Arbitrum has taken the DeFi world by storm, offering faster and cheaper transactions than Ethereum while maintaining strong compatibility with its ecosystem. As more users and protocols migrate to Arbitrum to take advantage of its scalability, bridging assets to and from this Layer 2 network has become a daily routine for many.
In 2025, the Layer 2 landscape is more competitive than ever. As gas fees fluctuate and demand for cross-chain liquidity grows, users need reliable and secure bridges that won’t cost a fortune or take forever to complete a transaction. Fortunately, several platforms have stepped up to the plate with innovative solutions.
Below is a curated list of the best bridges https://defiway.com/blog/top-bridges-to-arbitrum for moving assets to Arbitrum, starting with a rising star in the space—Defiway.
1. Defiway Bridge
Defiway https://defiway.com/bridges/bridge-eth-arbitrum-ethereum is quickly earning a reputation as one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to move assets to Arbitrum. It’s especially popular among beginners, thanks to its clean interface and minimalistic approach. No extra frills—just smooth bridging from one chain to another.
Defiway supports transfers across several major blockchains including Ethereum, Arbitrum, BNB Chain, and Avalanche. What makes it stand out is the low fee structure and surprisingly fast transaction speeds. You can move tokens to Arbitrum without worrying about being stuck in long queues or paying exorbitant gas fees.
Another plus: Defiway keeps things simple. You connect your wallet, select your networks and tokens, and the platform handles the rest. Even if you’re new to DeFi, you’ll find Defiway intuitive and stress-free.
With its focus on simplicity, affordability, and user safety, Defiway is an excellent bridge choice for users who just want a fast and reliable way to get their funds into Arbitrum and start exploring its ecosystem.
2. Arbitrum Official Bridge
This is the native, built-in bridge developed by the Arbitrum team. It doesn’t get more official than this. It’s the go-to option for users who want peace of mind knowing their transactions are handled by the same team that built the network.
The Arbitrum Bridge connects directly to Ethereum mainnet, allowing transfers of ETH and ERC-20 tokens. The process is straightforward, although the UI is a bit basic compared to newer third-party platforms. Security is top-notch, with no intermediaries or third-party risks involved.
However, one downside is the withdrawal time. If you’re moving funds out of Arbitrum, be prepared to wait up to a week. This is due to how optimistic rollups work—it’s a necessary delay for fraud-proof validation. But for transferring into Arbitrum, the bridge is fast and reliable.
If security is your top priority and you’re not in a rush to move funds back to Ethereum, this bridge is a solid pick.
3. Synapse Protocol
Synapse is a well-known name in the cross-chain arena, and it offers one of the most versatile bridges in DeFi. With Synapse, you can not only transfer assets between networks like Ethereum, Arbitrum, and BNB Chain, but you can also perform cross-chain swaps.
Let’s say you want to go from USDC on Ethereum to USDT on Arbitrum. Synapse lets you do that in one transaction. That level of convenience is rare and highly valued in a fast-moving space like DeFi.
Speed is another plus. Most Synapse transactions are completed in just a few minutes. And because it has its own liquidity pools, users often experience low slippage and minimal fees. Synapse also supports a wide range of tokens and has proven itself over time with consistent performance and strong uptime.
If you want advanced functionality in a user-friendly wrapper, Synapse should be high on your list.
4. Hop Protocol
Hop Protocol was designed for one purpose: fast bridging between Ethereum and Layer 2s. It delivers on that mission. Hop uses a liquidity pool model that makes it possible to transfer assets between Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon in minutes.
It supports major assets like ETH, USDC, DAI, and MATIC. Power users love Hop because it minimizes the pain points of traditional bridges—especially the long wait times when moving assets between networks.
The UI is geared toward more experienced users, but it’s still navigable if you’re willing to poke around for a few minutes. Fees are generally reasonable, and Hop’s smart routing often finds the quickest and cheapest path for your transaction.
If you’re bridging assets frequently and don’t want to wait around, Hop Protocol is a fantastic choice.
5. Stargate Finance
Stargate brings something unique to the table: unified liquidity. Built on LayerZero’s omnichain messaging protocol, Stargate allows users to move assets between supported chains like Arbitrum, Ethereum, Avalanche, and BNB Chain without the fragmented liquidity issues that plague some bridges.
Stargate currently supports a handful of stablecoins, primarily USDT and USDC, but it does that job extremely well. Transfers are smooth, fees are transparent, and transaction completion is usually very fast.
Another cool perk is that Stargate integrates with a growing number of DeFi apps, so users can go beyond bridging and participate in yield farming and liquidity provision directly within the same ecosystem.
For users focused on stablecoin transfers and liquidity efficiency, Stargate is a top contender.
6. Across Protocol
Across Protocol takes a different route from most bridges. It uses a relayer network that fronts liquidity for users, which means your transfers are completed almost instantly. You don’t have to wait for block confirmations on both chains to see your funds arrive.
Its design makes Across one of the fastest bridges available, especially for ETH and stablecoin transfers between Ethereum and Arbitrum. Fees are low, slippage is minimal, and the protocol’s smart contract architecture is transparent and auditable.
Across is particularly popular among traders and arbitrageurs who need speed and reliability. Its growing support for additional tokens and chains only adds to its appeal.
If you’re looking for lightning-fast transfers and capital efficiency, Across Protocol deserves your attention.
7. Celer cBridge
Celer’s cBridge has matured into a reliable and comprehensive bridge solution, with support for over 30 networks including Arbitrum. It offers both asset transfers and token swaps, catering to a wide range of user needs.
One of its biggest strengths is the flexibility it provides. Users can bridge wrapped tokens or native ones, and developers can integrate the bridge directly into their dApps using Celer’s SDKs and APIs.
The UI is sleek, and the experience is polished. Celer has also put a strong emphasis on security, with a track record of handling large transaction volumes without major issues.
Whether you’re a developer building a cross-chain app or just someone looking to move funds quickly, cBridge is a dependable option.
8. Orbiter Finance
Orbiter is a bridge that flies a little under the radar but is extremely efficient, especially when it comes to transferring ETH. It supports several Layer 2s including Arbitrum, zkSync, Optimism, and StarkNet.
The standout feature here is speed—Orbiter transactions are usually finalized within 60 seconds. The platform is also gas-efficient, with low fees and a transparent fee breakdown before each transaction.
It’s a bit more technical in appearance, but the platform has been gaining popularity with experienced DeFi users and arbitrageurs who rely on rapid movement of assets.
If you want to move ETH between rollups fast, Orbiter is one of the best tools for the job.
Final Thoughts
With more users flocking to Arbitrum every day, having a solid bridge in your DeFi toolkit is more important than ever. The right bridge can save you time, money, and headaches when transferring assets across chains.
Defiway is a top recommendation for anyone looking for a clean, fast, and affordable way to move funds to Arbitrum. It’s beginner-friendly while still offering enough flexibility for more active users.
Other bridges like Synapse, Hop, and Stargate offer specialized features—such as cross-chain swaps or deep liquidity pools—that cater to different needs. Whether you’re transferring ETH, stablecoins, or ERC-20 tokens, the platforms above offer safe and efficient routes into the Arbitrum ecosystem.
Ultimately, the best bridge for you depends on what you’re transferring, how often, and how much you care about speed versus cost. But with these trusted options in your arsenal, navigating the multichain world of DeFi has never been smoother.
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