Best Crypto Bridges

Summary: Selecting a trusted crypto bridge is essential for ensuring safe and capital-efficient cross-chain transfers. A dependable bridge must undergo rigorous smart contract audits and handle significant transaction volumes to assure security. It should support both Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks and be compatible with EVM and non-EVM blockchains.

To help users manage cross-chain transactions, we present a top 5 list of crypto bridges. This list is based on a comprehensive evaluation of bridge security, network compatibility, liquidity, fee structures, and overall user experience.

  1. Rhino.fi - Best Overall Crypto Bridge
  2. Across Protocol - Top Bridge for Layer 2's
  3. Rango Exchange - Best Crypto Bridge Aggregator
  4. Portal Bridge - Top Choice for Non-EVM Chains
  5. Gravity Bridge - Best for the Cosmos Ecosystem
Best Crypto Bridging Platform
Website
Best Crypto Bridging Platform
5.0 out of 5.0 by Datawallet

Rhino.fi is the best bridge due to its rapid transaction speeds, support for over 23 blockchains, extensive token compatibility, and rigorous audits ensuring robust security.

Website
Supported Chains

Ethereum, Base, Solana, Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Starknet & more.

Supported Tokens

WETH, USDT, USDC and 500 other tokens.

Protocol Security

No Exploits and Smart Contract Audits from PeckShield.

Best Crypto Bridges for Cross-Chain Swaps

After a thorough analysis of over 15 crypto bridge protocols, we focused on their effectiveness for both Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. Key criteria included liquidity, cross-chain compatibility, ecosystem support, fee transparency, and security robustness. Our evaluation highlights the top five crypto bridge platforms that enhance interoperability within the blockchain ecosystem.

Category
Supported Chains
Bridging Fees
Total Volume
Transaction Speed
Rhino.fi
Ethereum, Solana, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Linea & 18 more
0.12% Fee and 0.05% Slippage
$2.35 Billion
Under 1 Minute
Across Protocol
Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, zkSync & Optimism
0.1% Fee and 0.05% Slippage
$7 Billion
Under 1 Minute
Rango Exchange
Ethereum, Solana, Base, Cosmos, Bitcoin & 50 more
0.1% Fee and 0.1% Slippage
$2 Billion
Under 2 Minutes
Portal Bridge
Solana, Sui, NEAR, Aptos, Sei & 15 more
0.1% Fee and 0.1% Slippage
$1.5 Billion
2-5 Minutes
Gravity Bridge
Cosmos, Sei, Osmosis, Celestia & 10 more
0.08% Fee and 0.09% Slippage
$2 Billion
4-6 Minutes

1. Rhino.fi

Rhino.fi leads the market with cross-chain transfers across 23 blockchains, such as Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Solana, often completing transactions in under 60 seconds. Supporting over 500 tokens, Rhino.fi enhances liquidity and reduces fees. Utilizing 'roll-up' technology, it batches transactions to avoid Ethereum mainnet congestion, ensuring speedy and secure transfers.

Having processed over $2.35 billion through 48.8 million transactions for more than a million accounts, Rhino.fi delivers a high-value user experience at low cost. Backed by industry leaders like ConSenSys and Ledger, Rhino.fi is pivotal in onboarding users to DeFi across EVM and non-EVM based networks.

  • Supported Chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Solana, Linea, Base, Blast, Optimism, Scroll, zkSync, Mantle, Avalanche, BNB Chain, and many others. 
  • Supported Tokens: Over 500 tokens, providing extensive choice and convenience for users.
Top Crypto Bridge Rhino.fi

2. Across Protocol

Across Protocol stands out for its capital efficiency in bridging Ethereum to Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base. With over $7 billion in transactions, it features a unified liquidity pool and a no-slippage fee model, benefiting Layer 2 solutions. UMA’s optimistic oracle ensures high security for transactions, making Across Protocol a reliable choice for secure transfers.

Its architecture, designed for user needs, guarantees rapid transactions and minimized costs without compromising security. Supporting key chains like Ethereum and tokens such as WETH and DAI, Across Protocol facilitates cost-effective interoperability trusted by leading applications. It is optimized for swift, economical asset transfers across major Layer 2 networks.

  • Supported Chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Polygon.
  • Supported Tokens: WETH, DAI, USDT, USDC, WBTC, BAL, ACX, among others.
Across Protocol

3. Rango Exchange

Rango Exchange excels as a cross-chain bridge aggregator, enabling asset transfers across more than 60 blockchains via a single, intuitive interface. Handling over $2 billion through 1.14 million swaps and serving over 173,980 wallets, Rango employs an advanced API to navigate DEXs, aggregators, and cross-chain protocols, ensuring efficient asset swaps and interoperability.

As the leading bridge aggregator, Rango supports a broad range of networks including UTXO (Bitcoin and Dogecoin), EVM, Cosmos, Solana, and Tron. It routes trades through multiple bridges to achieve the most efficient transaction fulfillment, optimizing capital efficiency. Its high-security, no KYC, and fully decentralized service offers a streamlined user experience.

  • Supported Chains: 55+, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana, and more.
  • Supported Tokens: 1,000 tokens across all blockchains.
Rango Exchange

4. Portal Bridge

Portal Bridge is a top-tier cross-chain bridge, particularly effective for non-EVM chains such as Solana, Sui, NEAR, and Aptos. Leveraging the Wormhole framework, Portal locks original tokens in a smart contract and issues Portal-wrapped tokens on the destination chain, enabling seamless swaps for other or native tokens.

Portal excels by supporting both ERC721 and SPL NFTs, facilitating comprehensive asset transfers across its network. While bridging fees are minimal, gas fees constitute the primary cost. Portal's capability to register new tokens and its extensive support for non-EVM chains make it an efficient solution for cross-chain token transfers.

  • Supported Chains: Ethereum, Solana, Aptos, Sui, NEAR, Moonbeam, Injective, Fantom, and 10 others.
  • Supported Tokens: WETH, USDC, USDT, WBTC, SOL, SUI, NEAR, and DAI.

5. Gravity Bridge

Gravity Bridge excels in the Cosmos ecosystem, seamlessly connecting Cosmos-SDK chains like Osmosis, Evmos, Canto, and Kujira with Ethereum. It facilitates the transfer of crucial ERC20 tokens such as DAI and USDC using the Interblockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, enabling Cosmos projects to leverage Ethereum’s extensive asset pool.

Noted for its decentralization and permissionless operation, Gravity Bridge features a robust validator set, making it one of the market’s most decentralized bridges. It currently supports transfers of Ethereum and USDC, with plans to include more ERC-20 tokens following the Cosmos SDK's Polaris update. The platform is also one of the most battle-tested and well-audited protocols in DeFi with no history of exploits or bugs.

  • Supported Chains: Ethereum, Cosmos, Osmosis, Terra, Fetch.ai, Canto, Secret, and more.
  • Supported Tokens: WETH, ETH, USDC, USDT, DAI, WBTC, ATOM, OSMO, and more.

What is a Crypto Bridge?

A crypto bridge, or blockchain bridge, serves as a conduit for transferring tokens and data between distinct blockchain ecosystems. These transfers can occur between different blockchains, such as Ethereum and BNB Chain, or between various layers of the same blockchain, like Ethereum and its Layer 2 solutions.

How a Crypto Bridge Works:

  1. Locking Mechanism: Tokens designated for transfer are locked in a smart contract on the source blockchain, temporarily removing them from circulation within that blockchain.
  2. Token Minting on Destination Chain: An equivalent amount of tokens is minted on the destination blockchain. These can be exact replicas or wrapped tokens representing the original assets.
  3. Transfer Validation: Validators or relayers verify the transfer, ensuring the locked tokens on the source chain match those minted on the destination chain.
  4. Reversal Process: To return assets to the original blockchain, the tokens on the destination chain are burned or locked, triggering the release or unlocking of the original tokens on the source blockchain.

Is Cross-Chain Bridging Safe?

Cross-chain bridging presents significant security risks. In 2022 alone, $2 billion was stolen in 13 bridge hacks, making up 69% of all crypto thefts. Bridges are attractive targets due to their centralized storage of large amounts of funds, and their varying designs introduce unique vulnerabilities.

To enhance safety, choose bridges with rigorous code audits and robust security measures. Rapid response to hacks, including tracing and labeling stolen funds, is essential. While cross-chain bridging is vital for blockchain interoperability, its safety depends on the security practices of the bridges used and user vigilance regarding potential threats.

Is Cross-Chain Bridging Safe?

Closing Thoughts

Cross-chain bridges are crucial for blockchain interoperability, yet they pose significant security risks. Choosing bridges with rigorous audits and robust security measures is essential for safe transactions. Users should stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and adopt best practices for secure asset transfers.

Trusted bridges like Rhino.fi, Across Protocol, Rango Exchange, Portal Bridge, and Gravity Bridge provide enhanced liquidity and functionality while minimizing security risks, ensuring efficient and safe cross-chain interactions.