Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about using AstralBeam.

General Questions

What is AstralBeam?

AstralBeam is a cross-chain bridge connecting Casper Network with EVM-compatible blockchains (Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum). It enables users to transfer tokens between these networks securely.

How does the bridge work?

The bridge uses a lock-and-mint mechanism:

  1. Lock tokens on the source chain
  2. Relayers monitor the event and sign attestations
  3. Mint equivalent tokens on the destination chain

For return trips, it's burn-and-unlock:

  1. Burn wrapped tokens on the destination chain
  2. Relayers monitor and sign
  3. Unlock original tokens on the source chain

Is the bridge decentralized?

AstralBeam uses a federated model with 5 independent relayers operated by different entities. A 3-of-5 multi-signature threshold ensures no single relayer can act alone. This provides security while maintaining operational efficiency.

What tokens can I bridge?

Currently supported tokens include:

  • Sepolia: USDC, WETH, LINK
  • Base Sepolia: USDC, WETH
  • Casper: Native CSPR, bridged tokens

See Supported Tokens for the full list with addresses.

Using the Bridge

How long does bridging take?

Direction Typical Time
EVM → Casper ~13 minutes on Ethereum, much faster on L2 networks
Casper → EVM ~30-60 seconds

The time depends on block finality requirements:

  • EVM chains: 64 block confirmations for Ethereum (with 12 second blocks). Faster on L2 EVM chains such as Base, Polygon, Arbitrum.
  • Casper: instant finality with 8 second blocks

What fees do I pay?

You pay two types of fees:

  1. Gas fees - Transaction costs on source and destination chains
  2. Bridge fee - Small fixed fee for bridge operation (the minting of your tokens on the destination chain)

Current bridge fees:

  • EVM to Casper: 0.0001 ETH
  • Casper to EVM: 50 CSPR

Why is Casper → EVM faster?

Casper uses instant finality with 8 second blocks, making it much faster than probabilistic finality on EVM chains.

Can I cancel a bridge transaction?

No, once you've locked tokens, the transaction cannot be canceled. The tokens will either be minted on the destination chain (success) or remain locked until the bridge completes (pending). On some routes a sent transfer can also wait at the other side, or be on hold until something clears. It is never cancelled or refunded, and the app shows where it is. See Transfer Limits and Status.

Why can't I send this amount?

Each route has a smallest and a largest amount per transfer, and only so much room at a time. If your amount doesn't fit, the app says so and, when a smaller amount fits, offers it for you to tap. See Transfer Limits and Status.

What happens if my transaction fails?

Bridge transactions are designed to be atomic:

  • If the source chain lock fails, no tokens are transferred
  • If destination minting fails, the relayers will retry
  • If repeated destination execution still fails, operators follow the recovery runbook: inspect relayer logs, verify token mappings/liquidity/recipient constraints, pause the affected flow if needed, and recover through the admin multisig using the documented admin functions

Wallets & Accounts

Which wallets are supported?

EVM Chains:

  • MetaMask
  • WalletConnect-compatible wallets
  • Ledger (via MetaMask)

Casper:

  • Casper Wallet (browser extension or mobile app)
  • Ledger (via Casper Wallet or CSPR.click)
  • MetaMask (via CSPR.click)
  • WalletConnect (via CSPR.click)

How do I get testnet tokens?

SepoliaETH:

Testnet CSPR:

Test USDC/WETH:

Why can't I see my bridged tokens?

Bridged tokens may need to be manually added to your wallet:

MetaMask:

  1. Click "Import Token"
  2. Enter the wrapped token contract address
  3. Confirm token details

Casper Wallet:

  • Bridged CEP-18 tokens should appear automatically
  • If not, check the token contract hash in your account on cspr.live

Technical Questions

What is MPT verification?

It is the cryptographic technique the bridge uses to prove a transaction really happened on the source chain. Every block commits to its transactions with a Merkle root; the bridge verifies your deposit against that commitment, so no one has to be "trusted" about whether the deposit occurred.

What is 3-of-5 multi-sig?

The bridge requires 3 out of 5 independent relayers to approve a transfer before tokens can be minted or unlocked. No single relayer - or even two - can move funds.

How are relayers selected?

Relayers are operated by trusted entities in the Casper ecosystem. They must:

  • Run reliable infrastructure
  • Maintain high uptime
  • Follow operational best practices
  • Participate in governance

Can I run my own relayer?

Currently, relayers are permissioned and operated by vetted entities. Future governance may introduce mechanisms for adding new relayers.

Is the bridge audited?

The bridge contracts have undergone security review. See Security Model for details on security measures and audit reports.

Troubleshooting

My transaction is stuck on "Pending"

  1. Check finality - Ensure enough blocks have passed
  2. Check transaction - Verify the source chain transaction succeeded
  3. Check relayers - View relayer status at the API health endpoint
  4. Wait - Most "stuck" transactions complete within the expected timeframe

If still pending after 24 hours, contact support.

"Insufficient funds" error

This means you don't have enough:

  • ETH for gas + bridge fee on EVM chains
  • CSPR for gas + bridge fee on Casper

Solution: Acquire more native currency from faucets (testnet) or exchanges (mainnet).

"Approval failed" error

Before locking tokens, you must approve the bridge contract to spend them:

  1. Click "Approve" in the bridge interface
  2. Confirm the approval transaction in your wallet
  3. Wait for approval to confirm
  4. Then proceed with locking

My wrapped tokens have different decimals

Bridged tokens maintain the same decimal precision as the original token. If you bridge 100 USDC (6 decimals), you'll receive 100 bUSDC (6 decimals) on Casper.

Transaction shows "Failed" but tokens are gone

  1. Check the source chain explorer - was the transaction actually successful?
  2. Check your wallet balance - tokens might have returned
  3. Contact support with transaction hash

Security

Is the bridge safe to use?

AstralBeam implements multiple security measures:

  • Multi-signature attestation (3-of-5)
  • Cryptographic proof verification (MPT)
  • Finality protection (waiting for block confirmations)
  • Replay protection (nonces and event keys)
  • Pausable contracts (emergency shutdown)

However, like all bridges, there is inherent risk. Only bridge amounts you're comfortable with.

What if a relayer is compromised?

With 3-of-5 multi-sig, a single compromised relayer cannot:

  • Mint unauthorized tokens
  • Unlock tokens without valid burns
  • Modify bridge state

Multiple relayers would need to be compromised simultaneously.

What if the bridge contracts are paused?

Contracts can be paused in emergencies. During a pause:

  • New lock/burn operations are rejected
  • Pending operations may still complete
  • Your locked tokens remain safe
  • Operations resume when unpaused

Can my tokens be stolen?

Tokens are protected by:

  • Smart contract security (audited code)
  • Multi-sig requirements (no single point of failure)
  • Cryptographic proofs (mathematical verification)

The main risks are smart contract bugs or coordinated relayer compromise, both of which are mitigated through audits and decentralization.

Support

How do I get help?

  1. Documentation - Check this GitBook first
  2. GitHub Issues - Report bugs or feature requests
  3. Telegram - Community channel: t.me/astralbeam_io
  4. Email - For urgent issues: support@astralbeam.io

How do I report a bug?

  1. Gather information:
    • Transaction hash
    • Wallet addresses
    • Error messages
    • Screenshots
  2. Open a GitHub issue or contact support

How do I suggest a feature?

Open a GitHub issue with the "enhancement" label, or discuss in the community Telegram (t.me/astralbeam_io).

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