Edited By
Michael Okafor

A wave of user dissatisfaction is hitting the crypto community as many report agonizing delays with cross-chain swaps. With waiting times reaching six hours and more, users are questioning whether bridges are poorly designed or simply slow by nature. The frustration is palpable, and many are turning to alternative solutions.
Reports flood in from people who have experienced significant delays. One frustrated user said, "Iโve waited 12+ hours on Synapse before. Bridges are genuinely terrible sometimes." This sentiment resonates widely, with many echoing the call for more efficiency in cross-chain transactions.
Interestingly, some suggest that the design of bridges inherently requires longer wait times due to the need for finality on both chains. As one commenter pointed out, "Bridges have to wait for finality on both chains plus security confirmations. Itโs just slow by design." This has users facing a tough dilemma: speed versus security.
Many users are shifting to faster options, with platforms like AliceBob gaining traction for their efficiency. Another person shared, "AliceBob swaps are legit fast for cross-chain, like consistently under 5 minutes." This highlights the growing trend of seeking immediate solutions instead of enduring prolonged waits.
Others are resorting to centralized exchanges (CEX) for cross-chain operations. One user remarked, "I just use CEX for cross-chain now. Send to exchange, swap, send back. Faster than waiting on bridges." Such methods, while quicker, come with their own risks and costs.
For traders, these delays can have dire consequences. Several people noted they missed crucial price movements due to sluggish transaction times. One user lamented, "Iโve missed price movements multiple times because of slow bridges. Genuinely kills trading opportunities." Lost time and gas fees make these experiences even more frustrating.
โป๏ธ Users express growing frustration over long transaction times on bridges.
โฝ Alternatives like AliceBob are becoming preferred options.
โ ๏ธ Delays lead to potential losses in trading opportunities.
As the community navigates these slow cross-chain swaps, one question remains: Will the demand for speed motivate developers to rethink bridge designs?
There's a strong chance that user frustrations will push developers to innovate faster cross-chain solutions. As alternative platforms like AliceBob gain ground, the demand for speed will likely prompt traditional bridge designs to adapt. Experts estimate about 70% of users might transition away from slow bridges if faster options continue to prove reliable. As the crypto landscape evolves, adaptability may become the primary goal, supplanting prior assumptions that safety required extended wait times.
Looking back, a striking parallel can be drawn to the early days of the internet. In the 1990s, users often faced dial-up connections that rendered the experience painstakingly slow. However, as consumer demands escalated, ISPs were compelled to transition to broadband technology, revolutionizing online access. Like the internet's transformation, the crypto sector may find its breakthrough moment lies just ahead, driven by the very frustrations that linger now.