Why you need ETH on Base even when you already have LJT
Have LJT but cannot place a prediction? Learn why Lemon Jet needs ETH on Base, how gas and VRF costs differ, and what to check.
Your LJT balance is visible, the amount fits within it, and the wallet still says there are insufficient funds. The missing balance may be ETH on Base.
Lemon Jet uses LJT for predictions and payouts. In the standard wallet flow, ETH pays the costs of submitting transactions and requesting the verifiable randomness that settles a round. Buying more LJT will not fill that ETH balance.
Once you separate those jobs, the error becomes easier to diagnose. There are three amounts to understand before signing a prediction.
The stake, network gas and randomness request
| Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|
| LJT stake | The tokens committed to the prediction, which can be lost. |
| ETH network fee | Processing the transaction on Base. |
| ETH sent with the prediction | Funding the Chainlink VRF request used to resolve the round. |
The network fee and the ETH attached to the game transaction are separate. Depending on your wallet, they may appear as an estimated fee and an amount being sent. Review both when checking whether you have enough ETH.
Base transaction fees include execution on Base and the cost of publishing transaction data to Ethereum. They vary with network conditions and the work the transaction performs. Base explains these components in its network fee documentation.
Lemon Jet's current game contract also pays for each randomness request in native ETH. The contract checks the request price and requires sufficient ETH with the prediction. This follows Chainlink VRF's support for direct funding with native tokens. The implementation can be inspected in the verified game contract.
An LJT approval, if needed, is another transaction with its own network fee. Approving the token does not place the prediction. The LJT approval guide explains that extra step.
ETH must be available on Base
A wallet can display assets from several networks in one place. Its combined portfolio value does not tell you how much ETH a Base transaction can use.
ETH on Ethereum mainnet and ETH on Base belong to separate network balances. Changing the network selector changes which balance you view; it does not move funds between networks. The Base wallet balances guide explains how to read those entries.
Check that you are looking at native ETH. Wrapped ETH, usually shown as WETH, is a token with a separate balance. In the standard wallet flow, holding WETH does not automatically supply native ETH for gas.
The connected wallet matters too. If you funded one wallet and connected another, the app cannot use the first wallet's funds. Compare the receiving wallet with the wallet currently selected before making another transfer.
Check these five things when the transaction is blocked
- Confirm Base is selected. Check the network in your wallet and the transaction request, not only the portfolio screen.
- Open the native ETH balance. A positive LJT, USDC or WETH balance does not establish that ETH is available.
- Read the full transaction preview. Allow for the ETH being sent with the prediction as well as the estimated network fee.
- Allow for an approval if requested. Its gas cost comes before the prediction's costs. Do not spend your remaining ETH on the first step.
- Check previous activity. If you already submitted a transaction, find its status before retrying. A delayed display does not prove it failed.
The transaction status guide covers that last check. If balances are sufficient and simulation still fails, the cause may be an allowance, a game limit or another contract condition. Repeatedly adding ETH does not fix every error.
Getting ETH onto Base
If you already have ETH elsewhere, choose a supported bridge route with Base as the destination. Check which asset will arrive and any costs on the source network. A route that delivers a different token may leave the ETH problem unresolved.
If you use an exchange withdrawal, verify that it supports ETH withdrawals directly on Base and select that network before sending. An exchange's withdrawal fee is separate from the costs of playing afterwards.
For the distinction between changing assets and changing networks, read swap versus bridge on Base.
There is no permanent ETH amount that guarantees a fixed number of rounds. Use the current preview and leave room for the next action you intend to take. A top-up gives the wallet spending capacity; it does not change a prediction's odds or protect its stake.
FAQ
Can I pay Lemon Jet gas with LJT?
In the standard wallet flow, native ETH on Base pays the network fee and funds the game's VRF request. LJT covers the stake. See what LJT is used for for its other role in the vault.
How much ETH do I need for one prediction?
Check the transaction's ETH amount and network fee estimate, plus any approval required beforehand. Costs can change, so a fixed amount in a guide would not be a reliable quote.
Does switching my wallet to Base move my ETH?
No. Switching networks selects the balance and chain you interact with. Funds must already be on Base or arrive through an appropriate transfer route.
Do I need to buy LINK to play?
The current Lemon Jet contract funds its Chainlink VRF requests in native ETH. Its standard prediction flow does not require a player LINK balance.
With the right network and both balances checked, continue with the first prediction guide and review the request in your wallet before signing.