ERC-20, BEP-20 and TRC-20 are token standards on three different blockchains: ERC-20 on Ethereum, BEP-20 on BNB Chain, TRC-20 on Tron. USDT and USDC exist on all three, but they are separate tokens on separate networks: different contracts, different gas tokens (ETH, BNB, TRX) and different fees. When sending, the network must match on both sides.
Key Takeaways
- ERC-20 and BEP-20 share the 0x address format, which makes mix-ups easy.
- TRC-20 uses Tron addresses starting with T.
- Gas: ETH on Ethereum, BNB on BNB Chain, TRX (or energy) on Tron.
- Choose the network the receiver supports, then compare fees.
Comparison Table
| ERC-20 | BEP-20 | TRC-20 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blockchain | Ethereum | BNB Chain | Tron |
| Address starts with | 0x | 0x | T |
| Gas token | ETH | BNB | TRX, energy, bandwidth |
| USDT contract | 0xdAC17F958D2ee523a2206206994597C13D831ec7 | 0x55d398326f99059fF775485246999027B3197955 (Binance-Peg) | TR7NHqjeKQxGTCi8q8ZY4pL8otSzgjLj6t |
| Typical use | DeFi, large amounts | Binance ecosystem, cheap transfers | Exchange transfers, payments |
USDT on BNB Chain is Binance-Peg USDT, issued by Binance and backed by USDT on another chain, not issued by Tether directly.
Are They Compatible?
- ERC-20 and BEP-20: same address works on both, because both are EVM chains. A token sent “on the wrong one” lands at the same address on the other chain; see sent crypto to the wrong network.
- TRC-20 and the others: different address format; you need a bridge or an exchange to move between them.
Other EVM networks (Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, Optimism) also use ERC-20 tokens with 0x addresses, so the same caution applies. See USDT networks for the full list.
Which One to Choose
- Check the receiver: the exchange or wallet deposit page lists supported networks.
- Check fees in your wallet: Ethereum mainnet is usually the most expensive for small transfers.
- Check gas: you need ETH, BNB or TRX (or Tron energy) on the sending network.
Multichain self-custodial wallets such as Gem Wallet hold USDT on Ethereum, BNB Chain and Tron in one app and show the network next to each balance.
Moving USDT Between Standards
To convert BEP-20 USDT to ERC-20 USDT, or TRC-20 to an EVM chain, use a cross-chain swap or bridge: see how to bridge USDT and cheapest way to move USDT.
Related: what is USDT0, gas tokens by chain.
