Swapping on Layer 2: How to Use Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base for Cheaper Swaps

Layer 2 networks process transactions off Ethereum mainnet and settle them in batches, reducing gas costs by 95–99%. A swap that costs $5–20 on Ethereum mainnet costs $0.01–0.50 on Arbitrum, Base, or Optimism. For frequent traders, the savings are substantial.

L2 networks also offer faster confirmation times (1–2 seconds vs 12+ seconds on Ethereum), making the swap experience feel instant. The security of Ethereum mainnet is inherited through periodic batch settlements.

Arbitrum has the highest TVL among L2 networks and supports the widest range of tokens. ETH, USDC, USDT, WBTC, ARB, and hundreds of ERC-20 tokens are available. DEXs like Camelot, SushiSwap, and Uniswap operate on Arbitrum with deep liquidity.

Gas fees on Arbitrum: typically $0.05–0.50 per swap. ETH bridging from Ethereum to Arbitrum takes 1–10 minutes depending on the bridge. AEXI supports direct swaps on Arbitrum and cross-chain routes to/from Arbitrum.

Base is built on the OP Stack and backed by Coinbase. It has rapidly grown to become one of the most popular L2 networks, with native USDC support and growing DeFi ecosystem. Base is ideal for stablecoin swaps and ETH trading.

Gas fees on Base: typically $0.01–0.10 per swap — among the lowest of any EVM network. cbBTC (Coinbase Wrapped Bitcoin) is natively available on Base, making it a popular destination for BTC-to-ETH rotations.

1. Bridge assets from Ethereum to your chosen L2 using AEXI (cross-chain swap from ETH mainnet to Arbitrum/Base/Optimism). 2. Or use a native bridge (Arbitrum Bridge, Base Bridge, Optimism Bridge) to move assets directly. 3. Once assets are on L2, swap directly on the network — gas fees are minimal.

4. On AEXI, simply select your source and destination tokens on the same L2 network for a same-chain swap at L2 gas rates. 5. For cross-L2 swaps (e.g., Arbitrum USDC → Base USDC), AEXI routes through the optimal bridge automatically.