Cross-chain · Ethereum → Base

Swap USDC from Ethereum to WETH on Base

Swap USDC from Ethereum to WETH on Base. A chain 8453 wallet that wants wrapped ETH spends Circle USDC on Ethereum and receives Base WETH.

The WETH that arrives is the predeploy at 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000006 on Basescan. It is the canonical wrapped ETH on Base, not Ethereum WETH at 0xC02aaA39b223FE8D0A0e5C4F27eAD9083C756Cc2, and it is not the native ETH that pays gas. You spend Circle USDC at 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48 on Etherscan. Chain id 1 gas is ETH, with blocks about every 12 seconds. Base gas is also ETH, a separate balance on chain id 8453. This route does not deliver that gas coin. Switch to Base and import the predeploy before you decide the funds are missing.

Diagram for Swap USDC from Ethereum to WETH on Base — USDC leaves Ethereum. WETH is what can arrive on Base.

The 0x4200 predeploy is Base WETH

Approve only 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48 on Etherscan. Watch 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000006 on Basescan. If the wallet is still on chain id 1, this WETH will not appear in the mainnet WETH line. The predeploy address is shared in shape with other OP-stack chains, and on Base it is this chain's WETH.

Wrapped ETH does not pay the L2 fee

A fresh Base wallet can receive this WETH and then be unable to swap it. Hold native ETH on chain id 8453 first, or pick the route whose output is native ETH. This pair is the wrong tool when the gap is gas rather than a WETH position.

Buying WETH on Ethereum stays home

This route is the wrong tool when you want 0xC02aaA39b223FE8D0A0e5C4F27eAD9083C756Cc2. That wrap stays on chain id 1. Use this page when a Base pool lists WETH and means the Basescan predeploy. Base is the network that contract belongs to.

What this WETH is for

Books on chain 8453 that say WETH mean 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000006, 18 decimals. Landing it from Circle USDC lets you enter those books. You still pay ETH to leave Ethereum. The quote you sign is the amount you accept.

Legal

Risk disclosure

XAUConnect is a non-custodial swap aggregator. Digital assets are volatile and may lose value rapidly. Content on this page is educational and not investment advice. Verify every contract address on the official block explorer before approving a transaction.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to swap USDC from Ethereum to WETH on Base?

Is Base WETH the same contract as mainnet WETH?

No. Mainnet WETH is 0xC02aaA39b223FE8D0A0e5C4F27eAD9083C756Cc2 on Etherscan. This route pays 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000006 on Basescan. Both track ETH as ERC-20s. A pool on one chain will not take the other contract. Check that the wallet is on Base, chain id 8453. Confirm the full address on the explorer before you send it onward.

Which token do I approve?

Circle USDC at 0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48 on Etherscan. You do not approve Base WETH before it arrives. You do need ETH on chain id 1 for gas. Blocks there are about 12 seconds. USDC cannot pay that fee. The approval and the send can be two transactions.

What if I needed ETH for gas instead of WETH?

Choose the route that outputs native ETH, the 0xEeee placeholder, on Base. This pair delivers the predeploy ERC-20. WETH cannot pay chain id 8453 fees. If the pool asks for 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000006, then this is the contract to receive. Confirm the full address on the explorer before you send it onward.

Live execution

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Open the swap page with this cross-chain route pre-selected, then connect your wallet on the source chain to quote and execute. You keep the keys.

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