Stargate is a cross-chain bridge built on LayerZero that moves stablecoins and other assets between blockchains from a single, unified pool of liquidity. You send a native asset on the source chain and receive the native asset on the destination chain, rather than a wrapped placeholder. Transfers are non-custodial: your wallet signs each step.
What is Stargate?
Stargate is a cross-chain liquidity transport protocol — a bridge — built on the LayerZero messaging layer. It moves value between chains, so USDC on Ethereum can arrive as USDC on Arbitrum. Bridging changes the chain an asset sits on; it is distinct from swapping, which changes the asset.
Stargate draws on unified liquidity pools so transfers deliver a native asset on the destination chain rather than a locked wrapper. This is an independent dashboard; live routing, approvals and settlement happen in the external app.
How Stargate works
Connect a wallet, choose the source and destination chains, pick an asset such as USDC and an amount, approve the token if required, and sign. Stargate takes your asset into a pool on the source chain and releases the same asset from the pool on the destination chain, with LayerZero carrying the message between them.
The source transaction confirms first; the destination delivery is a separate stage you can track with the transaction hash. You need native gas on both the source and the destination chain.
Chains & assets
Stargate connects many EVM chains — including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche and Base — with stablecoins such as USDC and USDT and other pooled assets. The exact routes and assets depend on which pools have liquidity at the time.
Confirm both the source and destination chain and the asset contract on each side before you transfer. The same ticker can exist on multiple networks, so the ticker alone does not identify the exact token.
Fees, gas & slippage
A Stargate transfer's cost is source-chain gas, a protocol and LayerZero messaging fee, and destination-chain gas. Each chain's gas is paid in that chain's native token, so keep a small native balance on both ends.
Because transfers draw on shared pools, a large transfer or an imbalanced pool can add slippage between the amount sent and the amount received. Review the quoted fees, estimated slippage and delivery time before signing.
Is Stargate safe?
Bridges add extra moving parts on top of normal token risk. Read the notices below before you transfer.
Bridge & messaging risk
Verify before you sign
Transfer problems & fixes
Stargate transfer issues usually trace to a network or gas mismatch, a missing approval, thin pool liquidity, or a pending destination leg.
- Wrong network: confirm the source and destination chains match your intent before signing.
- No gas on destination: you need a small native balance on the destination chain to use delivered funds.
- Missing approval: wait for the source-chain approval to confirm before the transfer.
- High slippage: an imbalanced pool can move the received amount — reduce or split the transfer.
- Pending delivery: a confirmed source transaction and a pending destination delivery are separate stages — track the hash.
Stargate FAQ
What is Stargate?
Stargate is a cross-chain bridge built on the LayerZero messaging layer. It moves value between chains so, for example, USDC on Ethereum can arrive as USDC on Arbitrum. Bridging changes the chain, not the asset.
How does a Stargate transfer work?
Connect a wallet, choose source and destination chains, pick an asset and amount, approve if required, and sign. Stargate takes the asset into a pool on the source chain and releases the same asset from the pool on the destination, with LayerZero carrying the message.
What does a Stargate transfer cost?
Source-chain gas, a protocol and LayerZero messaging fee, and destination-chain gas. Each chain's gas is paid in its native token, and a large or imbalanced transfer can add slippage.
Which chains and assets does Stargate support?
Many EVM chains — including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche and Base — with stablecoins like USDC and USDT and other pooled assets. Routes depend on available pool liquidity.
Is Stargate safe?
Bridges add smart-contract and cross-chain messaging risk, and transfers can be delayed. Verify the app, the chains, the asset contract on both sides and the destination address, and test with a small amount first. Not financial advice.
How long does a Stargate transfer take?
From under a minute to longer during congestion, depending on the chains and conditions. The source transaction confirms first, then destination delivery is a separate stage you can track.
Notes before you bridge with Stargate
- Confirm the source and destination chains and that you hold native gas on each.
- Verify the asset contract on both chains and the destination address.
- Check the quoted slippage and keep the source transaction hash to track delivery.