Escape hatch

The escape hatch sends a transfer that starts on an OP Stack rollup through its settlement chain instead. The rollup has to include it, so nobody can censor or block it. Most people never need it.

What it does

Normally, your transaction goes to the rollup's sequencer, the operator that orders its transactions. If the sequencer is down or refuses your transaction, you're stuck.

With the escape hatch on, you send your transaction to the rollup's bridge contract on the settlement chain instead. The rollup is required to include it, usually within a few minutes. From there your transfer continues as normal.

The review screen and Activity mark these transfers Via Escape Hatch.

When to use it

• The rollup's sequencer is down, or isn't accepting your transactions.
• You want a guarantee that your transfer can't be censored.

If the rollup is working normally, you don't need it. It costs more, because you pay settlement chain gas to start.

Turn it on

1. Open Settings.
2. Turn on Escape hatch. It only appears when one of your chains supports it.
3. Choose your route and select Start. The first transaction is on the settlement chain, so you need gas there.

A withdrawal then continues with the usual waits, Prove and Finalize steps. Withdraw with a native bridge

Turn the setting off again when you're done. While it's on, routes that can't use it aren't available.

Limitations

• OP Stack only. Only for OP Stack rollups that have a settlement chain.
• Bridges only. Swaps and cross-chain swaps aren't supported, because prices can change during the extra wait.
• Regular wallets only. Smart contract wallets and smart wallets aren't supported on most chains.

If a route can't use the escape hatch, the route list shows Escape hatch not supported with the reason:

• the chain doesn't support it
• the chain's escape hatch doesn't support your wallet type (smart contract wallets or smart wallets)
• the route doesn't support it

Select the message to open Settings and turn it off.