How to swap EVM assets across chains
Step-by-step guide to moving Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) between Ethereum, Arbitrum, and other supported networks using Garden Finance
How to Swap WBTC Cross-Chain
Move your Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) between different blockchain networks. Garden Finance enables seamless cross-chain transfers without requiring you to unwrap to Bitcoin first.
This guide covers transferring WBTC between different networks such as Ethereum to Arbitrum, Arbitrum to Ethereum, or to other supported chains. The process typically completes in under 30 seconds.
Supported Networks
Garden Finance supports WBTC on multiple networks:
Ethereum
Mainnet WBTC
Most established with highest liquidity
Higher gas fees but maximum DeFi compatibility
Arbitrum
Layer 2 WBTC
Lower fees and faster transactions
Growing DeFi ecosystem
What You’ll Need
Wallet Requirements
- EVM Wallet: MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or other EVM-compatible wallet
- Source Network: WBTC on the blockchain you’re moving from
- Destination Network: Gas tokens for the destination network (if needed)
Network Assets
- WBTC tokens on the source network
- Gas fees for transaction approval (ETH on Ethereum, ARB on Arbitrum)
Common Cross-Chain Routes
Ethereum to Arbitrum
Moving WBTC from Ethereum to Arbitrum for lower transaction costs.
Connect Wallet
- Visit Garden Finance
- Connect your EVM wallet containing Ethereum WBTC
- Ensure your wallet is connected to Ethereum network
Configure Cross-Chain Swap
- Send Section: Select WBTC on Ethereum
- Receive Section: Select WBTC on Arbitrum
- Enter the amount you want to transfer
- The interface will show you the receiving address (same as your sending address on different network)
Review Transfer Details
- Source: WBTC on Ethereum
- Destination: WBTC on Arbitrum
- Rate: Should be approximately 1:1 (minus fees)
- Gas Cost: Ethereum gas fees for approval
- Completion Time: Usually under 30 seconds
Execute Transfer
- Click Swap to initiate the transfer
- Approve the WBTC transaction in your wallet
- Pay the Ethereum gas fees
- Monitor progress on the Garden interface
Verify Receipt
- Switch your wallet to Arbitrum network
- Check that WBTC appears in your wallet on Arbitrum
- You can now use WBTC in Arbitrum DeFi protocols
Arbitrum to Ethereum
Moving WBTC from Arbitrum back to Ethereum mainnet.
Setup
- Connect your wallet to Garden Finance
- Switch your wallet to Arbitrum network
- Ensure you have WBTC on Arbitrum and enough ARB for gas
Configure Reverse Swap
- Send: WBTC on Arbitrum
- Receive: WBTC on Ethereum
- Enter transfer amount
Complete Transfer
- Approve the transaction (low Arbitrum gas fees)
- Wait for completion
- Switch wallet to Ethereum to see received WBTC
Why Move WBTC Cross-Chain?
Cost Optimization
Lower Fees: Move to Arbitrum for cheaper DeFi transactions
Batch Operations: Perform multiple operations on L2 then return to mainnet
Ecosystem Access
Different DeFi Protocols: Access unique opportunities on each network
Liquidity Arbitrage: Take advantage of price differences between chains
Network Comparison
| Aspect | Ethereum | Arbitrum |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Fees | High during congestion | Very low |
| Transaction Speed | 12-15 seconds | 1-2 seconds |
| DeFi Ecosystem | Most mature | Growing rapidly |
| Security | Highest (Layer 1) | Inherits Ethereum security |
| WBTC Liquidity | Highest | Good and growing |
Advanced Strategies
DeFi Arbitrage
- Monitor Rates: Watch for rate differences between networks
- Move Capital: Transfer WBTC to the network with better opportunities
- Execute Strategy: Participate in farming, lending, or trading
- Return Profits: Move gains back to preferred network
Cost Management
- Batch Transactions: Accumulate transactions on Arbitrum
- Strategic Timing: Move during low Ethereum gas periods
- Fee Planning: Consider gas costs in your profit calculations
Security Considerations
Same Address: Your WBTC will appear at the same wallet address on the destination network. Garden’s atomic swaps ensure safe cross-chain transfers.
Network Verification: Always verify you’re on the correct network before initiating transfers. Sending to wrong networks may result in permanent loss.
Gas Requirements: Ensure you have gas tokens on both source and destination networks for optimal experience.
Fees and Timing
Fee Structure
- Source Network Gas: Pay gas on the network you’re sending from
- Garden Protocol Fee: Small percentage for the cross-chain service
- No Double Bridge Fees: Direct cross-chain transfer without multiple bridge hops
Timing Expectations
- Approval: Immediate wallet confirmation
- Processing: 30 seconds typical completion time
- Finality: Near-instant availability on destination network
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Transaction Stuck
- Check Network: Ensure wallet is on correct source network
- Gas Price: Increase gas price if transaction is pending
- Cancel & Retry: Cancel stuck transaction and retry with higher gas
Wrong Network
- Prevention: Double-check network selection before confirming
- Recovery: If sent to wrong network, contact Garden support immediately
- Verification: Always verify destination network in Garden interface
Insufficient Balance
- Gas Tokens: Ensure you have ETH (Ethereum) or ARB (Arbitrum) for gas
- WBTC Balance: Verify you have enough WBTC plus a small buffer for precision
- Fee Reserve: Keep some gas tokens for future transactions
After Your Cross-Chain Transfer
Verify Receipt
Switch your wallet to the destination network and confirm WBTC arrival
Update Portfolio
Your portfolio trackers should reflect the new network location
Explore Opportunities
Research DeFi protocols available on your new network
Popular Use Cases
Moving to Arbitrum
- DeFi Farming: Lower fees for yield farming strategies
- Active Trading: Cheaper transactions for frequent trading
- Experimentation: Test strategies with lower gas costs
Moving to Ethereum
- Blue-Chip DeFi: Access to most established protocols
- Maximum Liquidity: Largest liquidity pools and trading volume
- New Protocol Access: Many protocols launch on Ethereum first
Related Guides
BTC to WBTC
Wrap Bitcoin to get WBTC for cross-chain transfers
WBTC to BTC
Unwrap WBTC back to native Bitcoin
Need Help?
- Discord Support: Join our community for assistance
- Technical Issues: Check our troubleshooting guide
- Documentation: Review our developer docs for integration details
Cross-chain WBTC transfers open up new DeFi opportunities across different networks. Always verify network compatibility before interacting with new protocols.