Coinbase Wallet insufficient funds for gas fee

You need native cryptocurrency like ETH or MATIC in your Coinbase Wallet to cover gas fees, even when sending tokens like USDT or DAI.

Jul 24, 2025 at 06:14 pm

Understanding the "Insufficient Funds for Gas Fee" Error on Coinbase Wallet

If you're using Coinbase Wallet and encounter the error "insufficient funds for gas fee", it can be confusing, especially if your wallet shows a balance. This error specifically refers to the lack of native cryptocurrency needed to pay for transaction fees, commonly known as gas fees.

In blockchain transactions, every operation—whether it's sending tokens, interacting with a decentralized app (dApp), or swapping tokens—requires a small amount of the native coin (like ETH on Ethereum or MATIC on Polygon) to cover the computational resources used. Even if you're trying to send a token like USDT or DAI, you still need the native coin to pay the gas fee.

Why You Might Encounter This Error

There are several reasons why the "insufficient funds for gas fee" message appears:

• No native token in your wallet: If you're on Ethereum and don't have ETH, you can't pay the gas fee.
• Low balance of native token: Sometimes you have some ETH or MATIC, but not enough to cover the current gas price.
• High network congestion: During busy times, gas fees spike, requiring more native tokens than usual.
• Using a testnet without test ETH: If you're testing on a network like Goerli or Mumbai, you need testnet ETH or MATIC, which isn't the same as real tokens.

This error is not unique to Coinbase Wallet—it's a standard Ethereum (and EVM-compatible network) restriction.

How to Check Your Native Token Balance

To verify if you have enough native token to pay for gas:

• Open the Coinbase Wallet app.
• Navigate to the Wallet tab.
• Look for the native token of the network you're using. For example, on Ethereum Mainnet, check for ETH. On Polygon, look for MATIC.
• If you're using a custom network like Binance Smart Chain, ensure you have BNB.

If you don't see any balance of the native token, you'll need to receive some from another wallet or exchange.

How to Acquire Native Tokens for Gas Fees

To resolve the insufficient funds for gas fee error:

• Buy native tokens directly: You can buy ETH, MATIC, or BNB directly on Coinbase.com and transfer them to your Coinbase Wallet.
• Request small amounts from others: Ask a friend or use a faucet service (for testnets) to get small amounts of native tokens.
• Use a different network: If you don't have gas on Ethereum, switch to a network like Polygon, which may already have a small MATIC balance.
• Use a gasless wallet service: Some wallets or dApps offer gasless transactions using meta-transactions, but these are not supported by Coinbase Wallet.

Always ensure the token you're receiving matches the network you're using.

Switching Networks to Avoid Gas Fees

If you're unable to acquire the native token quickly, consider using a network with lower or no gas fees:

• Open the Coinbase Wallet app.
• Tap the Network dropdown (usually at the top).
• Select a network like Polygon (MATIC) or Binance Smart Chain (BNB).
• Ensure you have the native token for the new network.

Some decentralized exchanges or dApps operate on multiple networks. Switching can help avoid high Ethereum gas fees.

Checking Gas Fees Before Sending Transactions

Before attempting a transaction, always check the estimated gas fee:

• In the Coinbase Wallet app, when you prepare to send a token or interact with a contract, review the Gas Fee section.
• Gas fees are usually displayed in USD and native token value (e.g., 0.001 ETH or $3.00).
• If the fee is too high or you can't afford it, wait for off-peak hours or switch to a cheaper network.

You can also use tools like Etherscan Gas Tracker or Polygon Gas Station to monitor real-time gas prices.

FAQs

Q: Can I use stablecoins like USDT or USDC to pay gas fees?

A: No. You can only pay gas fees with the native token of the network you're using (e.g., ETH for Ethereum, MATIC for Polygon).

Q: Why do I still get the error even though I have some ETH or MATIC?

A: The amount may be too low to cover the current gas price. Gas fees fluctuate based on network demand, so a small balance might not be sufficient during peak times.

Q: Can I receive ETH or MATIC directly into Coinbase Wallet from another wallet?

A: Yes. You can send native tokens from any compatible wallet or exchange to your Coinbase Wallet address. Just make sure to use the correct network.

Q: Is there a way to estimate gas fees before I send a transaction?

A: Yes. The Coinbase Wallet app shows a gas fee estimate before you confirm a transaction. Always review this before proceeding.