← Back to Networks archive
Bridges & Wrong-Network Mistakes
How Cross-Chain Bridges Work
A simple explanation of bridge flows, source chains, destination chains, wrapped assets, and bridge settlement.
Network map
What this means
Cross-chain bridges usually lock, burn, mint, release, or message across chains to represent value on another network.
Core ideas
What to understand first
- A bridge starts on a source chain.
- The destination chain receives or unlocks the bridged asset.
- Some bridges use wrapped assets.
- Some bridges depend on relayers, validators, or messaging systems.
User checklist
What to check before moving assets
- Confirm the source chain.
- Confirm the destination chain.
- Check the expected received asset.
- Track both source and destination transactions if available.
Risk note
Common mistakes to avoid
- Bridge assumptions differ by protocol.
- Not all bridged versions have equal liquidity.
- Fake bridge status pages can trick users.