Understanding cross-chain transfers
Traditional token transfers require:- Sending from and to the same blockchain network
- Holding native tokens for gas fees on that network
- Manually bridging if the recipient is on a different chain
- Network switching in your wallet
- Send to any address on any supported chain
- No gas tokens required
- Automatic cross-chain routing
- One-click execution
Performing a transfer
Navigate to the Transfer page
Click the Transfer tab in the navigation menu to access the transfer interface.
Select the token to send
In the You’re sending section:
- Click the token selector dropdown
- View all tokens you currently hold
- Each token displays:
- Token icon and symbol
- Your total balance across all chains
- USD value of your balance
- Select the token you want to send
Enter the amount
Type the amount of tokens you want to send in the amount input field.Quick percentage buttons are available:
- 25% - Send a quarter of your balance
- 50% - Send half of your balance
- 75% - Send three-quarters of your balance
- MAX - Send your entire balance
Enter the recipient address
In the To section:
- Enter the recipient’s wallet address
- Supported formats:
- Ethereum addresses (e.g.,
0x1234...) - ENS names (e.g.,
vitalik.eth)
- Ethereum addresses (e.g.,
- Valid addresses show no error
- Invalid addresses display “Please enter a valid Ethereum address” in red
Select the recipient network
In the Recipient network dropdown:
- Choose which blockchain the recipient should receive tokens on
- Supported networks include:
- Arbitrum (default)
- Ethereum Mainnet
- Optimism
- Polygon
- Base
- And more
- Each network shows its icon and name
Wait for the quote
After entering all information, OneBalance automatically fetches a transfer quote:
- “Getting quote…” message appears
- The system calculates the optimal route and fees
- Quote loads within 1-2 seconds
Review the quote details
The quote shows:
- Destination amount: How much the recipient will receive
- Network fees: Gas costs and cross-chain fees
- Quote countdown: 30-second validity timer
- Route information: Which chains and bridges are used
Execute the transfer
Click the Transfer button to send the tokens.Button states:
- “Transfer” - Ready to send
- “Getting Quote…” - Fetching quote
- “Executing Transfer…” - Transaction in progress
- “Insufficient Balance” - Not enough tokens
- “Login to Transfer” - Authentication required
Monitor transaction progress
The transaction status component displays:
- Status: PENDING, COMPLETED, or FAILED
- Progress updates: Real-time transaction tracking
- Chain operations: Which blockchains are processing
- Transaction hashes: Links to block explorers
Transfers typically take 1-5 minutes depending on the source and destination chains. The recipient doesn’t need to take any action - tokens arrive automatically.
Recipient address validation
OneBalance validates addresses in real-time:Valid addresses
- Ethereum-style addresses: 42 characters starting with
0x - ENS names: Addresses ending in
.eth - Example valid addresses:
0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f0bEbvitalik.eth
Invalid addresses
If you enter an invalid address:- Red error text appears below the input
- The Transfer button is disabled
- Quotes are not fetched
Choosing the recipient network
The recipient network determines which blockchain the recipient receives tokens on:Why it matters
- Gas fees: Different networks have different fee structures
- Speed: Some networks confirm faster than others
- Recipient preferences: The recipient may prefer specific networks
Network selection tips
Changing the network
You can change the recipient network at any time:- The quote automatically updates for the new network
- Different networks may have different fees
- The destination amount may change based on the network
Understanding transfer fees
Transfer quotes include all costs:- Source chain fees: Gas to initiate the transfer
- Destination chain fees: Gas to deliver tokens
- Bridge fees: If crossing chains (if applicable)
No hidden fees - the quote shows the exact amount the recipient will receive.
Advanced features
Canceling a quote
Before executing the transfer:- Click Cancel Quote to clear the quote
- The form stays populated so you can make adjustments
- Fetch a new quote by changing any parameter
Quote expiration
Transfer quotes expire after 30 seconds:- A countdown timer shows remaining validity
- Expired quotes automatically refresh
- You can only execute valid quotes
Same-token transfers
When transferring tokens:- Source and destination token are the same
- No swapping occurs - just cross-chain transfer
- Simpler routing than swaps
Best practices
Troubleshooting
Address not validating
- Ensure the address starts with
0xand is 42 characters - Check for typos or extra spaces
- Verify it’s an Ethereum-compatible address
- Try an ENS name if available (e.g.,
name.eth)
Quote not loading
- Verify all fields are filled correctly
- Check that the address is valid
- Ensure you have sufficient balance
- Try refreshing the page
Transfer button disabled
The Transfer button may be disabled if:- Address is invalid or empty
- Amount is zero or empty
- Insufficient balance
- Quote hasn’t loaded or has expired
- Not logged in
Transaction failed
If a transfer fails:- Check the transaction status for error details
- View the transaction on block explorers
- Your tokens are automatically refunded
- Try again with a smaller amount
Recipient didn’t receive tokens
- Check the transaction status (may still be pending)
- Verify the recipient address is correct
- Confirm the recipient is checking the correct network
- Wait for blockchain confirmations (can take several minutes)
- Check the transaction hash on the block explorer
Transfer vs. Swap
| Feature | Transfer | Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Send tokens to another address | Exchange one token for another |
| Recipient | Specified address | Your own address |
| Tokens | Same token in and out | Different tokens |
| Use case | Sending to friends, exchanges, other wallets | Trading, portfolio rebalancing |
Use Transfer to send tokens to others. Use Swap to exchange tokens for yourself.