Best Cross Chain Transaction Bridges In 2025

Launched in 2022, Stargate is built on the LayerZero protocol to enable easy native asset transfer across chains. Stargate’s goal is to make cross-chain transfer as simple as single-chain transfers. It uses LayerZero’s infrastructure to create a unified liquidity pool, which allows users to move stablecoins and other assets across 40 chains, and maintain deep liquidity pools. 

Symbiosis Finance focuses on enabling cross-chain liquidity aggregation by bridging both EVM and non-EVM chains. Symbiosis usesDEX liquidity pools to route swaps across chains. This strategy ensures that users get the best rates when moving assets. Symbiosis Finance has a reputation for being a user-focused DeFi bridge with one of the best interfaces and growing integration with major crypto wallets. 

Synapse Protocol is one of the most versatile cross-chain solutions in crypto. At first, it focused on stablecoin transfers but has since evolved to support other assets, and include features like swaps, and liquidity pools across over 20 chains including Solana, Fantom, and Ethereum. Synapse has strong developer activity, and constant upgrades that makes it a favorite for DeFi projects that need smooth bridging with reduced slippage. Synapse offers a combination of fast settlement times, competitive fees, and strong security through audits and bug bounties. Synapse is a preferred option for DeFi tokens and yield strategies. 

Wormhole is one of the first and most influential cross-chain messaging protocols. The platform’s portal Bridge supports both NFT and token transfers across over 30 chains, making it a huge player in Web3 interoperability. Although Wormhole has suffered security breaches in the past, the platform has undergone intense audits, and increased its guardian-based trust model. Fees are as little as $0.01, making it a cost-friendly bridge, especially for projects in the NFT and gaming sectors that require fast, and affordable transfers. 

Celer Network launched its cBridge in 2021 as part of its effort to establish a cross-chain infrastructure. cBrdge connects over 20 chains, including Ethereum, Polygon, and Optimism. It provides a reliable way to move tokens across ecosystems, offering both speed and a reliable user experience. Transactions on cBridge are often completed in less than a minute. For security, the cBridge has been audited by SlowMist and Certik. cBridge is also strongly integrated with several crypto wallets and DeFi platforms.

Axelar is one of the best crypto bridges to use if you value multi-chain support. The platform originally serves as one of the core interoperability layers of Web3. Currently, the Axelar bridge supports over 50 chains, including Avalanche, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Ethereum. Axelar is a developer-first platform for building cross-chain dApps. It focuses on features like liquidity transfers, secure messaging to enable developers create apps that natively operate across multiple chains. Axelar is a long-term infrastructure project rather than just a simple bridge.

Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is one of the newest blockchain bridges. Although it supports a smaller number of chains compared to others, CCIP offers enterprise-level interoperability. Beyond connecting blockchains, CCIP also serves as a bridge for financial systems. With a fee model of 0.05%, and Chainlink’s top-level security infrastructure, CCIP is gaining reputation among institutions and developers that prioritise reliability over the number of supported chains. CCIP’s reputation as a leading blockchain bridge is expected to grow as banks and more chains adopt its cross-chain features.

A blockchain bridge is a service that allows you move assets or data from one blockchain to another. Blockchain bridges are like roads connecting different ecosystems that normally do not interact with each other. Most blockchains operate as closed systems having their own rules, tokens and structures. As a result, it is difficult to use tokens on a different chain such as Solana or Avalanche without help. That’s where a bridge comes in. 

A cross chain bridge locks your token on the origin chain (Ethereum for example) and issues an equivalent version on the destination chain (Solana.) If you send ETH from Ethereum to Solana through a bridge, it locks your ETH on Ethereum and releases the same amount on Solana. When you move it back, it reverses the process, preventing tokens from being lost or duplicated. 

Beyond moving tokens, bridges support stablecoins, NFTs and even cross-chain data (CCIP). The goal is for decentralized apps to function across multiple blockchains. Here’s the thing; DeFi relies on this interoperability offered by cross-chain bridges to function effectively. Users are always chasing better yields, fees or access to new projects spread across different networks. 

In simple terms, blockchain bridges break down the walls between crypto ecosystems. They unlock a multi-chain world that allows everyone access opportunities scattered across the crypto market. 

While blockchain bridges basically support moving assets across chains, they do not all function the same way. Their operation depends on the problems they were designed to solve. Generally, blockchain bridges fall into a few categories

Unidirectional vs. Bidirectional Bridges

Unidirectional bridges only let you move assets in one direction. This means you can only send tokens to a sidechaun but not back. On the other hand, a bidirectional bridge supports moving assets both ways. It is more flexible and mostly preferred to the unidirectional bridge. 

Token-Specific vs. General Bridges

These are bridges that only cater to a type of asset. An example is wBTC, where Bitcoin is wrapped and used on Ethereum. General bridges on the other hand, support different tokens and assets like data and NFTs. 

Trusted bridges are centralized in nature, meaning there’s a central authority or team behind them. Think of them as centralized exchanges like Binance, meaning when you use them, you rely on a third-party for security, and to lock and release your funds correctly. They’re usually faster and easier to use. However, you need to select an established operator with a good reputation. A good example is the Binance Bridge operated by the Binance Exchange. 

Trustless bridges use smart contracts and algorithms rather than a middleman. The bridge takes care of all the processes, including locking and minting  assets without needing a third-party. Trustless bridges are better for DeFi due to their decentralized nature. However, they can be more complex and depend on secure coding. 

There are several factors to consider when deciding what bridge works best for your current need. The “right” bridge all comes down to what you prioritize. For some, emphasis could be speed, cost, or even flexibility. Regardless of preference, there are some non-negotiable features every good bridge must offer. Here are some factors to note:

1. Security and Reputation

A good bridge must be secure and have a strong reputation. Crypto platforms like bridges often come under attack. Therefore, using a bridge with poor security isn’t advisable. Check if the bridge has a solid track record and also look out for audits, support from credible projects and community backing.

2. Supported Blockchains and Assets

Before choosing a bridge, ensure that it supports both the blockchain you’re moving from and the one you’re going to. Also confirm that it handles the assets you need, either ETH, NFTs, or stablecoins.

3. Costs and Fees

Some crypto bridges charge more than others. On some, you’ll pay gas fees on the chains involved, so, compare costs, especially if you’re smaller.

4. Speed of Transfers

Time is an important factor in crypto transactions. Some bridges are designed for instant swaps, while others may take a few minutes to even an hour to finalize transfers. For active traders in need of quick movement, prioritize bridges with a reputation for speed.

5. User Experience

A good bridge should be easy to navigate, so the user interface is important. Look for a bridge with clear instructions and good customer support for centralized options.

Blockchain bridges can be useful tools, but can also come with risks if used carelessly. To stay safe and make the most of your transfers, here are some of the best practices to follow:

1. Test the Bridge With Small with Transfers

A smart approach is to start with a small amount of crypto as a way of testing the bridge. This way, if things go wrong, either through a technical glitch or security issue, you won’t lose much.

2. Double-Check the Destination Address

Blockchain transactions are irreversible, unlike traditional banking transfers. Always double-check the address and ensure it’s compatible with the receiving blockchain. A good approach is to use a QR code to avoid errors or copy-paste the address.

3. Understand Fees and Gas Costs

Crypto bridges charge differently, and fees can be high on some compared to others. Check the cost of using a platform, especially for smaller transactions, so fees do not outweigh the value transferred.

4. Use Bridges With Good Reputation

Only use bridges that have been audited or trusted by the crypto community. Avoid using random bridges that are untested, even if they offer lower fees. Reputation and security should come before cost savings.

5. Watch Out for Scams and Fake Links

Fake links and websites that mimic the original bridge are a common trend in crypto. Only use a bridge through its official channels or links from trusted sources. Never click random links from social media or emails and avoid giving out sensitive details.

At Coingape, our goal is to provide practical insight into which are the best blockchain bridges for readers. To achieve this, we’ve developed a system of evaluation that looks beyond hype and popularity. Instead, we focus on major areas like supported chains, security, fees, and user experience.

Supported chains :

Supported chains are important because a bridge is only as useful as the networks it connects. Fees are another important consideration, as high gas costs or bridging charges can easily affect profit.

Security :

We value security as a key part of our evaluation because bridges have historically been  a key target of crypto hacks and attacks. We focus largely on bridges that undergo regular audits, and maintain transparent documentation.

User Experience :

Finally, user experience plays a key role in adoption. This includes transaction speed, listing speed for new tokens and the ease with which new users can navigate a bridge.

By combining these factors, Coingape’s evaluation method ensured that we did not merely highlight popular bridges, but platforms that balance safety, flexibility and accessibility. This way, users can make informed choices and reduce the chances of error. check our detailed review methodology for more details on the process.

Blockchain brides are a key part of the Web3 ecosystem, taking down the barrier between ecosystems, and allowing users to easily move assets and access new opportunities. These bridges are important for DeFi, NFTs and gaming sectors as well as applications that require interoperability.

While blockchain bridges have significant advantages, they also come with risks, particularly around security. That’s why we recommend a careful evaluation of each platform before moving tokens there. As crypto continues to mature, blockchain bridges are becoming secure. Platforms like LayerZero, and Stargate are leading this transformation. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your needs, experience level and preference.