Guides
Plain-English answers to the questions that cost people money: networks, bridges, fees, swaps and scams.
Moving between networks
How to move USDC from Ethereum to Base
Move USDC from Ethereum to Base safely: what you need before you start, each step, what it costs, and the mistakes that lose people money.
How to move USDC to Arbitrum
Move USDC to Arbitrum from Ethereum or Base, step by step, and make sure you receive native USDC rather than the older bridged USDC.e.
How to get USDC on Base
Three ways to get USDC on Base: withdraw from an exchange, move it from another network, or swap ETH on Base. Costs and pitfalls for each.
The cheapest network to send USDC
Sending USDC can cost a fraction of a cent or several dollars, depending on the network. Typical costs by network, and how to pick the right one.
What is a crypto bridge, and is it safe?
How crypto bridges move tokens between networks, the three ways they work, why they get hacked, and how to use them more safely.
Swapping
How to swap ETH to USDC (and keep fees low)
Swap ETH for USDC from your own wallet: which network to use, what slippage to set, what it costs, and how to avoid bots and bad prices.
No ETH for gas? How to get it when you only have USDC
Have USDC but no ETH to pay network fees? How to swap for ETH without already holding any, and the other ways to top up gas.
USDC vs USDbC on Base: what's the difference?
Base has two kinds of USDC: native USDC issued by Circle and the older bridged USDbC. What the difference is, why it matters, and how to switch.
USDT vs USDC: what's the difference?
USDT and USDC are both dollar stablecoins, but they differ in who issues them, what backs them, how they are checked and where they are accepted.
What is a sandwich attack (MEV), and how do you avoid it?
Sandwich attacks quietly make your swaps more expensive. How MEV bots do it, how to tell it happened, and how to swap without giving them the chance.
Safety and mistakes
Sent crypto to the wrong network? What to do next
Sent tokens on the wrong network? Whether you can get them back depends on where they went. Here is how to work out which case you are in and what to do.
How to spot fake tokens and poisoned addresses
Two of the most common crypto scams: fake tokens that copy real names, and look-alike addresses planted in your history. How to protect yourself.
What is a token approval, and how do you revoke one?
Token approvals let apps spend your tokens. What they are, why unlimited approvals and signed permits are risky, and how to check and revoke them.