Layer 2 (L2) networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon offer faster, cheaper transactions than Ethereum mainnet. If you want to move your crypto securely from Ethereum to an L2, Ledger Live provides a safe way to bridge assets while keeping full control of your private keys.
This guide covers:
✅ What is asset bridging?
✅ Supported L2 networks in Ledger Live
✅ Step-by-step bridging instructions
✅ Security risks and how to avoid them
Please download the last update of Ledger Live Application:
1. Ledger Live for Windows 10/11
2. Ledger Live for MAC
3. Ledger Live for Android
🔹 What Is Asset Bridging?
Bridging transfers tokens between blockchains, such as:
- Ethereum (L1) → Arbitrum (L2)
- Polygon → Optimism
Popular use cases:
- Lower gas fees (L2s are up to 100x cheaper than Ethereum).
- Access DeFi apps (Uniswap, Aave, and Curve on L2s).
🔹 Supported Layer 2 Networks in Ledger Live
Ledger Live integrates with third-party bridges for secure transfers:
| L2 Network | Bridge | Supported Assets |
| Arbitrum | Arbitrum Bridge | ETH, USDC, DAI |
| Optimism | Optimism Gateway | ETH, USDT, WBTC |
| Polygon | Polygon Bridge | MATIC, USDC, AAVE |
| StarkNet | StarkGate | ETH |
(Check Ledger Live’s “Discover” tab for updates.)
🔹 How to Bridge Assets Using Ledger Live
Step 1: Prepare Your Wallet
- Update Ledger Live & firmware (Settings > Manager).
- Ensure you have:
- ETH for gas fees (on the origin chain).
- The token you want to bridge (e.g., USDC).
Step 2: Access the Bridge in Ledger Live
- Open Ledger Live → Go to “Discover” tab.
- Select a bridge (e.g., Arbitrum Bridge).
- Connect your Ledger device (unlock with PIN).
Step 3: Select Tokens & Networks
- Choose:
- Source chain (e.g., Ethereum).
- Destination chain (e.g., Arbitrum).
- Token & amount (e.g., 100 USDC).
- Review estimated fees & time.
Step 4: Approve the Transaction
- Confirm details on your Ledger screen.
- Sign the transaction.
- Wait for completion (2-20 mins, depending on network congestion).
Step 5: Check Your L2 Balance
- Go to your Ledger’s L2 account (e.g., Arbitrum).
- Verify the bridged tokens arrived.
⚠️ Bridging Risks & How to Mitigate Them
1. Smart Contract Risks
- Bridges are common hacking targets (e.g., Nomad Bridge exploit).
✅ Solution: Use official bridges (like Arbitrum’s) via Ledger Live.
2. High Gas Fees (L1 Ethereum)
- Bridging from Ethereum can cost
- 10−
- 10−50+ in gas.
✅ Solution: Bridge during low-traffic times (check Etherscan Gas Tracker).
3. Lost Funds (Wrong Address/Network)
- Sending to the wrong chain can make assets unrecoverable.
✅ Solution: Always double-check destination addresses.
4. Delayed Withdrawals
- Some bridges (e.g., Optimism) have 7-day challenge periods.
✅ Solution: Use instant bridges (like Arbitrum) if speed is critical.
💡 Best Practices for Secure Bridging
✔ Use Ledger’s official integrations (avoid unauthorized bridges).
✔ Start with a small test transaction.
✔ Bookmark bridge URLs to avoid phishing scams.
✔ Monitor transaction status on LayerScan.
🚀 Which Bridge Should You Use?
| Priority | Best Bridge | Why? |
| Security | Arbitrum Bridge | Audited, Ledger-supported |
| Speed | Hop Protocol* | Near-instant transfers |
| Low Fees | Polygon Bridge | Cheap ETH → MATIC transfers |
*Requires WalletConnect + MetaMask with Ledger.
❓ Troubleshooting Common Issues
- “Transaction stuck” → Increase gas or check block explorer.
- “Tokens not showing on L2” → Add the L2 network to Ledger Live manually.
- “Insufficient funds” → Ensure you have ETH for gas on the origin chain.
Conclusion
Bridging assets to Layer 2 networks via Ledger Live lets you save on fees and access scalable DeFi while maintaining maximum security.
Next steps:
- Update your Ledger device.
- Try bridging a small amount first.
- Explore DeFi on L2s (e.g., Arbitrum DApps).
Need help? Visit Ledger’s Bridging Guide.
Happy bridging! 🌉🚀