Stargate

Stargate is the bridge to use when you want the real asset on the other side. Bridge a stablecoin or ETH and you receive the native token on the destination chain, not a wrapped derivative. For many users that single property is the whole reason to pick it.

It is built on LayerZero, one of the most widely used cross-chain messaging layers, and launched in 2022.

What is Stargate?

Stargate is a liquidity-pool bridge, not an aggregator. It moves a focused set of high-liquidity assets across major chains using pools that are shared, or unified, across the network.

The design goal is native-asset delivery with reliable finality. That is a different priority from a broad aggregator, which optimizes for finding any route at the best price.

How Stargate works

Liquidity providers deposit assets into shared pools on each chain. When you bridge, Stargate’s algorithm debits the source pool and credits the destination pool in the native asset, while LayerZero carries the message that coordinates the two sides.

Because the pools hold the real asset, you get the real asset out. There is no wrapped token to redeem later.

Supported chains and assets

Stargate spans roughly twenty major chains and concentrates on deep-liquidity assets like USDC, USDT and ETH. That focus is deliberate. It is built to do a smaller set of transfers very reliably rather than support every long-tail token.

If you need an obscure token or a non-EVM chain, an aggregator like Jumper or Rango is a better fit.

Fees: what you actually pay

Stargate charges a small pool fee, commonly in the 0.01 to 0.06 percent range depending on asset and route, plus network gas. For native stablecoin movement that is competitive with the rest of the market.

Speed and reliability

Most transfers settle in about one to three minutes. On its core stablecoin and ETH routes, Stargate is consistent, since those pools carry the deepest liquidity.

Security: how your funds are protected

Stargate’s contracts are audited and the cross-chain messaging runs on LayerZero. The trust assumptions in LayerZero’s verification configuration are part of the model, so larger transfers deserve a moment of homework on how that messaging is secured.

The native-asset approach avoids leaving you holding a wrapped IOU, which removes one common failure mode. As always, verify the official domain before connecting.

Who should use Stargate

• Anyone bridging stablecoins or ETH who wants the native asset delivered.
• Users who value a simple, focused app over a route-shopping aggregator.
• People moving across the major chains Stargate supports.

For token-to-token swaps or exotic chains, route through an aggregator instead.

How to use Stargate safely

1. Confirm you are on stargate.finance.
2. Connect your wallet and pick the asset, source chain and destination chain.
3. Check the fee and the quoted output, especially for larger amounts.
4. Test with a small transfer on an unfamiliar route.
5. Approve and wait for the destination confirmation.

Alternatives to Stargate

For the fastest, cheapest L2 hops, see Across. For the best route found automatically across many bridges, use Jumper. The full lineup is on the best cross-chain routers page.

Verdict

Stargate is a strong, focused pick when you specifically want native stablecoins or ETH on the destination chain. For arbitrary swaps or unusual chains, let an aggregator route the trade and include Stargate as one option.