# How to Deposit on Base Network

Base is Coinbase's Layer 2 network and the recommended way to use Fanbase. It offers fast transactions with fees under $0.01.

## Why Use Base?

- **Ultra-low fees** - Transactions cost less than a penny
- **Instant settlement** - Transactions confirm in seconds
- **Ethereum security** - Built on Ethereum with full security guarantees
- **Native Coinbase support** - Easy transfers from Coinbase
- **DeFi access** - Uniswap, Aerodrome, and other apps run on Base

## Supported Tokens on Base

Fanbase supports the following tokens on Base:

- **USDC** - Native Base USDC (recommended)
- **USDT** - Tether USD

## Depositing from Coinbase

The easiest path to Base - Coinbase supports native Base transfers.

### Steps

1. **Log into Coinbase**  
2. **Select your token** (USDC recommended)  
3. **Click "Send"**  
4. **Copy your Fanbase Base wallet address:**  
   - Open the wallet dialog on Fanbase  
   - Click the copy icon next to your wallet name in the wallet selector  
   - Your Base address is the same as your Ethereum address  
5. **Paste the address**  
6. **Select "Base" as the network**  
7. **Enter amount** and confirm  
8. **Funds arrive in seconds**

### Cost

- **Coinbase fee**: None for USDC  
- **Network fee**: Under $0.01

## Depositing from MetaMask

### Adding Base to MetaMask

First, add the Base network:

1. **Visit chainlist.org**  
2. **Search "Base"**  
3. **Click "Add to MetaMask"**  
4. **Approve** the network addition

Or manually add:

- Network Name: Base  
- RPC URL: https://mainnet.base.org  
- Chain ID: 8453  
- Symbol: ETH  
- Explorer: https://basescan.org

### Sending to Fanbase

1. **Switch to Base network** in MetaMask  
2. **Click "Send"**  
3. **Paste your Fanbase wallet address**  
4. **Select token** (USDC or USDT)  
5. **Enter amount**  
6. **Confirm transaction**  
7. **Done** - arrives in seconds

## Bridging to Base

If your funds are on Ethereum mainnet, bridge them to Base.

### Using the Official Base Bridge

1. **Go to bridge.base.org**  
2. **Connect your wallet**  
3. **Select token** to bridge  
4. **Enter amount**  
5. **Initiate bridge** (Ethereum transaction)  
6. **Wait for completion** (10-20 minutes)  
7. **Funds arrive on Base**

### Using Coinbase Wallet

Coinbase Wallet has built-in bridging:

1. **Open Coinbase Wallet**  
2. **Select token on Ethereum**  
3. **Choose "Bridge to Base"**  
4. **Confirm transaction**  
5. **Wait for bridge completion**

### Using Third-Party Bridges

Other options:

- **Stargate** - stargate.finance  
- **Across** - across.to  
- **Hop Protocol** - hop.exchange

Compare fees and times before choosing.

## Getting ETH for Gas on Base

Base uses ETH for gas fees (though fees are minimal).

### Option 1: Bridge ETH

Bridge a small amount of ETH from Ethereum using the Base Bridge.

### Option 2: Buy on Coinbase

1. Buy ETH on Coinbase  
2. Send to your wallet selecting Base network

### Option 3: Swap on Base

If you have tokens on Base:

1. Use a DEX like Aerodrome or Uniswap  
2. Swap a small amount of your token for ETH

### How Much ETH?

- **$1-5 in ETH** is enough for hundreds of transactions on Base  
- Gas fees are typically $0.001-0.01 per transaction

## Popular DEXs on Base

If you need to swap tokens on Base:

### Aerodrome

- Base's leading DEX  
- aerodrome.finance  
- Best liquidity for most pairs

### Uniswap

- Available on Base  
- app.uniswap.org  
- Select Base network

### SushiSwap

- sushi.com  
- Multi-chain including Base

## Finding Your Base Wallet Address

Your Fanbase wallet address works on both Ethereum and Base:

1. **Log into Fanbase**  
2. **Open the wallet dialog** (click your balance in the header)  
3. **Click the copy icon** next to your wallet name in the wallet selector at the top

This address works for both Base and Ethereum deposits.

### Verify on Block Explorer

Check your Base transactions at basescan.org:

1. Enter your wallet address  
2. View all tokens and transactions  
3. Confirm deposits arrived

## Troubleshooting

### Transaction pending

- Base transactions usually confirm in 2-5 seconds  
- If stuck, check basescan.org with your transaction hash  
- May indicate network congestion (rare)

### Funds sent on wrong network

- Sent on Ethereum instead of Base: Funds are safe, just on Ethereum  
- Your address is the same - check your Ethereum balance

### MetaMask showing wrong balance

- Ensure you're connected to Base network  
- Try adding the token manually using its Base contract address  
- Clear MetaMask cache and reconnect

### Bridge transaction stuck

- Bridges can take 10-30 minutes  
- Check the bridge's UI for status updates  
- Most bridges have support if issues persist

## Cost Comparison

| Network  | Typical Fee    | Speed           |
|----------|----------------|------------------|
| Base     | $0.001-0.01    | 2-5 seconds      |
| Ethereum  | $1-20+        | 1-5 minutes       |
| Solana   | $0.0001-0.001 | <1 second         |

Base offers the best balance of cost, speed, and Ethereum compatibility.

## Next Steps

Once you have funds on Base:

- **Unlock content** from your favorite creators  
- **Send tips** to support creators directly  
- **Pay for messages** in creator DMs