Part of the complete guide: Crypto lottery: the complete guide
Way 1: withdraw from an exchange
- 1Buy or hold USDC or USDT on a large exchange that supports Arbitrum.
- 2Open the withdrawal screen for that coin.
- 3Choose the network "Arbitrum One" (not Ethereum, not another).
- 4Paste your wallet address from the wallet that will pay for tickets.
- 5Do a small test withdrawal first, then withdraw the amount you need.
- 6Repeat the process for a small amount of ETH on Arbitrum One for fees.
Exchanges show the network fee and the minimum withdrawal before you confirm. Read both.
Way 2: bridge from Ethereum
If your funds are already on Ethereum mainnet, you can move them with a bridge. Arbitrum's official bridge is the baseline option, and there are third-party bridges that are faster for a fee. Bridging costs Ethereum gas, which can be a few dollars, so it only makes sense for larger amounts.
- 1Open the official Arbitrum bridge by typing the address yourself or using a bookmark.
- 2Connect your wallet and choose Ethereum to Arbitrum One.
- 3Pick the token and the amount. Bridge a little extra ETH for fees.
- 4Confirm in your wallet and wait for the funds to arrive.
Way 3: swap on Arbitrum
If you already hold ETH or another token on Arbitrum, you can swap some of it for USDC or USDT on a reputable decentralised exchange. Check the token contract address against the issuer's official listing so you do not buy a look-alike. Keep some ETH aside for gas.
How much ETH for gas?
A few cents per transaction is typical. A couple of dollars worth of ETH covers dozens of payments. Having a small buffer means you do not get stuck without fees.
How to avoid mistakes
- Pick "Arbitrum One" exactly. Similar names exist.
- Check the token: USDC (native) or USDT, not a similarly named token.
- Test with a small amount.
- Verify you are on the official bridge or exchange, not a lookalike.
- Confirm the funds arrived on Arbitrum in your wallet before paying.
An example journey
- 1You buy 30 USDC on an exchange with your local currency.
- 2You withdraw 25 USDC to your wallet address on the Arbitrum One network, as a test.
- 3You withdraw 2 dollars worth of ETH to the same address on Arbitrum One for fees.
- 4You check both in your wallet, on the Arbitrum network.
- 5You buy your tickets using the wallet payment.
Costs to expect
| Step | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Buying stablecoins on an exchange | A small trading fee |
| Withdrawal to Arbitrum | A flat fee set by the exchange, often small |
| Wallet payment on Arbitrum | A few cents of ETH |
Costs vary by exchange and over time. The exchange shows its withdrawal fee before you confirm.
If something goes wrong
If funds do not show up, look up the transaction ID on the Arbitrum block explorer. If it shows as completed to your address, check that your wallet is displaying the right network and that the token is added. If the exchange sent to the wrong network, contact its support promptly with the transaction ID.
Example costs for getting $100 to Arbitrum
| Route | Approximate cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Buy USDC on an exchange and withdraw to Arbitrum One | Trading fee plus a flat withdrawal fee of a dollar or less in many cases | Minutes |
| Bridge from Ethereum with the official bridge | Ethereum gas of a few dollars, plus Arbitrum fee | Minutes to an hour |
| Swap on Arbitrum from ETH you already hold | A swap fee and cents of gas | Seconds |
Illustrative only. Fees change, and the exchange shows the exact amount before you confirm.
Safety checks
- Use the official bridge address from the project's own site, not from a search ad.
- Check you have selected "Arbitrum One" and not a similarly named network.
- Do a small test first.
- Never share your recovery phrase with a bridge or a swap site.
Ready?
A weekly draw you can check yourself.
$5 tickets, a public random value, and every result published with the data to recompute it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: withdrawing or bridging?
Withdrawing directly to Arbitrum from an exchange is usually cheaper and simpler.
Do I need to bridge to pay with Pay with crypto?
No. The payment page accepts several networks. Bridging only matters for the wallet route on Arbitrum.
Can I use USDC and USDT?
Yes, either one for the wallet route.
What if my funds do not arrive?
Check the transaction on the Arbitrum block explorer. If you used the wrong network, contact the exchange.
Which exchanges support Arbitrum withdrawals?
Many large exchanges do. Check the withdrawal network list before you buy.
Is bridging safe?
Official bridges are widely used, but bridges are a common hacking target. Use only official ones.
Do I need ETH to receive USDC?
No, only to send it.