How to move USDC to Arbitrum
Arbitrum has cheap fees and a large USDC market, but it has two kinds of USDC. Here is how to move yours there from Ethereum or Base and make sure you get the right one.
Two kinds of USDC on Arbitrum
- USDC is native, issued directly on Arbitrum by Circle since June 2023. This is the one to use.
- USDC.e is the older version, bridged from Ethereum. It was called “USDC” until native USDC arrived, which is why older guides and apps can be confusing.
If you end up with USDC.e, you can swap it for USDC on Arbitrum. The Base guide explains the same idea for USDbC.
Before you start
- Your wallet address is the same on Ethereum, Base and Arbitrum if you use a normal wallet such as MetaMask or Rabby.
- You need a little ETH on the network you are sending from to pay the network fee. If you have none, see how to get ETH for gas.
- Add Arbitrum One to your wallet so you can see the USDC when it arrives.
Step by step
- Open the swap page and connect your wallet.
- In You sell, pick USDC on the network it is on now (Ethereum or Base).
- In You receive, pick USDC and set the destination network to Arbitrum.
- Check the quote: the token should be USDC, not USDC.e, and the amount you receive is shown after every fee.
- Approve USDC if your wallet asks, then sign the order.
- Switch your wallet to Arbitrum to see the balance once it arrives, usually within minutes.
Coming from Base? Starting from Base is usually much cheaper than starting from Ethereum, because the network fee on the sending side is far lower.
Mistakes to avoid
- Depositing USDC.e to an exchange that expects USDC. Check which token the exchange lists for Arbitrum before you send.
- Choosing “Arbitrum Nova” instead of “Arbitrum One”. They are different networks. Most people want Arbitrum One.
- Trusting the token name alone. Compare the contract with Circle's official list. See how to spot fake tokens.
Nothing here is financial advice. Crypto transactions cannot be reversed.