Waiting for your bridge transaction to complete and wondering where your tokens are? Learning how to track your ETH to PulseChain bridge status using block explorers is an essential skill for any crypto user. In this comprehensive tutorial, you'll learn how to monitor your bridge transactions in real-time using Etherscan and PulseScan, understand what each status means, and troubleshoot issues based on what you discover.
Why Track Bridge Transactions?
Unlike traditional bank transfers that provide tracking numbers and status updates, blockchain transactions require you to actively check their status using block explorers. This is especially important for bridge transactions because they involve two separate blockchains—Ethereum and PulseChain—each with its own confirmation process.
Benefits of Tracking
- Peace of Mind: See exactly where your tokens are in the process
- Early Problem Detection: Identify issues before they become bigger problems
- Gas Optimization: Learn from transaction data to optimize future transfers
- Support Communication: Provide accurate information if you need help
- Record Keeping: Maintain transaction history for tax purposes
Understanding the Bridge Process Flow
Before diving into tracking, it's important to understand how bridge transactions work:
- Initiation (Ethereum): You send tokens to bridge smart contract on Ethereum
- Lock Confirmation: Ethereum network confirms your tokens are locked (12-15 confirmations)
- Bridge Processing: Bridge validators detect the lock and initiate minting
- Minting (PulseChain): Equivalent tokens are minted on PulseChain
- Transfer Complete: Tokens appear in your PulseChain wallet
Total Time: Typically 5-10 minutes under normal conditions.
Part 1: Tracking on Ethereum (Etherscan)
The first step in any bridge transaction happens on Ethereum. Here's how to track it.
Step 1: Get Your Transaction Hash
The transaction hash (TX hash) is a unique identifier for your transaction. Here's how to find it:
Method A: From MetaMask
- Open MetaMask: Click the MetaMask extension icon
- Go to Activity: Click the "Activity" tab
- Find Transaction: Look for your most recent transaction (should say "Contract Interaction" or "Send")
- Click Transaction: Click on the transaction to open details
- Copy Hash: Click the copy icon next to the transaction hash
Method B: From Bridge Interface
Many bridge interfaces show the transaction hash immediately after you confirm:
- Look for "View Transaction" or "View on Etherscan" button
- Click it to go directly to Etherscan
- The hash will be in the URL and at the top of the page
Step 2: Open Etherscan and Search
- Visit Etherscan: Go to https://etherscan.io
- Paste Hash: Paste your transaction hash in the search bar at the top
- Search: Press Enter or click the search icon
- View Details: Your transaction details page will load
Step 3: Understanding Etherscan Transaction Page
The Etherscan transaction page shows critical information:
Key Fields to Check
- Status:
- ✅ Success: Transaction confirmed on Ethereum
- ⏳ Pending: Waiting for miners to process
- ❌ Failed: Transaction reverted or ran out of gas
- Block Confirmations: Number of blocks confirmed after yours (12+ needed)
- From: Your wallet address
- To: Bridge contract address
- Value: Amount of ETH sent (if bridging ETH)
- Transaction Fee: Gas cost you paid
- Gas Price: What you paid per unit of gas
What Each Status Means
Success with 12+ Confirmations:
- Your tokens are locked on Ethereum
- Bridge validators are processing your transfer
- Tokens should appear on PulseChain within 2-5 minutes
- Action: Proceed to Part 2 to check PulseChain
Success with 0-11 Confirmations:
- Transaction confirmed but waiting for security confirmations
- Each confirmation takes ~12-15 seconds
- Action: Wait for 12+ confirmations, then check PulseChain
Pending:
- Transaction submitted but not yet mined
- Could be due to low gas price or network congestion
- Action: Wait 5-10 minutes; if still pending, consider speeding up in MetaMask
Failed:
- Transaction reverted—tokens NOT bridged
- Gas was consumed but tokens remain in your wallet
- Action: Check error message and retry with fixes
Step 4: Check Token Transfer Details
For ERC-20 tokens (not ETH), scroll down to the "Tokens Transferred" section:
- Look for "From: [Your Address]"
- Verify "To: [Bridge Contract]"
- Confirm the correct amount transferred
- Check token contract address matches what you intended to bridge
Pro Tip: Always verify the token contract address matches the official token. Scam tokens with similar names exist!
Part 2: Tracking on PulseChain (PulseScan)
Once your Ethereum transaction has 12+ confirmations, it's time to check if your tokens arrived on PulseChain.
Step 1: Access PulseChain Block Explorer
- Visit PulseScan: Go to https://scan.pulsechain.com
- Alternative: Or use Otter Explorer
Step 2: Search for Your Wallet Address
Unlike Ethereum where you search by TX hash, on PulseChain you search by your wallet address:
- Copy Address: Copy your wallet address from MetaMask
- Paste in Search: Paste into PulseScan search bar
- View Address: Click search to see your address page
Step 3: Check Token Balance
On your PulseScan address page:
- View Tokens: Click the "Tokens" dropdown or tab
- Find Your Token: Look for the token you bridged (e.g., USDC, DAI, wETH)
- Verify Amount: Confirm the balance matches what you bridged
- Check Timestamp: Verify the receive time aligns with your bridge
Step 4: View Transaction History
To see the actual incoming transaction:
- Click the "Transactions" tab on your address page
- Look for recent "IN" transactions
- Find the transaction from the bridge contract
- Click to view full details
- Verify method is "Mint" or "Transfer"
Reading Transaction Statuses Across Both Chains
Scenario 1: Success on Ethereum, Not Yet on PulseChain
What it means:
- Your tokens are locked on Ethereum
- Bridge is processing the transfer
- PulseChain transaction is being prepared
What to do:
- Wait 5-10 more minutes
- Refresh PulseScan every minute
- Check bridge interface for status updates
- If >30 minutes, contact support with TX hash
Scenario 2: Success on Both Chains
What it means:
- ✅ Bridge completed successfully!
- Tokens are now on PulseChain
- You can use them in DeFi protocols
What to do:
- Open MetaMask and switch to PulseChain network
- Verify tokens show in your wallet
- If not visible, add token contract manually
- Save transaction hash for your records
Scenario 3: Failed on Ethereum
What it means:
- Transaction reverted before tokens were locked
- Common causes: out of gas, smart contract error
- Tokens remain in your Ethereum wallet
What to do:
- Read the error message on Etherscan
- Check your wallet balance to confirm tokens didn't move
- Review our error troubleshooting guide
- Retry with fixes applied
Scenario 4: Pending for Too Long
What it means:
- Gas price too low for current network conditions
- Transaction stuck in mempool
- May eventually process or drop
What to do:
- Wait 30 minutes during normal times
- Wait 2-4 hours during extreme congestion
- Speed up transaction in MetaMask (Activity → Speed Up)
- Or cancel and retry with higher gas
Advanced: Reading Internal Transactions
Bridge transactions often have "internal transactions" which show the behind-the-scenes smart contract interactions.
How to View Internal Transactions
- On your Etherscan transaction page, find the "Internal Transactions" tab
- Click to expand this section
- You'll see transfers between smart contracts
- Look for your tokens moving from your address → bridge contract
What to Look For
- Type: Should show "Call" or "Transfer"
- From/To: Verify addresses are correct
- Value: Confirm amount matches your bridge
Using Bridge Interface Transaction Tracker
Most modern bridges include built-in transaction tracking. Here's how to use it on PulseChain Bridge:
Real-Time Bridge Status
- Don't Close the Tab: Keep bridge interface open after confirming
- Watch Status Bar: Shows current step (Confirming → Processing → Complete)
- See Live Updates: Confirmations count up in real-time
- Get Notifications: Some bridges send browser notifications when complete
Historical Transaction Lookup
If you closed the bridge tab, you can still track:
- Return to bridge interface
- Connect your wallet
- Look for "Transaction History" or "Past Bridges" section
- Find your transaction by date/time
- Click for detailed status
Common Status Scenarios and What They Mean
⏳ "Waiting for Confirmations" (1-5 minutes)
Status on Etherscan: Success with 0-11 confirmations
What's happening: Ethereum miners are confirming your transaction
What to do: Wait patiently. Each confirmation takes ~12-15 seconds
🔄 "Processing Bridge Transfer" (2-5 minutes)
Status on Etherscan: Success with 12+ confirmations
Status on PulseScan: No transaction yet
What's happening: Bridge validators are processing your transfer
What to do: Wait 5 minutes, refresh PulseScan occasionally
✅ "Complete" (Transaction finished)
Status on Etherscan: Success with 20+ confirmations
Status on PulseScan: Token balance updated
What's happening: Tokens successfully bridged!
What to do: Switch MetaMask to PulseChain and verify balance
⚠️ "Stuck" or "Taking Too Long" (>30 minutes)
Status on Etherscan: Success but long delay
Status on PulseScan: Still no tokens
What's happening: Possible bridge congestion or technical issue
What to do:
- Check bridge status page for maintenance
- Verify TX hash on bridge interface shows "processing"
- Wait up to 1 hour before contacting support
- Save TX hash and take screenshots
Troubleshooting Based on Explorer Data
Problem: Transaction Not Found on Etherscan
Cause: Transaction wasn't broadcast to network
Solution:
- Verify you copied the complete hash (66 characters starting with 0x)
- Check MetaMask Activity to confirm transaction exists
- If truly not broadcast, retry the bridge transaction
Problem: Shows as Failed on Etherscan
Cause: Transaction reverted (common causes below)
Common Reasons:
- "Out of gas" - Increase gas limit next time
- "Execution reverted" - Smart contract rejected (insufficient approval, wrong parameters)
- "Insufficient funds" - Not enough ETH for gas
Solution:
- Read the error message carefully
- Your tokens are safe in your wallet
- Fix the issue and retry
- See our error troubleshooting guide
Problem: Success on Ethereum but No Tokens on PulseChain After 1 Hour
Cause: Bridge processing delay or technical issue
Solution:
- Triple-check wallet address on PulseScan (same as Ethereum)
- Verify you're looking at the correct token
- Try adding token contract manually to MetaMask
- Contact support with Ethereum TX hash
How to Add Tokens Manually to MetaMask
Sometimes tokens are bridged successfully but don't show in MetaMask automatically.
Adding Tokens on PulseChain
- Switch Network: Change MetaMask to PulseChain
- Import Tokens: Click "Import tokens" at bottom
- Get Contract Address: From PulseScan, copy the token contract address
- Paste Address: Paste into "Token Contract Address" field
- Auto-Fill: Symbol and decimals should auto-populate
- Add Token: Click "Add Custom Token" then "Import Tokens"
- Check Balance: Token should now appear with correct balance
Keeping Records of Bridge Transactions
Maintain good records for tax purposes and troubleshooting:
What to Save
- Ethereum transaction hash
- PulseChain transaction hash (if visible)
- Date and time of bridge
- Amount and token bridged
- Gas fees paid
- Screenshots of both explorers
Recommended Format
Create a simple spreadsheet:
- Date: 2025-11-28
- Type: Bridge ETH→PLS
- Token: USDC
- Amount: 1,000 USDC
- ETH TX Hash: 0x123...
- PLS TX Hash: 0x456...
- Gas Paid: $15.50
- Status: Complete
FAQ: Tracking Bridge Transactions
How do I find my bridge transaction hash?
After confirming a bridge transaction in MetaMask, you can find the hash in three ways: (1) Click the MetaMask notification that pops up and select "View on Etherscan", (2) Open MetaMask → Activity tab → Click your transaction, or (3) Look for a "View Transaction" link in the bridge interface. The hash is a 66-character string starting with "0x".
What does 'pending' status mean for bridge transactions?
A pending status means your transaction has been broadcast to the Ethereum network but hasn't been confirmed by miners yet. This typically takes 1-5 minutes depending on the gas price you paid and current network congestion. If your transaction is pending for over 15 minutes, the gas price may be too low, and you should consider speeding it up in MetaMask.
How long until my tokens appear on PulseChain?
After your Ethereum transaction receives 12-15 confirmations (about 3-5 minutes), the bridge automatically processes the transfer to PulseChain. The minting on PulseChain usually takes 1-3 additional minutes. Total time from clicking "confirm" in MetaMask to seeing tokens on PulseChain is typically 5-10 minutes under normal conditions.
Can I cancel a bridge transaction after confirming?
If the transaction is still pending on Ethereum, you can cancel or replace it by sending a new transaction with the same nonce but higher gas. However, once a bridge transaction is confirmed on Ethereum (shows "Success"), it cannot be reversed. The bridge will complete automatically, and your tokens will arrive on PulseChain.
What if block explorers are down?
Block explorers occasionally experience downtime but this doesn't affect your actual transactions—they're just viewing tools. If Etherscan is down, try alternative explorers like Ethplorer or BlockScout. For PulseChain, try Otter Explorer if PulseScan is unavailable. Your transactions continue processing regardless of explorer status.
How many confirmations do I need before tokens arrive?
The PulseChain bridge typically requires 12-15 confirmations on Ethereum before initiating the PulseChain transfer. Each confirmation takes approximately 12-15 seconds, so expect 3-5 minutes total. You can watch the confirmation count increase on Etherscan in real-time. Once it hits 12+, check PulseScan within the next 5 minutes for your tokens.
Quick Reference: Block Explorer URLs
Ethereum Block Explorers
- Etherscan: https://etherscan.io (Most popular)
- Ethplorer: https://ethplorer.io (Token-focused)
- BlockScout: Alternative Ethereum explorer
PulseChain Block Explorers
- PulseScan: https://scan.pulsechain.com (Primary)
- Otter Explorer: https://otter.pulsechain.com (Alternative)
Bookmark These for Quick Access
Save these URLs in your browser for instant access when bridging:
- Etherscan homepage (for quick searches)
- PulseScan homepage
- Your wallet address on both explorers
- Bridge contract address on Etherscan
Pro Tips for Efficient Transaction Tracking
Tip 1: Use Multiple Tabs
Open these tabs when bridging:
- Tab 1: Bridge interface
- Tab 2: Etherscan with your TX
- Tab 3: PulseScan with your address
- Tab 4: MetaMask Activity
Refresh Etherscan and PulseScan periodically to watch progress.
Tip 2: Set Up Browser Notifications
Some block explorers offer notification services:
- Sign up for Etherscan account (free)
- Add your wallet address to watch list
- Enable email/SMS notifications
- Get alerts when transactions complete
Tip 3: Use Mobile Apps
Track on the go:
- Etherscan Mobile App (iOS/Android)
- MetaMask Mobile (shows transaction history)
- Trust Wallet (built-in block explorer links)
Conclusion
Tracking your ETH to PulseChain bridge transactions using block explorers is straightforward once you know the process. By monitoring both Etherscan and PulseScan, you can see exactly where your tokens are at every stage of the bridge, identify issues early, and troubleshoot problems effectively.
Remember: Most bridge transactions complete in 5-10 minutes with zero issues. The key is knowing how to check status so you can have peace of mind during the process. Bookmark Etherscan and PulseScan, save your transaction hashes, and you'll never have to wonder where your tokens are!
Now you're ready to confidently track any bridge transaction from start to finish. Happy bridging! 🔍
