout projects include:
Friend.tech: A decentralized social network enabling users to monetize their communities through tokenized private chat access.
Seamless: A Base-native decentralized lending and borrowing protocol.
Aerodrome: The central trading and liquidity marketplace on Base, facilitating governance, incentives, and efficient trading through its AMM.
Base God (TYBG): A parody meme project that embodies Base’s playful yet impactful ethos, complete with metaverse events and a thriving community.
Growing Opportunities
Even beyond the big-name projects, Base offers a constantly growing assortment of unique opportunities for traders and enthusiasts to tap into.
Innovative Campaigns: Base’s “Onchain Summer” put its ecosystem on the map, showcasing everything from interactive NFTs to experimental dApps. It wasn’t just a marketing event but a glimpse into Base’s future potential as a creative hub.
Memecoins: Base has quickly become a playground for memecoins. With new tokens emerging daily, the network is driving liquidity and bringing users together over shared hype and humor.
Future Ready Ecosystem: With DeFi expanding and innovative projects constantly on the horizon, Base is primed for long-term growth. Developers and users alike are flocking to the L2 to build and explore new use cases in gaming, tokenomics, and more.
Why Bridge to Base L2?
The decision to bridge to Base is backed by compelling data from 2024. While Ethereum mainnet gas fees fluctuated dramatically - reaching peaks of 100 Gwei - Base maintained consistent gas fees around 0.05 Gwei throughout the year. This dramatic cost difference means users can execute transactions for cents rather than dollars.
Base's growth trajectory tells an equally impressive story. Starting 2024 with 2.9 million accounts and ending with over 101 million demonstrates the network's expanding reach. Transaction volume followed a similar pattern, scaling from 82 million to 1.3 billion throughout the year. This growth isn't just about numbers - it represents real users finding value in Base's ecosystem.
Speed is another crucial factor. Base's consistent 2-second block times enable rapid transaction processing, while Ethereum mainnet's variable block times can lead to longer waits. Combined with $3.8 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL), these metrics paint a picture of a mature, efficient network ready for mass adoption.
How to Bridge from Ethereum Mainnet to Base
Hopefully, by now, you’ve got a solid grasp on what a crypto bridge is and how to use one. But for those who need a refresher, let’s take a look at just how easy it is to bridge from the Ethereum mainnet to Base using Across.
Step 1: Visit app.across.to
To bridge from Ethereum mainnet to Base, start by visiting the Across bridging app. Check off the first step by connecting your wallet.
Step 2: Select Your Chains
If your funds are on mainnet, be sure to choose Ethereum as the origin (from) chain and Base as the destination (to) chain for bridging. At this time, you’ll also want to specify how much ETH you'd like to bridge, which will prompt Across to estimate how long your transaction might take and how much it will cost.
Step 3: Send It
Once you’ve specified the amount of ETH you'd like to bridge and taken a look over the fee details, click on “confirm transaction,” and your coins will be on its way! Transactions are completed in seconds, so you’ll receive your assets on Base almost instantly.
And that’s it! Always be sure to double or even triple-check your transaction details before bridging. You don't want to waste by selecting the wrong destination chains and having to bridge the funds one more time to the chain you originally wanted.
Ready to Bridge to Base?
Base's trajectory in 2024 tells a compelling story. This new chain has emerged as a major player in the Ethereum L2 ecosystem. This growth is backed by real adoption: over 101 million accounts, 1.3 billion transactions, and a thriving ecosystem of DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and social applications.
When you're ready to join Base's ecosystem, Across offers the fastest, cheapest, and most secure bridging solution:
When you're ready to join Base's ecosystem, you'll want the most efficient bridging solution. Here's why Across is the fastest way to bridge to Base:
2-second average transaction completion
No waiting periods or delays
Instant access to your funds on Base
Looking for cost efficiency? Across is the cheapest way to bridge to Base:
Competitive bridge fees (typically under $0.04)
Optimized gas costs through batched transactions
No hidden fees or surprises
Security matters, too. That's why Across is the most secure way to bridge to Base:
Non-custodial, Intents-based architecture
Across' network of relayers front the funds for your transaction
Battle-tested through billions in volume
Whether you're a developer building the next big dApp or a trader exploring new opportunities, bridging to Base is your gateway to Ethereum's fastest-growing L2.
Ready to get started?
Bridge your tokens to Base with Across today and unlock the full potential of Ethereum’s new frontier.
