Canonical or Alternate: How to Choose a Route Between Networks

Most networks have two types of routes: a canonical (official) bridge and a dozen third-party ones. The choice is always a trade-off between risk and speed.

Canonical Bridges

Built into the network’s architecture (the rollup bridge is part of the protocol): maximum security, “native” assets at the output. Cons: speed (with optimistic rollups, withdrawals take days) and gas fees. For large amounts and “permanent” solutions, this is the default choice.

Third-Party Bridges and Intents

Fast routes operate through liquidity pools or solver networks (intent model: you submit a request; the executor instantly provides the asset on the target network and handles your slow withdrawal themselves). Speed: seconds to minutes. Cost: fees for using third-party capital and an additional layer of trust-bridge contracts, its validators/solvers, and the depth of its pools.

Routing Rules

• Large and non-urgent transactions-always use the canonical bridge.
• Small and urgent-top third-party bridge aggregators (which compare price and time).
• Check WHAT you’ll receive: the native asset or the bridge wrapper-the wrapper is worthless without its own bridge.
• Don’t bridge to illiquid markets: exiting an exotic network can cost more than entering it.
• For large amounts-split them up: pool limits and slippage are still a thing.

Incidents and route ratings-see the “Bridges” section.