When depositing or withdrawing USDT, you'll be asked to select a network: TRC20, ERC20, BEP20, and more. Many beginners don't understand what these are or which to choose. Selecting the wrong one could mean paying higher fees at best, or losing funds at worst. This article explains what TRC20 and ERC20 are and how to choose between them. Sign up on Binance — you'll need to select a network whenever you deposit or withdraw.
What Is USDT?
First, a quick overview. USDT, formally known as Tether, is a stablecoin with its price pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. Simply put, 1 USDT is approximately equal to 1 US dollar. In cryptocurrency trading, USDT is the most commonly used pricing and settlement currency.
But USDT differs from typical cryptocurrencies in one key way: it doesn't exist on just one blockchain — it's issued simultaneously on multiple different blockchains. USDT on Ethereum is the ERC20 version; USDT on Tron is the TRC20 version. They have the same value (both equal $1) but operate on different networks.
What Is ERC20?
ERC20 is the token standard on the Ethereum blockchain. ERC20 USDT is USDT that runs on the Ethereum network.
ERC20 Characteristics
- Longest history: USDT was originally issued on Ethereum
- Richest ecosystem: Ethereum hosts the most DeFi applications and smart contracts
- High fees: Ethereum's gas fees are relatively expensive — a single transfer can cost several to tens of dollars
- Slower speed: Transfers can take a while during network congestion
- High security: Ethereum is the most mature smart contract platform
Best For
- Interacting with DeFi protocols on Ethereum
- When the recipient only supports the ERC20 network
- Large transfers (where fees are proportionally smaller)
What Is TRC20?
TRC20 is the token standard on the Tron blockchain. TRC20 USDT is USDT that runs on the Tron network.
TRC20 Characteristics
- Very low fees: Transfer fees typically around 1 USDT
- Fast speed: Usually arrives within minutes or even seconds
- High usage: TRC20 USDT volume has surpassed ERC20
- Widely supported: Almost all major exchanges support TRC20
Best For
- Everyday deposits and withdrawals (low fees, fast speed)
- Transfers between exchanges
- Small-value transfers (low proportional fee)
- Time-sensitive operations
Download the Binance app to conveniently select networks on the deposit and withdrawal pages.
Key Differences Between TRC20 and ERC20
Fee Comparison
This is the biggest difference. When withdrawing USDT from Binance:
- TRC20: approximately 1 USDT
- ERC20: approximately 3 to 10 USDT (fluctuates with gas fees)
If you frequently deposit and withdraw, choosing TRC20 saves you several dollars every time.
Speed Comparison
- TRC20: typically 1 to 5 minutes
- ERC20: typically 5 to 30 minutes, longer during congestion
Address Format Comparison
- TRC20 addresses: start with a capital letter T, e.g., T9yD14Nj9j7xAB4dbGeiX9h8unkKHxuWwb
- ERC20 addresses: start with 0x, e.g., 0x71C7656EC7ab88b098defB751B7401B5f6d8976F
Critical warning: These two address types are incompatible. Sending USDT from the ERC20 network to a TRC20 address will result in permanent loss of funds.
Security Comparison
Both are secure. Ethereum and Tron are mature blockchains that have been running for years without major security incidents.
Are There Other Networks?
Besides TRC20 and ERC20, USDT is also issued on several other networks:
BEP20 (BSC Network)
USDT on Binance Smart Chain. Low fees, fast speed, closely integrated with the Binance ecosystem.
Polygon
An Ethereum Layer 2 network with very low fees.
SOL (Solana)
USDT on the Solana network — extremely fast with extremely low fees.
Arbitrum/Optimism
Ethereum Layer 2 networks that inherit Ethereum's security while offering lower fees.
Which Network Should You Choose?
Transferring Between Exchanges
Choose TRC20 or BEP20 — lowest fees and fastest speed.
Transferring from Exchange to DeFi Wallet
Depends on which chain's DeFi protocols you want to use. For Uniswap on Ethereum, choose ERC20. For PancakeSwap on BSC, choose BEP20.
When in Doubt
TRC20 is usually a safe choice. It's currently the most widely used USDT network, supported by virtually every platform.
Sign up on Binance to experience depositing and withdrawing across different networks.
FAQ
Is TRC20 USDT worth the same as ERC20 USDT?
Yes, both are worth approximately 1 US dollar. The only difference is the blockchain network they run on.
Can I send TRC20 USDT directly to an ERC20 address?
No. Different networks have incompatible addresses — sending to the wrong one will result in lost funds. Always ensure both sender and recipient are using the same network.
How do I convert ERC20 USDT to TRC20 USDT?
The simplest method is to deposit to Binance using ERC20, then withdraw using the TRC20 network. Binance handles the network conversion internally.
Which USDT network is more secure?
Both are very secure. When using the Binance app, just make sure to select the correct network.
Safety Tips
- Always confirm that both sender and recipient have selected the same network for deposits and withdrawals
- Never use an address from one chain as if it belongs to another chain
- When using a new network for the first time, send a small test amount
- Carefully check the starting characters of the address — TRC20 starts with T, ERC20 starts with 0x
- If you're unsure which network the other party supports, confirm before transacting