How Do I Bridge USDC With No Source-Chain Gas?
If you hold USDC but no native gas on its network, first send a small amount of that network’s gas token to the same wallet; most routes cannot submit the bridge deposit without it. The deposit is a transaction on the source chain, so only that chain’s native token pays, unless a supported gasless route has a relayer submit your signed request.
Fund Gas On The Network Holding Your USDC
Withdraw the source chain’s native token to the wallet that holds your USDC. An exchange withdrawal sent directly to that same network is usually the simplest option; a second wallet that already has gas there also works. You need the wallet address on the source chain and access to one of those funding options.
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Choose the network where your USDC actually sits, then withdraw a small amount of its gas token to your wallet address on that network. For example, ETH on Ethereum will not pay an Arbitrum transaction: if your USDC is on Arbitrum, withdraw ETH using the Arbitrum network. The token and network must both match.
- Identify the source chain’s native gas token.
- Withdraw a small amount to the same wallet address on that network.
- Wait for the native token balance to appear in your wallet.
- Approve the bridge’s USDC spending, then submit the deposit.
Approval and deposit are often separate transactions, so leave enough gas for both. The required amount depends on the network, transaction conditions, and route; your wallet or route should show an estimate before you confirm. The deposit is complete when its source-chain transaction confirms. That gas pays for the source step; MON on Monad is a separate later need.
A Relayer Can Cover Gas Only On Supported Routes
If the route supports a signed permit and relayer submission for your token, you may be able to authorize the transfer with a signature instead of sending an on-chain approval yourself. The relayer submits the transaction and pays its gas, so this option depends on the route and token — not just on holding USDC.
A Monad bridge moves assets between chains, while this preparation step funds the wallet that must authorize and submit a typical source-chain transfer. If your route does not explicitly offer relayer submission for your USDC, assume you need source-chain gas. A successful signature prompt alone does not mean the deposit has been sent.
To make the process easier next time, save the source chain’s name and gas token beside your wallet address. That small note helps prevent withdrawing gas on the wrong network when you are ready to bridge.
