Bridges connect separate asset systems
Trace what leaves one network and what you receive on another.
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A bridge coordinates an action on one network with an action on another. It may lock assets and create a representation, burn and mint through an issuer, or use liquidity providers to deliver funds. These mechanisms create different dependencies.
Identify the resulting asset
Moving “the same token” can result in a native issuer token or a wrapped claim backed elsewhere. Record the destination contract or mint, not only the ticker. Check that the application you intend to use accepts that exact asset.
A source transaction succeeding proves only that its source-side action succeeded. Relaying, proof submission, waiting periods or a separate claim may still be necessary before funds are usable at the destination.
Compare the whole route
Count source fees, bridge or liquidity fees, expected destination amount, destination fees and any return journey. Keep a way to pay for the first destination action. A bridge may not provide gas automatically.
Example: moving 100 units with a 2-unit route cost delivers at most 98 before other charges. A 1-unit source fee and a 1-unit exit cost reduce the economic benefit further.
Bridge risks include contract bugs, compromised validators or keys, message-verification failures, unavailable liquidity and asset depegs. Official or widely used does not mean risk-free.
Before committing, explain how you would locate an unfinished transfer and which official support channel handles it. Never use a recovery service that asks for a seed phrase or an unexplained signature.