You've successfully bridged your tokens to PulseChain—congratulations! But now you're stuck because you can't move or swap your tokens without PLS for gas fees. This is one of the most common challenges new PulseChain users face, but don't worry—it's easy to solve. In this guide, we'll show you 5 simple ways to get PLS for gas on PulseChain, so you can start using your bridged tokens immediately.
Understanding the Problem: Why You Need PLS for Gas
When you bridge tokens from Ethereum to PulseChain, you receive the equivalent tokens on PulseChain (like USDC, DAI, or wrapped ETH). However, to actually do anything with these tokens—swap them, send them, or stake them—you need to pay transaction fees in PLS, which is PulseChain's native cryptocurrency.
Think of it like this: PLS is to PulseChain what ETH is to Ethereum. Just as you need ETH to pay gas fees on Ethereum, you need PLS to pay gas fees on PulseChain. Without it, your bridged tokens are essentially frozen in your wallet until you acquire some PLS.
The Catch-22: You need PLS to swap tokens, but you need tokens to buy PLS. This guide will show you how to break this cycle!
How Much PLS Do You Actually Need?
The good news: PulseChain gas fees are extremely cheap compared to Ethereum. Here's what you can expect:
- Simple Token Transfer: $0.01 - $0.10 worth of PLS
- Token Swap on DEX: $0.10 - $0.50 worth of PLS
- Complex Smart Contract Interaction: $0.50 - $2.00 worth of PLS
Recommended Starting Amount: Get $10-$20 worth of PLS. This will cover dozens of transactions and give you plenty of room to interact with DeFi protocols without worrying about running out.
Method 1: Use a PulseChain Faucet (Free PLS)
The easiest way to get started is using a PulseChain faucet—a service that gives away small amounts of PLS for free to help new users.
How to Use a PulseChain Faucet
- Find a Working Faucet: Search for "PulseChain faucet" or check community resources on Twitter/Telegram
- Connect Your Wallet: Visit the faucet website and connect your MetaMask wallet
- Verify You're Human: Complete any CAPTCHA or verification required
- Request PLS: Click the "Get PLS" or "Claim" button
- Wait for Transfer: Small amounts (usually $1-$5 worth) will be sent to your wallet
Pros and Cons of Faucets
Pros:
- Completely free
- No registration required (usually)
- Instant or very quick delivery
- Perfect for getting started
Cons:
- Limited amounts available
- Faucets may run dry or have waiting periods
- Not always reliable
- May have daily limits per address
Tip: Faucets are great for getting your first $1-$2 worth of PLS to make your first transaction. For larger amounts, use the methods below.
Method 2: Buy PLS on a Decentralized Exchange (Recommended)
The most reliable method is to swap some of your bridged tokens for PLS using a decentralized exchange (DEX) on PulseChain.
Step-by-Step: Swap USDC/DAI for PLS
Wait—didn't we just say you need PLS to swap? Here's the trick: Some wallets and DEXs offer a "gasless swap" feature or allow you to use bridged tokens to pay for the first transaction.
Option A: Using PulseX (PulseChain's Main DEX)
- Visit PulseX: Go to app.pulsex.com
- Connect Wallet: Connect your MetaMask with PulseChain network
- Check for Gas-Free Option: Some DEXs partner with wallets to allow first transaction without PLS
- Swap Tokens: Select your bridged token (USDC, DAI, etc.) → Swap to PLS
- Set Amount: Swap $10-$20 worth to start
- Confirm Transaction: If gasless swap available, proceed; otherwise see Method 3
Option B: Ask a Friend to Send You PLS
If you know someone already using PulseChain:
- Ask them to send you $5-$10 worth of PLS
- Provide your PulseChain wallet address (same as your Ethereum address)
- Once received, immediately swap some of your tokens for more PLS to repay them
Method 3: Bridge a Small Amount of ETH Specifically for Gas
If you still have some ETH on the Ethereum network, you can bridge a small amount specifically to cover gas on PulseChain.
How to Bridge ETH for PLS Gas
- Return to the Bridge: Go back to PulseChain Bridge
- Bridge Small Amount of ETH: Bridge $20-$30 worth of ETH to PulseChain
- Receive Wrapped ETH: You'll receive wETH on PulseChain
- Swap wETH for PLS: Use PulseX to swap your wETH for PLS
- Now You Have Gas: Use PLS for all future transactions
Cost Analysis
Bridging ETH costs gas on Ethereum ($10-$30 depending on congestion), but you'll have plenty of PLS for months of PulseChain usage.
Method 4: Use a Centralized Exchange (CEX)
If PLS is listed on centralized exchanges, you can buy it directly and withdraw to PulseChain.
Steps to Buy PLS on a CEX
- Check Listings: See if PLS is available on exchanges like MEXC, Gate.io, or others
- Create Account: Sign up and complete KYC if required
- Deposit Funds: Deposit USDT, USDC, or fiat currency
- Buy PLS: Purchase PLS tokens
- Withdraw to PulseChain: Send PLS to your wallet address on PulseChain network
Important Notes
- Verify the exchange supports PulseChain network withdrawals (not Ethereum ERC-20)
- Check withdrawal fees before purchasing
- Never leave large amounts on exchanges—withdraw to your wallet
Method 5: Community Help & Support Channels
The PulseChain community is known for being helpful. If you're stuck, don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
Where to Ask for Help
- Telegram Groups: Join official PulseChain community groups
- Discord Servers: Many have dedicated help channels
- Twitter/X: Post your issue with #PulseChain—community often helps
- Reddit: r/PulseChain has helpful community members
What to Ask For
Be specific and polite:
"I just bridged to PulseChain and need a small amount of PLS for gas to get started. My address is 0x... I'll immediately swap some of my tokens to PLS and can repay. Thank you!"
Safety Warnings
- Never share your private keys or seed phrase
- Ignore DMs claiming to help—scammers are common
- Only post in official community channels
- Verify any wallet addresses shared with you
Prevention: How to Avoid This Issue in the Future
Now that you've solved the problem, here's how to prevent it next time:
Always Keep PLS in Your Wallet
- Maintain a Buffer: Keep at least $10-$20 worth of PLS at all times
- Never Swap All: When swapping tokens, always leave some PLS for future gas
- Set Alerts: Some wallets can notify you when balance drops below a threshold
Bridge Strategy for New Users
When bridging to PulseChain for the first time:
- First Bridge: Bridge $50-$100 worth of stablecoins (USDC/DAI)
- Get Gas First: Use a faucet or ask community for initial PLS
- Immediately Swap: Swap $20 worth of stablecoins to PLS
- Then Proceed: Now you can freely use your remaining tokens
For Regular Users
- Buy PLS in bulk when prices are favorable
- Set up recurring small purchases on DEX
- Keep PLS on multiple networks/wallets as backup
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Faucet Won't Send PLS
Solutions:
- Try a different faucet—multiple exist in the community
- Wait 24 hours and try again (daily limits)
- Check if your address was already used recently
- Verify you're connected to PulseChain network, not Ethereum
Can't Find PLS on Exchanges
Solutions:
- Check CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko for current exchange listings
- Look for smaller/newer exchanges that may have listed PLS
- Join community to ask where others are buying
- Consider using Method 3 (bridge ETH) as alternative
Swap Interface Shows "Insufficient Gas"
Solutions:
- You're back to square one—need PLS first before swapping
- Try faucet method or community help
- Some wallets offer "pay with token" feature—check settings
Quick Start Checklist
Follow this checklist to get PLS and start using PulseChain immediately:
- ☐ Verify you're on PulseChain network in MetaMask
- ☐ Confirm your bridged tokens arrived successfully
- ☐ Try a PulseChain faucet for free PLS
- ☐ If faucet doesn't work, ask in community Telegram/Discord
- ☐ Once you have initial PLS, swap $10-$20 of tokens for more PLS
- ☐ Keep at least $10 worth of PLS as buffer for future transactions
- ☐ Bookmark your preferred faucet for emergencies
- ☐ Join official community channels for ongoing support
FAQ: Getting PLS for Gas on PulseChain
Why do I need PLS for gas on PulseChain?
PLS is the native token of PulseChain, similar to how ETH is used on Ethereum. You need PLS to pay for all transaction fees (gas) on PulseChain, including swapping tokens, transferring assets, or interacting with smart contracts. This is a fundamental requirement of how blockchains work—the native token powers the network.
How much PLS do I need for gas?
For most transactions, $1-$5 worth of PLS is sufficient. However, we recommend starting with $10-$20 worth of PLS, which will cover dozens of transactions. PulseChain gas fees are extremely cheap (typically $0.01-$0.50 per transaction), so a small amount goes a long way.
Can I get free PLS from a faucet?
Yes, several community-run faucets provide small amounts of PLS for free to help new users. However, faucet availability varies, amounts are limited, and they may have daily limits. While useful for getting started, faucets shouldn't be your only plan—have a backup method ready.
What if I bridged all my tokens and have no ETH left?
If you have no ETH left on Ethereum and no PLS on PulseChain, your best options are: (1) Use a free faucet, (2) Ask the community for help on Telegram/Discord, (3) Have a friend send you a small amount of PLS, or (4) Buy PLS directly on a centralized exchange if listed.
Is it safe to ask the community for PLS?
Yes, but follow safety rules: Only post in official channels, never share private keys or seed phrases, ignore all DMs offering help (scammers), and be specific about needing a small amount for gas. The PulseChain community is generally helpful, but always be cautious of scammers posing as helpers in direct messages.
Can I use my bridged ETH to pay for gas?
No, bridged ETH becomes wrapped ETH (wETH) on PulseChain, which is an ERC-20 token, not the native currency. Only native PLS can be used for gas fees. You'll need to swap your wETH for PLS first, but this requires PLS for the swap transaction—hence the catch-22 that this guide helps you solve.
Conclusion
Running out of PLS for gas after bridging is a common challenge, but it's easy to solve once you know the methods. Start with a free faucet, ask the community for help if needed, or bridge a small amount of ETH specifically for gas. Once you have that initial PLS, you're set—swap some of your tokens for more PLS and always maintain a buffer.
Remember: The PulseChain community is here to help new users succeed. Don't be shy about asking for assistance, and pay it forward by helping others once you're established on the network.
Now that you have PLS for gas, you're ready to explore the exciting world of PulseChain DeFi! 🚀
