What is Bridge?

A bridge connects two blockchains so you can move assets between them. Typically it locks or burns your tokens on the source chain and issues an equivalent amount on the destination chain. Bridges make it possible to use funds across ecosystems, such as moving from a Layer 1 to a Layer 2.

This matters because reward campaigns often require bridging to a new network to qualify, and because getting value between chains is a routine part of exploring crypto.

Example: to try a new Layer 2, you use its official bridge to send funds from the base chain, receiving the corresponding balance on the Layer 2 to spend on low-fee transactions.

Safety note: bridges hold large amounts of locked value and have been among the most frequently and severely hacked pieces of crypto infrastructure. Use only official, well-audited bridges reached through verified links, never a bridge advertised in a random message or ad, and be alert for look-alike domains impersonating popular bridges. Double-check the destination network and address before confirming. Related terms include layer 2, cross-chain, wrapped token, and smart contract.