A bridge transfer moves tokens from one blockchain to another. The key check is that the destination chain shows the tokens before you try again. An exchange gives you one withdrawal record. The acrossbridge service uses a relayer, a party that pays out tokens on the destination chain, before the protocol finishes its later settlement. So a destination fill, not final settlement, shows that your transfer arrived.
Check the two transactions in order
Start with the transaction on the chain where you sent the tokens. Open its transaction hash, a unique receipt number, in that chain’s block explorer, a website that displays public transactions. Check that it says “Success” and that the token and amount match your transfer.
Then check the destination chain and the wallet address you selected as recipient. A successful send on the first chain proves only that your transfer was submitted; it does not prove that the destination payment has arrived. For example, if you sent 100 USDC from Arbitrum to Base, look for the quoted output amount of USDC in your Base wallet, not 100 USDC by default.
Across moves funds through an intent: your request to receive a specified token amount on another chain. A relayer fronts its own tokens to fill that request, then gets repaid later. This is why the destination transaction can appear before the protocol’s settlement work is complete.
Use the status to decide what to do
A status page or tracker can show whether the transfer is pending, filled, expired, or refunded. “Pending” means the transfer was submitted but has not yet been filled. Across says many mainnet transfers fill in about two seconds, but that is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Suppose your Arbitrum transaction succeeds at 14:02, but the Base wallet still looks unchanged at 14:03. First, check the transfer’s status and destination transaction. Confirm you are viewing Base and the same recipient address. Some wallets hide a token until you add its token contract, the on-chain identifier for that token; check the contract shown for the transfer before adding anything.
If the status remains pending, wait and check it again instead of submitting a second transfer. A slow fill can happen if relayers are unavailable or the route has unusual demand. Sending again creates a separate transfer and could make you pay twice.
Know what an expired transfer means
“Expired” means the deadline passed without a relayer filling the transfer; it does not mean the refund has already reached your wallet. The original tokens remain held by the bridge contract while the protocol processes the refund. Check the status for “refunded” and verify the refund transaction on the origin chain before using the funds again.
If the transfer appears filled but the tokens are still missing, compare the destination transaction’s recipient, token, and amount with your original quote. A different wallet address or a hidden token can make a completed transfer look absent. If those details match and the wallet still shows no funds, use the bridge’s official support route with your transaction hash; never share your seed phrase, the secret words that control your wallet.
For your next transfer, use these checks:
- Confirm the origin transaction says “Success.”
- Check the destination chain, recipient, and quoted token amount.
- Use the tracker to distinguish pending, filled, expired, and refunded.
- Wait for a refund to complete before sending again.