Operation guide: teach you how to bridge from Ethereum to Layer 2
This article comes fromdecrypt, original author: Robert Stevens
Odaily Translator |
Odaily Translator |
The technical advantages of Layer 2 need not be repeated, but how to bridge Layer 2 to a Layer 1 network like Ethereum (Ethereum), it seems that not many people understand it? This article will provide a detailed guide to teach you how to bridge from Ethereum to Layer 2.
For now, encrypted networks are mainly composed of Layer 1 and Layer 2. We know that Layer 1 is the base layer of the blockchain network, the most typical ones are Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, etc.; Layer 2 is located above Layer 1, but the transaction processing speed is faster than the base layer of Layer 1 blockchain , Lower cost. If you are a miner, you can earn native Tokens on the Layer 1 platform when verifying transactions, such as SOL, ETH, etc.
If you don't know whether you are "Layer 1 or Layer 2", you can actually judge by judging whether the network relies on another blockchain to run. If the network you are in is completely independent, then it is basically a so-called "layer 2". Layer 1 network". At this stage, Layer 2 still needs to rely on Layer 1, and needs to feed back the processed data to Layer 1, which means that the degree of decentralization of Layer 2 will not be very good - of course, this is also the enjoyment of "faster speed, lower cost" has to be paid. At this stage, Layer 2 can be roughly divided into two categories, one is focused on expansion technology, and the other is focused on cross-chain bridge technology:
1. The most typical examples of Layer 2 networks in terms of expansion technology include Arbitrum, Polygon, and Optimism. Each Layer 2 blockchain processes Ethereum transactions on an independent, high-speed, low-cost network before the message is sent to the Ethereum blockchain;
In this article, we will focus on how to connect Layer 2 using scaling technology to Ethereum, rather than cross-chain bridges. In order to get the faster transaction speed and lower transaction costs of the Layer 2 network, you have to send funds to the network, and if you want, you can convert all cryptocurrencies back to the blockchain base layer (such as Ethereum). For example, you can send 10 ETH to the Loopring network, trade it on a gas-free DEX, and cash it out on the Ethereum blockchain. But how are these operations implemented? Next, let us take a look together.
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Step 1: Select Layer 2 Network
(There are other multi-chain bridges on the market. These bridge technologies mainly focus on interoperability. On these cross-chain bridges, you can migrate Token between blockchains without worrying about whether the target blockchain supports native assets. However, this article does not focus on these cross-chain bridges.)
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The Layer 2 bridge can be accessed through non-custodial Web 3 wallets, the most popular wallet for crypto users is MetaMask, but most wallets should be able to connect to Layer 2. Next, you need to deposit the assets you plan to send through the Layer 2 bridge in your wallet, as well as some Layer 1 native tokens to support the completion of the transaction. If the Layer 1 you choose is Ethereum, you need to prepare some ETH.
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Step 3: Bridging
Next, you need to go to the target Layer 2 gateway. For better illustration, we choose Optimism, but the processing methods of other Layer 2 gateways are basically the same, and there will not be much difference. Once you have selected your gateway, you will see a screen like this:
At this point, you can convert any ERC-20 token (or ETH itself) on the Layer 1 network to the "bridge", and then the bridge technology will move your Token to the Layer 2 network. Take the image below as an example, we have entered 0.01 ETH, which is $27, and you will see a screen as shown below:
In order to transfer assets, we have to pay gas fees on Ethereum, in this case MetaMask quoted us about $12.50, as shown in the image below:
Don't worry about the higher fee, as we know that after this fee, all transactions will be much cheaper. It takes about 20 minutes for the assets to reach Optimism, and when the transaction is complete, we receive the following message:
Step 4: Make transactions on Layer 2
After completing the above three steps, your tokens should now be on the Layer 2 network, which means that these tokens can be used in any decentralized finance protocol that integrates Layer 2, or can also be used with other Layers 2 wallets for direct transactions. Next, let's continue the Optimism example, we can now trade on Uniswap via an Optimism Layer 2 bridge instead of using the more expensive Ethereum mainnet.
To do this, we switch to the Optimism network by clicking "Optimism" in the network selection tab after the payment is complete, and give MetaMask permission to change the network "from Ethereum to Optimism".
Arbitrum works almost exactly the same way, other bridges may work slightly differently, but the difference is small. Sometimes, you may pay transaction fees using your Layer 2 native cryptocurrency, but in most cases, you may not pay any fees at all.
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Step 5: "Return" funds to the Layer 1 mainnet
This step depends on personal choice. If you want, you can do transactions in the Layer 2 network indefinitely, and you don't have to interact with the main network of the base layer blockchain. However, if you want to move your funds back to the mainnet, you can also transfer your funds to the Layer 1 mainnet at any time by reversing the bridge transaction.
To "return" funds to the Layer 1 main network, the time required for different blockchain bridge technologies varies. For example, if your withdrawal transaction uses Optimistic Rollups technology, it will take about a week to see your transaction on Ethereum. The reason it took so long is that Optimistic Rollups, which both Optimism and Arbitrum rely on, allow blockchain validators to resolve any disputes that may arise from transactions that appear to be fraudulent.
Frankly speaking, a week is indeed a long time, and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has also questioned this. If you can't bear it for such a long time, you can also use zk-Rollups technology. Although this technology can complete the withdrawal transaction in just a few minutes, it may have certain risks because it does not support the dispute resolution mechanism.
