As decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) continue to reshape the digital economy, the demand for fast, secure, and low-cost cross-chain transactions has surged. Among the most effective solutions addressing Ethereum’s scalability challenges is Arbitrum, a Layer 2 scaling protocol that leverages optimistic rollups to deliver faster transactions and significantly reduced gas fees.
A critical component of interacting with Arbitrum is using a blockchain bridge—a tool that enables users to transfer assets like ETH, USDC, and other tokens from Ethereum or other networks directly to Arbitrum. With numerous bridging options available, selecting the right one can be overwhelming.
This guide highlights the six best Arbitrum bridges in 2025, ranked by Total Value Locked (TVL), and provides detailed insights into their features, usability, and security—helping you make an informed decision based on performance and reliability.
What Is an Arbitrum Bridge?
An Arbitrum bridge serves as a secure gateway between the Ethereum mainnet and the Arbitrum network. It allows users to deposit assets onto Arbitrum for cheaper DeFi interactions or withdraw them back to Ethereum when needed.
The process typically involves locking tokens on the source chain (e.g., Ethereum) and minting equivalent wrapped tokens on Arbitrum. This mechanism ensures asset integrity while enabling seamless interoperability across chains.
👉 Discover how easy it is to move assets between chains with a trusted bridging platform.
Top 6 Arbitrum Bridges Ranked by TVL
Below are the leading Arbitrum bridges in 2025, evaluated based on Total Value Locked (TVL), supported chains, and user experience.
1. Synapse Protocol – Leading Multi-Chain Bridge
TVL: $85.13 million
Supported Chains: 17
Synapse Protocol stands at the top of the rankings due to its robust cross-chain infrastructure and high liquidity. As a decentralized, permissionless protocol, Synapse enables seamless asset transfers between Ethereum, Arbitrum, and over a dozen other blockchains.
Its innovative design supports not only token bridging but also cross-chain swaps and generic message passing—making it ideal for both retail users and developers building multi-chain applications.
How to Bridge Assets Using Synapse
- Visit the Synapse app and navigate to the “Bridge” tab.
- Select your source network (e.g., Ethereum).
- Choose the token you wish to transfer.
- Set Arbitrum as the destination chain.
- Enter the transfer amount.
- Approve the transaction and initiate the bridge.
- Confirm receipt of funds in your Arbitrum wallet.
Synapse consistently ranks as one of the cheapest and fastest bridges to Arbitrum, thanks to optimized routing and minimal slippage.
2. Multichain – High Connectivity Across Ecosystems
TVL: $45.58 million
Supported Chains: 53
Multichain offers one of the most extensive cross-chain ecosystems, supporting over 86 blockchains and thousands of tokens. Its non-custodial architecture uses Multi-Party Computation (MPC) for enhanced security, ensuring users retain full control of their assets.
A standout feature is its zero-slippage bridging, which eliminates hidden costs often associated with automated market makers (AMMs). This makes Multichain especially attractive for large-volume transfers between Ethereum and Arbitrum.
Developers appreciate its open integration model, allowing dApps to easily embed cross-chain functionality without complex setup.
3. cBridge – Fast Arbitrum ⇄ BNB Chain Transfers
TVL: $18.69 million
Supported Chains: 25
Developed by Celer Network, cBridge is a trustless, decentralized bridging solution that supports rapid transfers between Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and more. Since its launch in 2021, it has processed billions in cross-chain volume.
cBridge uses a liquidity pool model where assets are locked on one chain and minted on another. Transactions are secured through smart contracts and finalized within minutes, offering a balance of speed and safety.
It’s particularly popular among traders moving stablecoins like USDT and USDC between high-activity chains.
4. Poly Network – Interoperability Powerhouse
TVL: $811,933
Supported Chains: 32
Poly Network connects over 20 major blockchains including Ethereum, Avalanche, Fantom, BNB Chain, and Arbitrum. It has facilitated over $16 billion in cross-chain asset transfers, establishing itself as a reliable infrastructure layer for Web3.
Unlike traditional bridges, Poly Network enables generic cross-chain messaging, allowing developers to build advanced interoperable applications such as cross-chain lending platforms or NFT marketplaces.
While its TVL is lower than others on this list, its technological depth and proven track record make it a strong contender for sophisticated use cases.
5. WAN Bridge – Early Cross-Chain Pioneer
TVL: $321,830
Supported Chains: 19
WAN Bridge, part of the Wanchain ecosystem launched in 2017, was among the first protocols to introduce cross-chain interoperability. It uses wrapped token technology to represent assets across different networks.
To move ETH to Arbitrum via WAN Bridge:
- ETH is locked on Ethereum.
- An equivalent wETH token is issued on Arbitrum.
- Users can then use wETH in DeFi protocols on Arbitrum with minimal fees.
Though less dominant today due to newer competitors, WAN Bridge remains a viable option for users seeking alternative routing paths.
6. Hyphen Bridge – Gasless Layer-2 Transfers
TVL: $300,609
Supported Chains: 6
Hyphen Bridge, built by Biconomy, specializes in gasless cross-Layer-2 transfers, supporting Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon. Its key innovation lies in eliminating gas fees during transfers—users don’t need native tokens to pay for transactions.
This makes Hyphen ideal for new users who want to explore Arbitrum DeFi without first acquiring ETH for gas. The bridge operates through meta-transactions, where transaction fees are sponsored or abstracted away.
👉 See how next-gen bridging simplifies your entry into Layer-2 ecosystems.
What Is Blockchain Bridging? Key Concepts Explained
Blockchain bridges solve a fundamental challenge in crypto: interoperability. Different blockchains operate in isolation, but bridges create pathways for assets and data to flow securely between them.
How Bridging Works
- User locks tokens (e.g., ETH) on the source chain.
- The bridge mints a corresponding token (e.g., ETH.e) on the destination chain.
- When withdrawing back, the wrapped token is burned, and original assets are unlocked.
This process relies on decentralized validators or smart contracts to maintain trustlessness and security.
Pros and Cons of Blockchain Bridges
- Pros: Enables cross-chain DeFi access, lowers transaction costs, expands investment opportunities.
- Cons: Potential smart contract vulnerabilities, risk of exploits (especially in newer bridges), limited token support on some platforms.
Always verify contract addresses and use audited bridges with strong community trust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I send ETH directly to Arbitrum?
Yes. You can send ETH from Ethereum to Arbitrum using any official or third-party bridge. Once bridged, ETH functions identically on Arbitrum but with lower transaction fees.
Q: Which is the cheapest bridge to Arbitrum?
Synapse Protocol is widely regarded as the cheapest bridge due to low fees and efficient routing across multiple liquidity sources.
Q: Are Arbitrum bridges safe?
Most top-ranked bridges are audited and battle-tested. However, always research security audits, team transparency, and historical incidents before use.
Q: How long does a bridge transfer take?
Transfers typically take 2–30 minutes, depending on network congestion and confirmation requirements. Some instant bridges finalize in under 5 minutes.
Q: Do I need gas to bridge to Arbitrum?
Yes—unless using gasless solutions like Hyphen Bridge. Most bridges require small gas fees on the source chain (e.g., Ethereum) to initiate the transfer.
Q: Can I bridge NFTs to Arbitrum?
Some bridges support NFT transfers (e.g., Polygon zkEVM Bridge), but many focus only on fungible tokens. Check individual bridge capabilities before attempting NFT bridging.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Arbitrum bridge depends on your priorities—whether it’s cost-efficiency (Synapse), broad connectivity (Multichain), speed (cBridge), or developer flexibility (Poly Network).
As the multi-chain future unfolds, these bridges play a crucial role in connecting fragmented ecosystems and empowering users to maximize their crypto potential across networks.
For those looking to enter the Arbitrum ecosystem with confidence, starting with a high-TVL, well-audited bridge is essential. And as innovation continues, expect even more seamless, secure, and intelligent bridging solutions to emerge in 2025 and beyond.
👉 Start bridging smarter today—explore seamless asset transfers across chains now.