4. Bridge (Optional)

Intermezzo: help, I think I have to bridge!

No worries, this can be quite cheap if you know how to do this the most cost-efficient way. To minimize the extra costs for bridging one could choose to first deposit ETH on a network that is already known to have low fees. These are almost always Layer 2 protocols.

Just to name a few that are compatible with the (third-party) bridge discussed below: Optimism, Arbitrum (One), Arbitrum Nova and Polygon. There are more options to choose from, as long as you try to avoid Ethereum (mainnet) as this will probably be the most expensive route to take.

Choosing your bridge

If your funds are in your personal wallet but not yet on zkSync Era, then they have to be bridged over. For this we suggest using a third-party bridge. They are generally cheaper, quicker and have more networks to choose from.

Discovery 5 "A bridge represents opportunity for connection and allows us to venture into new spaces to grow and learn."

Third-Party Bridge (Recommended)

There are a couple bridges that are compatible with zkSync Era. We suggest using Orbiter Finance, but feel free to check out other third-party bridges in zkSync's ecosystem.

Deposit with Orbiter Finance

1. Head over to: https://www.orbiter.finance/?dest=zkSync%20Era&token=ETH

2. Connect your wallet.

3. Make sure to select the correct networks (the link should automatically select zkSync Era as the destination).

4. Enter the amount you'd like to bridge. Make sure you have enough to also cover for any bridging fees.

5. Click Send (this will not yet initiate the transaction).

6. In the next screen you'll see all details pertaining to your upcoming transaction (including the Withholding Fee charged). If everything looks okay, click on Confirm and Send and Confirm the transaction in your wallet to finish your deposit to zkSync Era.

7. It usually takes around 30 seconds to a minute to have your funds on the zkSync Era network.

Official Bridge

We suggested using a third-party bridge, but there are some pros to consider to using the official bridge over, in our case specifically, Orbiter Finance:

1. The list of tokens you're able to bridge is quite extensive in comparison,

2. You're able to bridge your tokens to a different wallet address and

3. You might feel more at ease using the official bridge rather than a third-party.

Deposit with txSync Bridge

1. If you prefer to use the official bridge of zkSync, head on over to https://portal.txsync.io/bridge.
2. Connect your wallet.

3. Enter the amount you'd like to bridge. Make sure you have enough to also cover for any bridging fees.

4. Click Continue if you agree with the fee amount and the arrival time (this will not yet initiate the transaction).

5. Click Add funds to zkSync Era Mainnet and Confirm the transaction in your wallet to finish your deposit to zkSync Era.

6. Normally it takes around 15 minutes to have your funds in your account on the zkSync Era network.