USDT on TRC20, BEP20 and ERC20: which network should you use?
The same USDT exists on several blockchains, called networks. Every time you send USDT you have to pick one, and picking the wrong one is one of the most common ways people lose money in crypto. Here is what the names mean.
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What the names mean
USDT is a token that runs on several blockchains. The name tells you which one:
- TRC20: USDT on the Tron network. Addresses start with T, and fees are paid in TRX.
- BEP20: USDT on BNB Smart Chain. Addresses start with 0x, and fees are paid in BNB.
- ERC20: USDT on Ethereum. Addresses start with 0x, and fees are paid in ETH.
Each network keeps its own separate record. USDT sent on Tron exists only on Tron; to move it to another network you have to convert it through an exchange or a bridge.
How they compare
- Fees: they change with how busy each network is. Ethereum (ERC20) has usually been the most expensive of the three when busy, so check the fee your wallet or exchange shows before you send.
- Speed: all three usually confirm within a few minutes.
- Support: TRC20 is one of the most widely used networks for USDT transfers. Check which networks your wallet or exchange supports before you choose.
The costly mistake: sending on the wrong network
BEP20 and ERC20 addresses look exactly alike, since both start with 0x, so a wallet may let you send on the wrong one without any warning. If the receiver doesn't use that network, the USDT may never show up for them, and getting it back is slow, costly or impossible, depending on who controls the address.
Before you send, check three things:
- The network the receiver asked for.
- The network selected in your wallet or exchange.
- The address: copied and pasted, with the first and last few characters checked.
Keep some coin for fees
To send USDT from your own wallet, you need a little of the network's own coin: TRX on Tron, BNB on BNB Smart Chain, ETH on Ethereum. Without it the transfer won't go through, which is a common reason people find their USDT "stuck". Exchanges usually charge a withdrawal fee in USDT instead.
Watch out for fake USDT
Anyone can create a token and call it USDT. Scammers send these worthless tokens, or a screenshot of them, as "payment". Use a well-known wallet, don't add tokens from links someone sends you, and if in doubt, look up the transaction on the network's block explorer (Tronscan, BscScan or Etherscan) to see which token was really sent. More in common P2P scams.
Which network do we use?
Our team confirms the network with you in your ticket before anyone sends anything. Make sure your wallet address is for that network, and if you're unsure, ask in the ticket first. It takes a minute and can save the whole amount.