# Venom Bridge Basics
In the simplest terms, a bridge in the crypto context is a blockchain tool which allows you to move your digital assets from one blockchain to another
[Why are bridges needed?](/general/venom-bridge-basics/why-are-bridges-needed)
[Do bridges really send the tokens from one blockchain to another blockchain?](/general/venom-bridge-basics/do-bridges-really-send-the-tokens-from-one-blockchain-to-another-blockchain)
[Can all tokens be bridged between the networks?](/general/venom-bridge-basics/can-all-tokens-be-bridged-between-the-networks)
[What can I do with Venom Bridge?](/general/venom-bridge-basics/what-can-i-do-with-venom-bridge)
[What will I need to do the bridging operation between Venom network and another one?](/general/venom-bridge-basics/what-will-i-need-to-do-the-bridging-operation-between-venom-network-and-another-one)
[What are the special features of Venom Bridge?](/general/venom-bridge-basics/what-are-the-special-features-of-venom-bridge)
# Why are bridges needed?
A bridge is used to port assets from one blockchain to another blockchain. This way it solves one of the main problems of the blockchain technology itself – the lack of interoperability between the blockchain networks.
# Do bridges really send the tokens from one blockchain to another blockchain?
No, bridges do not actually send the tokens from blockchain network A to blockchain network B.
Instead, they lock the asset in question on one blockchain network and then release a synthetic derivative token called “wrapped” token which exist in parity with the locked token on another blockchain network.
# Can all tokens be bridged between the networks?
No, not all tokens have their synthetic counterparts on all networks. It is very likely that you will be in a possession of some tokens which you won’t be able to bridge to another network that you use.
# What can I do with Venom Bridge?
With Venom Bridge you can transfer tokens between the following blockchain networks: Fantom Opera, Binance Smart Chain, Ethereum Network and of course Venom Network.
# What will I need to do the bridging operation between Venom network and another one?
At the time of writing this, in order to perform the bridging operations, you would have to connect two wallets, one of course should be the Venom Wallet to be on the side of Venom Network and another might be either Metamask, Wallet Connect or Coinbase Wallet.
# What are the special features of Venom Bridge?
Venom allows for the ability to choose, in which token and on what network to pay the gas fee. In addition to that, Venom Bridge always allows to pay gas fee in $VENOM. And if you are bridging to $VENOM it also allows you to get some extra $VENOM in the process, you would would have it to be able to conduct transactions on $VENOM.
Also Venom Bridge has the [**Hidden Bridge**](broken://spaces/wizm412q6BCOOzKrv3Qz/pages/Cc8VStkmcsfyPNTrRdZK) technology which allows for cross-chain bridging over the Venom Network where you would pay the gas fee only once, and with the ability to pay the gas fee in $VENOM.
# How does a bridging between EVM compatible networks occur?
When a user undergoes a bridging transaction, the following processes occur:
Step 1: User’s tokens are being deposited on the Bridge contract
Step 2: Bridge contract requests Handler contract to perform a deposit action
Step 3: Handler contract locks the deposited tokens in the token safe
Step 4: The Bridge contract does the emission of the `Deposit` event
Step 5: The Relayer receives the `Deposit` event from the source chain
Step 6: The Relayer creates a vote proposal on the destination chain to mint new tokens (in parity with the deposited tokens)
Step 7: The proposal is being executed after the threshold relayer has voted
Step 8: Tokens are being minted and deposited to the address of the recipient
Mind that the process of bridging tokens from the source network to the destination network would involve a process which is called “lock and mint” as it locks the tokens on the source network and mints then on the destination network.
And the opposite process of bridging tokens from the destination network to the source network is called “burn and release”. That is when the tokens on the destination chain are being burned before the tokens on the source network are being released.
# What is a "Hidden bridge"?
Hidden Bridge is a special feature that has been developed for Venom Bridges on order to enable Venom users to transfer their tokens between EVM compatible blockchains in seamless and cost-efficient manner. When the cross-network bridging is happening, it happens via the Venom network, however it all happens in a seamless manner from the point of view of the user, as if the transfer were happening directly. If the user in question had to do the serious of transactions manually, the user would have to go over a series of transactions and cover the gas fee every time. But with the usage of Hidden Bridge technology the gas fee should be covered only once to complete all the bridging transactions necessary to achieve the ultimate goal.
Also, what may be called a feature inside a feature of the Hidden Bridge is that the gas fee can be paid on an EVM compatible network which can be chosen by the user who undergoes the bridging transaction via the Hidden Bridge. So if, for example, the bridging is happening from BSC - via Venom network – to Fantom network, the user can choose, in native tokens of which network the fee will be paid. And as an additional advantage, it means that the user does not have to hold $VENOM in their wallet to complete the bridging transaction. The smart contract will execute all the bridging transactions and then will calculate and deduct the fee on the chosen network.
# How Venom Bridge transfers function
The Mechanics of Venom Bridge transfers
When the Venom Bridge transfers the assets between chains, it locks the assets in the input chain and creates the same amount of wrapped tokens on the output chain.
The very process which is assumed to be the asset transfer between the blockchains via the so-called bridge does not actually send any tokens from one blockchain to another. Instead it’s the work by smart contracts which lock the tokens on one blockchain and produce and then release on another.
For example, when you plan to move such tokens as ETH from Ethereum network to Venom, the Venom bridge would lock ETH on Ethereum network, then create the equivalent number of new wETH tokens on Venom network. And when you would like to “move” your wETH tokens from Venom network back to Ethereum Network, these wETH tokens will get burned and the equivalent amount of ETH will be released to you on Venom network.
In order to maintain the parity of equivalent tokens between the chains, a special interchain two-way binding system is applied, though which the communication between chains is established. This system also keeps in check the values of a token on both blockchain to keep the in parity.
# How to Bridge
### What do you need
1\. Google Chrome Browser (download here: ) for Desktop version\
**OR**\
Dedicated App on iOS (link) or Android respectively (link)
2\. Native tokens on the network from which bridging is initiated for gas fees (i.e. VENOM token if the bridge initiated from VENOM network or ETH if bridge is initiated from Ethereum network)
3\. Some $VENOM tokens for gas fees (which are paid for processing the blockchain), and Bridge fee (not necessary, but applicable in some kinds of bridging) more on how to get $VENOM read here: [https://app.gitbook.com/o/7JxdKLK2MiYa1AjGhx5t/s/l0v26Cc9g4XIAguMQZMx/dex/how-to-set-up-venom-wallet](https://docs.web3.world/getting-started/how-to-set-up-venom-wallet)
4\. Registered VENOM wallet account. More on how to register one read here: [link](https://docs.web3.world/getting-started/how-to-set-up-venom-wallet)
5\. Registered EVM compatible wallet to connect to the opposite side of the bridge. The most popular such wallet is Metamask. How to register Metamask account read here:
### Step-by-step guide: Bridging from Venom to EVM Compatible Network
Note: for the sake of example, we will be bridging wBTC token from VENOM Network to Fantom Opera network
1\. Connect the wallet on the input (From) side – in our example we connect VENOM wallet:
a. In order to accomplish that press Connect wallet button on the left Connect Wallet. If you have to used the wallet during this session yet, you will be prompted to enter the password. Then, when promoted, press Connect button.
2\. Connect the wallet on the output (To) side – in our example we connect Metamask wallet and choose Fantom Network
a. Similarly, as during the previous step, you may be prompted to press the
3\. Choose the token to be bridged (wBTC in our case):
a. Note that in order to bridge native tokens (like VENOM from VENOM network) to other networks, you should first swap the token to its wrapped version (i.e. wVENOM)
4\. Enter the amount of tokens to be bridged
5\. On the right tab you will see the bridging fee + gas fee on VENOM network as well as the gas fee on Fantom Opera Network -> see the screenshot below
6\. Press Continue
7\. You will be moved to the screen where you will have to confirm the transactions on your wallets -> see the screenshot below
8\. 
9\. Press Release Transfer
10\. You will be prompted by the Output Wallet to confirm the transaction. Click Send.
a. In case with VENOM wallet you will also be required to enter VENOM wallet password at this step to confirm the transaction. After entering it click Confirm Transaction
11\. Wait for the second stage. You will see “transfer checked by relayers” and the count of relayers. This stage normally takes less than a minute.
12\. In the third stage you should press Release Transfer and you will be prompted by the wallet on the output side to approve the transaction.
a. Note: at this stage you can be prompted to switch the network of the receiving wallet if it is currently set to another network (not the one which is on the output side of the transaction.
13\. Approve the transaction and wait until it is completed.
14\. Great news – you have completed the bridging operation
#### Note: Extra steps to take when bridging to Venom from EVM Compatible Network to Venom wallet with no VENOM tokens on Venom wallet
When you are bridging to Venom network but has no VENOM on your Vernom wallet, you can still complete the bridging operation. For example, let’s bridge 100 $YOSHI from Fantom Opera network to VENOM network, for that:
1\. Start as usual, by choosing Venom network on the output (To) side and the desired network on the input (From) side
2\. Then choose the token which you would like to bridge (in our example it’s 100 $YOSHI)
3\. Turn on the setting which says *”Swap YOSHI to Pay Venom Gas”* -> see the screenshot below, the button is indicated with the red circle
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4\. The tab on right is showing how many $YOSHI will be swapped for VENOM to cover the fees on the Venom network as well as estimated fee on Fatntom network. Also it shows how many $YOSHI will be put on the Venom wallet after the bridge
5\. Confirm by pressing Continue and follow the steps as per the instructions above
# What are the commission fees for bridging with Venom Bridge?
When a user bridges tokens from other EVM networks to Venom network, the commission fee is 0% (with the exception of wVenom (wrapped $VENOM), bridging which would be for a commission fee of 0.1%).
When a user bridges tokens from Venom network to other EVM networks, the commission fee is 1% (with the exception of wVenom (wrapped $VENOM), bridging which would be for a commission fee of 0%).
A user should also remember that the gas fee always occurs, however with a Hidden Bridge technology applied at Venom Bridges a gas fee is paid only once even if bridging occurs between two EVM networks across Venom network.
Read further to learn more about this Hidden Bridge feature.