How To Bridge Tokens From Polygon to Optimism Using Hop.Exchange

Sending tokens from one chain to another may sound or seem like a very complicated process. However, it doesn’t have to be when you know how to use protocols like Hop.Exchange. In this guide we will be moving Ethereum from Polygon to Optimism.

Step 1 – Connect Your Wallet #

Once you have acquired some ETH on Polygon head over to Hop and connect your Metamask wallet. You can find the button in the top right corner of your screen.

Step 2 – Select Currency and Network #

You should select Ethereum as the currency you will be sending, Polygon as your starting point and Optimism as the destination chain. If done correctly your preview screen should look like this.

Additionally, you can also set your preferred slippage rate if you need to.

Step 3 – Approve and Send #

You will have to approve two transactions before your tokens are sent. The first one allows the Hop protocol to use your Ethereum and the other one executes the bridging process. Once the second transaction is confirmed you should see your ETH on Optimism in no more than a few minutes.

Unlike with other bridges, you do not need to claim your Ethereum on the other end. The claiming fee is included in the bridging fee and once the tokens have been moved to the other chain they are sent directly to your wallet.

Fee Structure #

There are quite a few fees attached to the bridging process when you use Hop, so it is good to know what you are paying for.

• AMM swap fees (0.04%)
• Slippage (fees vary depending on AMM conversion rates)
• Bonder fee (0.18%)
• Destination chain tx fee (gas fees for claiming the tokens)
• Minimum $1 fee (Bridging can’t cost less than $1)

A detailed breakdown can be found here.

Conclusion #

Hop Protocol can be a very useful tool if you don’t have any funds on a chain like Optimism. In that specific case, you need Ethereum to execute transactions and if a bridge requires you to claim that ETH on Optimism you will need to get creative with obtaining some.