Cross-Chain Bridges: How Crypto Moves Between Blockchains

When you send Ethereum from MetaMask to a Solana wallet, you’re not actually moving ETH. You’re using a cross-chain bridge, a system that locks tokens on one blockchain and releases equivalent tokens on another. Also known as blockchain bridges, these tools let you use your crypto across networks without selling it first. Without them, you’d be stuck on one chain—like having cash in one country and no way to spend it in another.

These bridges connect major ecosystems: Ethereum, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Solana, Polygon, and more. They rely on smart contracts, validators, or federated nodes to match deposits and withdrawals. But not all bridges are built the same. Some, like the one used by Arbitrum, are trusted by top DeFi projects. Others, like the one behind Digiassetindo, an unregulated Indonesian exchange with no transparent reserves, have been linked to stolen funds. A bridge’s safety depends on who runs it, how much it’s audited, and whether it’s used by real projects—not just meme coins.

Many users don’t realize that bridges are where most crypto hacks happen. In 2022, over $2 billion was stolen through poorly designed bridges. That’s why you’ll find posts here about real cases: the Tsunami.cash, a risky centralized exchanger with user complaints that blurred the line between bridge and exchange, or the fake CDONK X CoinMarketCap, a scam that pretended to offer free tokens. These aren’t just warnings—they’re lessons. If a bridge promises instant, zero-fee transfers with no KYC, it’s probably not secure. Real bridges take time, charge small fees, and often require multi-sig approvals.

You’ll also see how bridges tie into other crypto trends. For example, JSOL, Solana’s liquid staking token, needs bridges to let users move staked SOL into DeFi apps on Ethereum. And when you hear about Dopex, a decentralized options protocol on Arbitrum, you’re seeing a project that only works because users can bring in assets from other chains.

What you’ll find below isn’t just theory. It’s real stories: the airdrops that needed bridges to distribute tokens, the exchanges that broke because their bridge failed, and the scams that hid behind fake bridge claims. Some posts warn you about unsafe platforms. Others show you how to use bridges the right way—without losing your crypto. Whether you’re sending ETH to Solana, claiming an airdrop on Polygon, or just trying to understand why your tokens moved without you clicking anything, this collection gives you the facts—no hype, no fluff, just what works and what doesn’t.