How to fix "insufficient smart chain (BNB) balance" on Trust Wallet?

To resolve the "insufficient Smart Chain (BNB) balance" error in Trust Wallet, ensure you have enough BNB on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) to cover gas fees, as BEP-20 tokens alone cannot pay for transactions.

Jul 02, 2025 at 12:43 am

Understanding the "Insufficient Smart Chain (BNB) Balance" Error

When using Trust Wallet to interact with the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), users may encounter an error message stating "insufficient smart chain (BNB) balance." This typically occurs when attempting to send tokens such as BEP-20 tokens, including CAKE, BUSD, or SAFEMOON, and the wallet lacks enough BNB to pay for gas fees. Unlike Ethereum-based wallets where ETH is used for gas, BSC requires BNB for transaction fees.

It’s crucial to understand that even if you have a large amount of BEP-20 tokens in your Trust Wallet, they cannot be used to pay for gas — only BNB can fulfill this role. Without a sufficient BNB balance, any attempt to send or interact with tokens on the BSC network will fail.

Checking Your BNB Balance in Trust Wallet

Before proceeding with any fixes, verify whether your Trust Wallet actually has BNB in the Binance Smart Chain section:

• Open the Trust Wallet app
• Tap on the Wallet tab
• Scroll through your assets and locate BNB
• Ensure it's under the Smart Chain (BSC) section

If there is no visible BNB balance listed under the Smart Chain, then the issue is confirmed. The solution involves acquiring and transferring BNB to your BSC address within Trust Wallet.

Purchasing BNB via Trust Wallet or External Exchange

There are two primary ways to obtain BNB:

• Buying directly within Trust Wallet
• Purchasing from a centralized exchange

To buy BNB directly in Trust Wallet:

• Go to the Buy button inside the BNB token page
• Choose a payment method like credit card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay
• Select Binance Smart Chain as the network
• Complete the purchase

Alternatively, if you prefer using exchanges:

• Log into platforms like Binance, KuCoin, or Coinbase
• Purchase BNB
• Withdraw the BNB to your Trust Wallet’s BSC address

Make sure to select the correct network (BSC - BEP20) during withdrawal to avoid losing funds.

Sending BNB to Trust Wallet from Another Wallet

If you already own BNB in another wallet, you can transfer it to your Trust Wallet:

• In Trust Wallet, go to the Receive option under BNB
• Copy the BSC address
• Open the sending wallet and initiate a BNB transfer
• Paste the copied Trust Wallet address
• Set the network to BSC (BEP20)

Ensure that the sending wallet uses the same token standard (BEP20) and network (BSC) to prevent loss of funds. Incorrect transfers to other networks (e.g., Binance Chain instead of Smart Chain) may result in irreversible fund loss.

Verifying Transaction Completion and Gas Fees

Once the BNB has been successfully transferred to your Trust Wallet, check the updated balance under the Smart Chain section. It may take a few minutes for the transaction to confirm depending on network congestion.

After confirmation:

• Attempt the original transaction again (e.g., sending a BEP-20 token)
• Ensure the gas fee estimate is within acceptable limits
• Confirm the transaction in the Trust Wallet interface

You should now see that the “insufficient smart chain (BNB) balance” error no longer appears, and your transaction proceeds without issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use Binance Chain BNB to pay for Smart Chain transactions?

No, Binance Chain (BC) BNB and Smart Chain (BSC) BNB are separate. Only BSC BNB can be used to pay for gas fees on the Binance Smart Chain.

Q: Why did my BNB transfer not show up in Trust Wallet?

This could happen due to incorrect network selection during transfer, syncing delays, or entering the wrong receiving address. Double-check the network type (BSC) and ensure the transfer was completed properly.

Q: What happens if I send BNB using the wrong network?

Sending BNB using the incorrect network (e.g., Binance Chain instead of Smart Chain) can lead to permanent loss of funds. Always verify the network before initiating a transfer.

Q: How much BNB do I need for gas fees?

The required amount varies based on network congestion and transaction complexity. Typically, 0.01–0.05 BNB is sufficient for simple token transfers.