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What Is Arbitrum?
Learn what Arbitrum is, how it relates to Ethereum, how gas works, and what users should check before bridging or swapping.
Network map
What this means
Arbitrum is an Ethereum Layer 2 network designed to make Ethereum-style transactions cheaper and faster while still using Ethereum-related infrastructure.
Core ideas
What to understand first
- Arbitrum is EVM-compatible.
- Users typically pay gas with ETH on Arbitrum.
- Arbitrum has its own explorers, bridges, tokens, and dApps.
- Assets on Arbitrum are not the same as assets on Ethereum mainnet.
User checklist
What to check before moving assets
- Confirm your wallet is on Arbitrum before using Arbitrum apps.
- Use a trusted Arbitrum explorer.
- Check bridge source and destination chains carefully.
- Keep ETH available for Arbitrum gas.
Risk note
Common mistakes to avoid
- Bridge delays can confuse users.
- Wrong-chain token imports can display misleading balances.
- Fake Arbitrum support and bridge pages are common attack surfaces.