> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rivrdex.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get tokens

> Buy VARA on an exchange or bridge assets from Ethereum to start trading on RivrDEX.

To trade or provide liquidity on RivrDEX, you need tokens in your Vara wallet. There are two
ways to get them: buy VARA on a centralized exchange and withdraw it, or bridge assets from
Ethereum with the [Vara Network Bridge](https://bridge.vara.network).

## Buy VARA on an exchange

VARA is currently traded on:

* [Coinbase](https://www.coinbase.com/price/vara-network) — VARA/USD
* [Gate.io](https://www.gate.io/trade/VARA_USDT) — VARA/USDT
* [Crypto.com](https://crypto.com/price/vara-network) — VARA/USD

Buy VARA, then withdraw it to your Vara wallet address (the one from SubWallet). Before
withdrawing, make sure the exchange supports withdrawals on the **native Vara Network** —
the always-current list of supported platforms lives on the official
[vara.network/get-vara](https://vara.network/get-vara) page.

## Bridge assets to Vara

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the bridge">
    Go to [bridge.vara.network](https://bridge.vara.network) and make sure the network selector in the top-left shows **Mainnet (Vara Mainnet · Ethereum Mainnet)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect your wallets">
    Connect **MetaMask** for the Ethereum side and your **Vara-compatible wallet** (SubWallet or Polkadot.js extension) for the Vara side. Both addresses appear in the top navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select asset and amount">
    On the **Bridge** tab, choose the token to send and enter the amount.

    <Warning>
      **Bridge USDT only.** The DEX currently trades against wUSDT — there is no
      wETH/VARA or wUSDC/VARA pair yet. If you bridge ETH or USDC, you'll receive
      wrapped tokens you can't swap. Bridge **USDT → wUSDT** and you're set.
    </Warning>

    Paste your Vara address in the **Bridge to** field — or click
    **Use Wallet Address** to fill it automatically.

    In **Transfer Settings**:

    * **Transfer Speed:** pick **Fast** — your bridge completes in \~20 minutes.
      Common is slower.
    * **Claim Type:** keep **Automatic** (the default). With Manual you'd have to
      claim the tokens yourself, which requires VARA for gas — exactly what a new
      user doesn't have yet. Automatic delivers the tokens on its own.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm and wait">
    Review the expected fee and bridge time, then click **Submit** and approve the transaction in your wallet. Bridging takes approximately **20 minutes** — track progress in the **Transactions** tab. Once complete, your wrapped tokens (e.g. wUSDT) appear in your Vara wallet.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If your transaction appears stuck after the first signature, don't worry — your tokens are locked but safe. The bridge UI will notify you to sign a second pending transaction to complete the transfer.
</Tip>

## Supported tokens

| Token    | Ethereum side | Vara side |
| -------- | ------------- | --------- |
| VARA     | wVARA         | VARA      |
| Ethereum | ETH           | wETH      |
| Bitcoin  | BTC           | wBTC      |
| Tether   | USDT          | wUSDT     |
| USD Coin | USDC          | wUSDC     |

<Note>
  The bridge supports all of the above, but the DEX currently has live trading pairs only
  against **wUSDT** — bridge USDT unless you specifically need another asset on Vara.
</Note>

## No VARA? Your first swap is covered

You don't need any VARA to make your first transaction on RivrDEX — the network fee for
your first swap is covered automatically with a voucher.

<Note>
  Prefer a screen-by-screen walkthrough with pictures? See
  [First swap with the voucher](/docs/getting-started/voucher-guide).
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Bridge a stablecoin">
    Bridge **USDT (Ethereum) → wUSDT (Vara)** with the [Vara Network Bridge](https://bridge.vara.network).
    Leave **Claim Type** on **Automatic** (the default) so your tokens arrive without a manual claim.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make your first swap — with zero VARA">
    Go to [app.rivrdex.io](https://app.rivrdex.io) and swap. RivrDEX covers the gas for this
    first swap, even with an empty VARA balance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Swap into VARA and you're set">
    Make that first swap **wUSDT → VARA**: you come out holding VARA, which covers gas for
    everything you do afterwards.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Where is my VARA? (wVARA)

Some swaps deliver **wVARA** (wrapped VARA) instead of native VARA. It's the
same value — it just needs one click to unwrap:

1. After the swap, a **"Receive VARA"** dialog may appear — click it and
   you're done.
2. Missed the dialog? Whenever your wallet holds wVARA, the
   [Swap page](https://app.rivrdex.io/trade) shows a **"You have … wVARA"**
   banner — click **Receive VARA** to convert directly on the DEX, any time.
3. You can also convert on the bridge: open the
   [**My Tokens** tab](https://bridge.vara.network/my-tokens?network=mainnet)
   and click **Convert To VARA**.

Your funds are never lost — if a balance looks missing, check the Swap page
banner or the My Tokens tab first, then refresh the page or reconnect your wallet.

## What's next

Once you have tokens in your Vara wallet, head to the [Swap page](/docs/features/swapping) to make your first trade, or visit [Pools](/docs/features/providing-liquidity) to start earning fees by providing liquidity.

<Note>
  Trading on RivrDEX also earns [Rewards points](/docs/rewards/overview) — verify your wallet at [rivrdex.io/rewards](https://rivrdex.io/rewards) before you start so every swap counts.
</Note>