Blast network reduces bridge process to 7 days, cutting withdrawal time in half

Efficient Withdrawals Made Possible by Blast’s Improved Bridging Process

Ethereum Layer-2 network Blast has successfully reduced withdrawal times in half by shortening the time it takes to bridge assets from Blast to Ethereum Mainnet to seven days from the previously long-standing 14-day period.

Update Announced and Rationale Behind the Change

Blast announced the update in a social media post on July 16, explaining that the reduction in bridge time comes after a thorough analysis of withdrawal activity over the past four months. According to the analysis, a smaller buffer would still accommodate nearly all withdrawal requests, prompting the network to make the necessary changes.

Lido Withdrawals and the Goal of Enhanced Efficiency

Previously, the 14-day bridging period was set to provide a buffer for Lido withdrawals, which Blast currently relies on for Ethereum yield. By reducing this period, Blast aims to enhance the efficiency and user experience on its platform.

Bridging Timeframe

The network added that the process may take more than seven days in “rare cases.” Additionally, the reduction applies solely to bridging from Blast to Ethereum Mainnet, while transfers from Ethereum to Blast continue to take only a few minutes.

Community Reaction

The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the community, with many applauding the improved functionality. The move is expected to boost liquidity and flexibility for users leveraging Blast for their blockchain transactions.

Native Token’s Price and Market Trends

The move did not cause a reaction in the native token’s price, with BLAST trading at $0.0169 as of press time — remaining below its initial launch price. The token was down 2.84% over the past 24 hours in contrast to the general market uptrend this week, according to CryptoSlate data.

Layer-2 Classification and Future Plans

Network Rebranding and Layer-2 Implantation

The network’s X, formerly Twitter, account recently removed mentions of “Layer-2” from its handle and details, prompting some to speculate that the rollup plans to become a standalone network.

Founder’s Clarification

Blast founder Tieshun Roquerre stated in a video that the network’s current implementation is as a Layer-2, but this could change in the future if it benefits the user and adds value. He added that being an Ethereum Layer-2 is “an implementation detail” and that “it does not matter” whether a network is regarded as an L2 or not.

Vision and Future Plans

Blast’s recent vision statement from June supports this notion and claims that the network aims to become a “full stack chain” in the future.

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