Aibai is a cross-chain crypto bridge whose routes can differ by the token received and the way it moves between networks. The route must support both networks and the exact token you need, so check Aibai before signing. For Aibai bridge crypto transfers, compare the received asset, net amount, wait time, and security model.
A route fits only when its source network, input token, destination network, and output token match your plan. A token name alone is not enough: two tokens called USDC on the same network can have different contract addresses, and an application may accept only one. Check the destination application’s required token contract before choosing a route.
Read the quote in this order, since the cheapest-looking fee can hide a different output token or a costly final step:
For example, say you start with 200 USDC and a quote promises at least 199.40 USDC on the destination network. The 0.60 USDC difference is 0.3% of the amount sent; if source gas costs another 0.80 USDC, the illustrated total cost is 1.40 USDC. Bridge crypto with Aibai only after checking that the destination token is the version you can actually use.
A liquidity transfer is best when you want the same usable asset on another network without waiting for the underlying bridge to settle. You deposit on the source chain, and a relayer or liquidity pool supplies tokens already held on the destination chain. The provider settles or rebalances its position afterward, so your arrival can take seconds or minutes when liquidity and network conditions allow.
This route fits a routine move, such as getting USDC into a wallet that will spend USDC on another supported network. It does not fit when the destination pool lacks enough liquidity for your amount, or when its “USDC” output is a bridged version the receiving application rejects. A large transfer may receive a worse quote, a longer estimate, or no quote at all.
The cost usually reflects source gas plus a fee for destination gas, liquidity, and the relayer’s capital. Inspect the promised output amount instead of comparing fee percentages alone. Also check the route’s settlement design: quick delivery may rely on a relayer advancing funds before the source deposit is finally settled.
A native burn-and-mint route is best when the destination requires issuer-native USDC and that route is available for both networks. USDC is destroyed on the source chain; after the burn is confirmed and attested, an equivalent amount is minted on the destination chain. No pool of prepositioned USDC has to fill your transfer, and the result is native USDC rather than a wrapped claim on locked tokens.
The sequence matters when you are waiting for funds. First comes any token approval, then the burn transaction, source-chain confirmations, an attestation, and finally the destination mint; some interfaces complete the last step for you, while others ask you to claim. Allow several minutes and follow the transfer status instead of judging completion from the source transaction alone.
This type does not fit a token other than the one the issuer supports, an unsupported network pair, or a situation where you need a different destination asset. Its security depends partly on the issuer and attestation process, so “native” does not mean the transfer has no outside trust assumption. Check the quote for any fast-transfer charge and for who pays the destination transaction fee.
A lock-and-mint route is best when the receiving application accepts a specific wrapped token and no native version meets your purpose. The bridge locks an asset on the source chain, then issues a representation on the destination chain. On the return trip, the representation is burned and the locked asset is released, subject to the bridge’s redemption rules.
Wrapped Bitcoin illustrates why the token contract matters more than the familiar name: a wrapped token represents a claim or backing arrangement, rather than Bitcoin moving onto another blockchain. Before sending, check which entity or contracts control the locked collateral and which exact wrapped token the destination application accepts. That backing arrangement remains relevant for as long as you hold the wrapped token.