A bridged token deposit is a transfer that moves value from Ethereum to Polygon PoS. The key check is whether the Ethereum transaction succeeded and the matching token arrived on Polygon PoS.
Polygon Bridge is the official service for moving supported tokens between those networks. If you are still deciding which route suits your token, read how Polygon Bridge routes tokens; this article explains how to check a deposit after it is sent.
A deposit uses two token records
A deposit usually locks your token in a bridge contract on Ethereum, then creates an equivalent token on Polygon PoS. A smart contract is a program on a blockchain that can hold or move tokens according to set rules.
For an ERC-20 token, such as a stablecoin, the Ethereum and Polygon versions have separate contract addresses. ERC-20 is a common set of rules that lets tokens work with wallets and apps. The Polygon version may have the same name and symbol, but check its contract address too.
For example, sending 10 units of a supported token does not move the original Ethereum token directly into Polygon. The Ethereum tokens stay locked, and the bridge creates 10 matching units on Polygon for the chosen receiving address.
Check the Ethereum transaction first
Start with the transaction hash from your wallet. A transaction hash is a unique code for one blockchain action. Search it on an Ethereum block explorer, a website that displays public Ethereum transactions.
Check that the transaction status says “Success.” If it says “Pending,” the Ethereum network has not finished processing it. If it says “Failed,” the deposit did not complete; check your Ethereum token balance before trying again.
Also check the transaction details. Confirm that the token and amount match what you intended, and that the recipient address is yours. If you used the same wallet on both networks, the address is usually the same, but the networks keep separate balances.
Look for the matching balance on Polygon
After Ethereum confirms the deposit, switch your wallet to Polygon PoS and check the receiving address there. A wallet balance is tied to the selected network, so tokens on Polygon will not appear in its Ethereum balance.
If the token is missing from the wallet display, that does not prove the deposit failed. Wallets may not show every token automatically. Find the Polygon token contract through a reliable source, such as the official bridge record or a trusted block explorer, then check that address on Polygon’s explorer.
On the explorer, search your receiving address and look for a token transfer matching the amount. A token transfer is a recorded movement of tokens between addresses. If the transfer appears there, the tokens reached that address even if your wallet hides the balance.
Only add a token to your wallet using its Polygon contract address. A copied name or symbol alone is not enough: unrelated tokens can use identical labels. Never share your recovery phrase to “unlock” a deposit.
Read the two records together
Imagine you deposited 10 units of a token from Ethereum. The Ethereum explorer shows a successful transaction, but your wallet shows no Polygon balance. First, confirm the wallet is set to Polygon PoS and check the correct receiving address.
Next, search that address on Polygon’s explorer. If it shows a matching 10-token transfer, the deposit arrived and the wallet display is the likely issue. If no transfer appears, compare the transaction details and address, then allow time for the bridge process to finish.
The important edge case is a successful Ethereum transaction with a different recipient address than expected. The deposit can complete while the tokens go to that address. Compare the recipient shown in the transaction with the address you meant to use before taking further action.
Before acting, ask yourself: have I checked the transaction on both networks and matched the receiving address and token contract?