In this article we will see how to perform a cryptocurrency bridge from the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) cryptographic network to the Ethereum Mainnet (ETH), or vice versa.
The bridge represents a cross-chain transfer of digital currencies between different blockchains that, by their nature, cannot overlap and must travel on different roads.
To carry out this type of operation, we can rely on both non-custodial solutions and custodial ones.
The former maintain the component of decentralization, typical of those who want to operate in complete privacy and in a trustless mode, while the latter represent a valid alternative for those who handle large amounts of capital and prefer to enjoy greater protection in terms of cybersecurity.
Let’s see below all the details.
Crypto bridges from BSC network to ETH or vice versa: the best protocols
One of the most popular solutions for bridging cryptocurrencies from the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) to the Ethereum Mainnet (ETH), or vice versa, is to use decentralized interoperability applications.
With this specific genre of protocols, crypto such as BNB, USDT, and USDC can be easily transferred between the two networks, which due to their nature normally cannot communicate.
To use them, it is essential to have a non-custodial crypto wallet, such as Metamask or Trustwallet, and be familiar with the practices and operations typical of web3 and DeFi.
Among the most quoted and reliable applications in the specific case of the BSC to ETH bridge, we find: Stargate, Meson, Symbiosis, Orbiter Finance, and Layerswap.
All of them represent a quick and economical option that with a few minutes of waiting and a handful of dollars, will allow your tokens to teleport between blockchains.
Furthermore, the liquidity on them is sufficient to guarantee the perfect functioning of operations. Stargate is by far the most popular platform in this regard, to the point of recording a volume of over 220 million dollars in the bridges of the last 30 days involving the BSC.
It is estimated that the entire cryptographic network during the same period supported a total volume of 349 million dollars across all existing applications
Its dominance is largely due to speculation about an alleged LayerZero airdrop that could be released specifically to Stargate users.
Now let’s see practically how to perform a bridge from BSC to ETH, using the platform just mentioned as a reference.
The mechanism is identical in any other solution, with the only difference that some cryptos may be available for transfers on one platform rather than another.
Once we have entered the official Stargate website, we go to the “transfer” section, select the type of currency we want to transfer, and select the sender and recipient networks.
Let’s enter the total number of tokens to be bridged and click on the “transfer” button.
As in the following example, after a few minutes the USDT sent from BSC will be visible on ETH and can be used immediately within this ecosystem.
Obviously, like any operation on blockchain, this one also incurs commission costs, which in the case of the bridge from BSC to ETH can reach a few dollars, while from ETH to BSC it could sometimes exceed even more than 20 dollars (it depends a lot on the gas cost on Ethereum).
There are actually applications like Sushiswap, which have implemented the so-called “cross-chain swap”, which allow you to simultaneously execute a swap between two tokens while they are being transferred from one chain to another.
Withdrawal of crypto from exchanges as a secure custodial solution for cryptocurrency bridging
Another method to bridge cryptocurrencies between the BSC and ETH networks is to use centralized exchanges as a support base to deposit funds from one network and withdraw them from the other. This is not a true bridge, but it still represents a very valid alternative solution.
If, for example, you have some USDT on the BSC on the Metamask wallet and you want to transfer them to ETH, you could make a BEP-20 deposit on an exchange like Binance and then withdraw the same USDT as ERC-20 on Ethereum to the same starting address.
By doing so, you give up the factors of decentralization and privacy to enjoy some advantages such as increased security.
Usually those who use this bridging option do so because they handle significant volumes and do not want to expose themselves to the risks of third-party non-custodial platform smart contracts.
Decentralized bridges are indeed the most vulnerable web3 environment to cyber attacks par excellence, where the funds of many users have been compromised in recent years.
Considering that in this niche, in just over 3 years hackers managed to steal about 2.75 billion dollars, which is a little over a third of all thefts that occurred in the entire crypto world.
In this regard, just a few days ago the Heco Bridge managed by the famous Justin Sun, was hacked for 86.6 million dollars
Transferring your cryptocurrency to CEX minimizes counterparty risk in this type of protocol, relying solely on the reliability of the exchange in question.
It is also worth noting how this option can solve the potential “problem” of high gas fees on Ethereum in the case of the bridge from ETH to BSC, significantly reducing commission costs compared to interoperability applications.
The best exchanges to carry out this type of operation are Binance, Bybit, Okx, Crypto.com, Bitget, Kraken, Kucoin.
Before making the first deposit, make sure that the platform you are using supports the tokens you want to transfer and the networks you want to rely on.
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