Stablecoins & crypto
USDT networks explained: TRC20, ERC20, BEP20 and more
You open a wallet or an exchange to send USDT, and before you can confirm it asks you to choose a network: TRC20, ERC20, BEP20, Solana, Arbitrum, TON and more. This guide explains what those names mean, why the choice matters and how to pick the one that matches where your money is going.
What is a network for USDT?
A stablecoin such as USDT or USDC is issued on more than one blockchain. Each blockchain is a separate network with its own addresses and its own record of who holds what. USDT on Tron and USDT on Ethereum are the same coin and are designed to track the same US dollar, but they live on different networks.
Think of the network as the rail and the coin as the cargo. A transfer only arrives if it leaves and lands on the same rail. Networks don't connect to each other on their own, so a transfer sent on one network can't land on an address that is only watched on another.
The nine networks at a glance
Network name you will see | Blockchain | What an address usually looks like |
|---|---|---|
TRC20 | Tron | Starts with "T" |
ERC20 | Ethereum | Starts with "0x" |
BEP20 | BNB Smart Chain | Starts with "0x" |
Solana | Solana | A long string of letters and numbers, no "0x" |
Avalanche | Avalanche C-Chain | Starts with "0x" |
Arbitrum | Arbitrum One (built on Ethereum) | Starts with "0x" |
Polygon | Polygon | Starts with "0x" |
Optimism | OP Mainnet (built on Ethereum) | Starts with "0x" |
TON | The Open Network | Letters and numbers, often starting with "UQ" or "EQ" |
The address format is a clue, not a check. Six of the nine networks use the same "0x" style, so an address can look correct on the wrong network.
TRC20, ERC20, BEP20: what the names mean
TRC20 is the token standard on the Tron blockchain. "USDT TRC20" means USDT issued on Tron.
ERC20 is the token standard on Ethereum. "USDT ERC20" means USDT on Ethereum.
BEP20 is the token standard on BNB Smart Chain. Some apps label it "BSC" or "BNB Smart Chain" instead.
Solana, Avalanche, Polygon and TON are usually shown by the network name, without a token-standard code. On Avalanche, USDT and USDC run on the C-Chain, which some apps label "AVAX C-Chain". TON is The Open Network, a separate blockchain with its own address format.
Arbitrum and Optimism are layer-2 networks built on top of Ethereum. Their addresses look exactly like Ethereum addresses, but they are separate networks: USDT sent on Arbitrum stays on Arbitrum. Some apps show Optimism as "OP Mainnet".
Apps don't always use the same label. One may say "Tron (TRC20)", another just "TRX" or "Tron". Match the blockchain, not the exact wording.
Why the wrong network is a real risk
Blockchain transfers can't be reversed. If you send USDT on BEP20 to an address that only receives on ERC20, the transfer can succeed on the BEP20 network and still never reach the service you sent it to. Getting it back, if it is possible at all, depends on the receiving service, can take a long time, and is never certain.
The most common mistakes:
Picking the network with the lowest cost shown in your wallet, without checking that the receiver supports it.
Trusting the "0x" format. An ERC20 address pasted on BEP20, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Polygon or Optimism looks valid.
Sending the wrong coin. USDC sent to a USDT address, or the other way round.
Typing the address by hand instead of copying it or scanning the QR code.
Forgetting a memo on TON. Some services ask for a memo or comment with TON transfers. If the receiver shows one, add it exactly as shown.
Step by step
How to pick the matching network, step by step
Start from the receiver
Open the app or account you want to send to and find its deposit or top-up address.
Read the network next to the address
Note the network name and the coin (USDT or USDC).
Copy the address
Use the copy button or scan the QR code.
Choose the same network in your sending wallet
Pick the same coin and the same network the receiver showed, even if another option looks cheaper.
Check before you confirm
Compare the first and last few characters of the address and read the network name once more.
Keep the transaction ID
Your wallet shows a transaction ID (hash). Keep it until the money arrives.
If you think you used the wrong network
Stop and don't send again. Find the transaction ID in your sending wallet and look it up in that network's block explorer to see where it went. Then contact the support team of the service you sent to with the transaction ID, the coin, the network and the address. Not every mistake can be fixed, which is why checking the network before you send matters so much.
USDT and USDC networks in Odix Pay
In the Odix Pay app you can top up your balance with USDT or USDC on these nine networks: Tron (TRC20), Ethereum (ERC20), BNB Smart Chain (BEP20), Solana, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism and TON. The app shows which networks are available for each coin and puts the network next to your top-up address. Send only on that network, and only the coin you chose. For the full steps, see how to top up with USDT or USDC.
USDT and USDC stay separate: the app doesn't swap one for the other, so send the coin you picked. After a top-up, your card balance is credited in fiat (USD or HKD), and card balances are withdrawn in fiat, not crypto. New to stablecoins? Start with what stablecoins are, or read what a crypto card is. For what to do once your balance is in, see how to use your USDT and USDC for everyday money.
Good to know
Odix Pay is not a crypto wallet, does not provide any crypto custody service, and does not operate as a crypto buy/sell, Bitcoin/BTC or crypto investment platform.
Stablecoins are cryptoassets. Their value is designed to track the US dollar, but this is not guaranteed. Blockchain transfers can't be reversed. USDT and USDC top-ups are not available in every country; the app shows what is available where you live. Not offered in Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China or Taiwan. This guide is general information, not financial or investment advice.
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Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general information only. It is not legal, financial, investment or other professional advice. Features, steps and availability depend on your country and eligibility, and they may change when the app is updated. Where fees or limits apply, the Odix Pay app shows them before you confirm.
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