As you must’ve noticed, the Ethereum blockchain is flawed, with high transaction fees and frequent network congestion. So, ZKsync Era was developed as a layer-2 network that provides faster and less expensive transactions. It uses zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-rollups) to enhance security and allow you to interact with Ethereum-based apps more efficiently. You can now escape Ethereum (and several other mainnet) issues by bridging your assets to ZKsync Era. This article will reveal the easiest ways to bridge to ZKsync Era using the most reliable cross-chain bridges.
Can I Bridge to ZKsync Era?
Yes, you can transfer your assets under Ethereum or other networks to ZKsync Era for faster and cost-effective crypto transactions. Bridging to ZKsync Era sounds like a technical task, but it’s super easy, thanks to zk-compatible bridging solutions. These cross-chain bridges enable transfers of assets like ETH or USDT from wallets (e.g., Metamask) to ZKsync Era. While cross-chain bridges assist with the technicalities of the bridging process, you also have some requirements to meet.
Firstly, bridging isn’t free. So, you must keep extra tokens like ETH to cover bridging and gas fees when transferring assets to the ZKsync network. If you’re considering using bridge aggregators due to their ease of use and all-in-one solution features, then you may be making a mistake! Not only do they have lesser success rates, but bridging to ZKsync Era with an aggregator requires additional protocol fees to process.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve highlighted some of the best bridges to use when transferring assets to the ZKsync Era network. Before then, let’s discuss certain factors you must always consider before bridging to the ZKsync Era.
Key Things to Keep in Mind:
1. Gas Fees:
Bridging to the ZKsync Era network requires fees for processing. For example, if you’re bridging assets from Ethereum, you’ll need extra ETH for gas and bridging fees. However, the gas and bridging fee size depends on the cross-chain bridge you choose and the network you’re bridging. Ensure you store extra crypto tokens to cover the necessary fees and prevent bridging delays.
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2. Wallet:
A Web3 wallet is essential for bridging to ZKsync from Ethereum or other popular networks. You’ll need to store the assets you want to bridge in a wallet and create a ZKsync-compatible wallet to transfer the assets to after bridging. Metamask, Argent, Trust Wallet, etc., are popular wallet choices when bridging to ZKsync.
Alternatively, you can install the official ZKsync Lite wallet on your device to access bridged assets directly on the network. Ensure your wallet is appropriately configured to interact with the ZKsync Era network when bridging.
Blockchain Wallet Finder
3. Add Support to Wallet:
Some Web3 wallets do not automatically recognize the ZKsync Era, while others are incompatible with the network. Ensure you select a ZKsync-compatible wallet, and if necessary, manually add the ZKsync network on your wallet before bridging. Trust Wallet and MetaMask are ZKsync-compatible, so you can configure your ZKsync Era account on the wallet to store bridged assets.
How to Bridge to ZKsync Era
Bridging to ZKsync Era is simple with reputable bridging solutions. Many cross-chain bridges can facilitate asset transfers between ZKsync and other blockchains. This section provides the most straightforward steps to bridge assets to the ZKsync Era network using some of the most efficient cross-chain bridges.
Using the Official ZKsync Bridge
ZKsync Bridge is the official and most secure pathway to bridge assets from Ethereum to the ZKsync Era network. The bridging solution, however, supports bridging from Ethereum to the ZKsync Era network only. It uses zero-knowledge technology to facilitate L1-L2 interoperability, which is essential for communicating between both networks.
Data transfer via the bridge is sent as signed messages and not a transaction on the mainnet. Follow the steps below to bridge your Ethereum assets to ZKsync Era using the Official ZKsync Bridge.
Step 1: Visit the Official ZKsync Bridge portal using your preferred web browser.
Step 2: Click on Connect Wallet to link the Ethereum wallet (e.g., Metamask) containing the assets you wish to bridge to ZKsync Era.
Step 3: Choose the type and specify the amount of tokens you wish to bridge to ZKsync Era.
Step 4: Your connected address is automatically filled as the receiving address. You can change this by clicking the wallet area and changing your ZKsync Era receiving address. Click Continue to proceed.
Step 5: Review the transaction details, including the token amount, gas and bridging fees, and the networks involved. Press Confirm to complete the process of bridging to ZKsync Era.
Using Orbiter Finance
Orbiter Finance is a popular cross-chain bridging solution that supports asset transfer between Ethereum and rollup networks like Arbitrum, Linea, and ZKsync Era. The Orbiter Finance bridge works using three smart contracts, including Maker Deposit Contracts (MDC), Event Binding Contracts (EBC), and Simple Payment Verification (SPV).
These technologies enhance the platform’s capacity to transfer assets for Layer-2 rollup networks. In the same vein, Orbiter Finance facilitates cheap and fast cross-rollup transactions. Here’s how to bridge to ZKsync Era using Orbiter Finance:
Step 1: Open your web browser and navigate the Orbiter Bridge application.
Step 2: Connect the wallet containing assets you wish to bridge and specify the network.
Step 3: Select the type and amount of tokens you wish to bridge.
Step 4: Input your ZKsync-compatible wallet address in the destination address space. Finally, click Send and approve the transaction in your wallet.
Using Layerswap
If you seek a faster bridging solution that supports multiple networks, unlike ZKsync’s official bridge, Layerswap is your guy! Layerswap facilitates multi-directional asset transfer. This means you can use the platform to process transfers from centralized exchanges to blockchains and bridge assets between blockchain networks.
Layerswap supports about 20 networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, ZKsync Era, and several others. Let’s learn how to bridge assets to ZKsync Era using the user-friendly bridging solution, Layerswap:
Step 1: Visit the Layerswap platform, and tap on the Launch App button to open the bridging application.
Step 2: Click the Wallet icon to link your wallet to the platform.
Step 3: Set the source and destination of your transfer on the platform using the designated space provided as well as the Asset accordingly.
Step 4: Enter the type and amount of tokens you wish to bridge.
Step 5: Click Swap Now, choose how you wish to complete the transfer, then approve the transaction on your wallet to complete the bridging process.
ZKsync Era Bridging Fees
Bridging to the ZKsync Era network costs a few crypto tokens added to the total assets involved in the transfer. The bridging and gas fees depend on the type of token you’re bridging, the chosen bridging platform, and network congestion. However, before starting the process, you must retain a few extra crypto tokens like ETH to cover gas and bridging fees. While many third-party bridges require bridging fees, the Official ZKsync Bridge only requires gas fees in ETH, usually under $1.
About ZKsync Era
ZKsync Era is a cost-effective layer-2 scaling platform developed under the Ethereum mainnet. It employs ZK proofs to achieve high throughput, scalability, and low-cost Ethereum transactions. ZKsync Era network features full EVM compatibility, which is implemented in its ZK-friendly proprietary virtual machine. Unlike optimistic rollups, ZKsync provides instant finality without long withdrawal delays. It is designed for users and developers looking for scalability, low fees, and security while staying within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Bottom Line
Crypto enthusiasts looking to benefit from Ethereum layer-2 scaling solutions must explore the ZKsync Era network. Bridging to this network, however, can be stressful. This article simplifies the process with an easy step-by-step guide on using reputable, low-cost cross-chain bridges like Official ZKsync Bridge, Layerswap, and Orbiter Finance. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth transition and start utilizing ZKsync’s benefits.
FAQs
1. What wallets support the ZKsync Era?
Popular ZKsync-compatible wallets include MetaMask, Argent, and Trust Wallet.
2. How long does bridging to the ZKsync Era take?
Transactions can take minutes to an hour, depending on network congestion and the bridge used. We recommend bridging during low congestion hours like nighttime or other off-peak sessions for faster bridging and lesser costs.
3. Do I need ETH to pay for transactions on ZKsync Era?
Yes, ETH is required for gas fees on Ethereum and transaction fees on ZKsync.
4. Are there any risks when bridging to the ZKsync Era?
Yes, transaction delays or fund loss may arise from network congestion, smart contract flaws, and bridge attacks. While reputable bridges are secure, always verify contract addresses, use official platforms, and be cautious of phishing scams, mirror URLs, etc.
5. Can I Bridge to ZKsync Era with RhinoFi?
RhinoFi is a reputable cross-chain bridging platform supporting transfers to the ZKsync Era network at low costs (about 0.19% of the total transaction).
