Bridge Fees Explained: What You Pay to Move Crypto Between Chains

When you move crypto from Ethereum to Polygon, or from Solana to Avalanche, you’re using a crypto bridge, a smart contract system that locks tokens on one chain and mints equivalent tokens on another. This process is called cross-chain transfer, the act of moving digital assets between separate blockchain networks. Without these bridges, your Bitcoin couldn’t be used in a DeFi app on Ethereum, and your USDT couldn’t flow into a game on BSC. But every time you bridge, you pay a fee—and those fees can vary wildly.

Not all blockchain interoperability, the ability of different blockchains to communicate and exchange value solutions are built the same. Some bridges charge fixed gas fees based on network congestion, like Ethereum’s high gas prices during peak hours. Others take a percentage of the amount you’re sending, which can eat into small transfers. Then there are bridges that rely on third-party validators who get paid in tokens, adding hidden costs you won’t see until after the transaction. The bridge fees you pay aren’t just about speed—they’re about trust. A cheaper bridge might be riskier if it’s under-collateralized or has a history of hacks. The most trusted ones, like those used by major DeFi protocols, often cost more because they’ve been battle-tested and audited.

What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t just lists of fees. You’ll see real comparisons between bridges, breakdowns of hidden costs, and examples of when skipping the cheapest option saved users from losing funds. You’ll learn why some bridges charge $0.50 and others $50 for the same transfer, and how to spot a bridge that’s more about collecting fees than delivering value. This isn’t theory—it’s what traders and everyday users actually pay to keep their crypto moving.