How to send USDT to another wallet

Understanding USDT and Wallet Compatibility

Before sending USDT (Tether) to another wallet, it’s essential to understand that USDT exists on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum (ERC-20), Tron (TRC-20), Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20), and others. Each version of USDT operates on its respective network, and sending USDT using the wrong network can result in permanent loss of funds. Therefore, the sender and recipient must ensure that both wallets support the same blockchain standard.

For example, if your wallet holds USDT on the TRC-20 network, the receiving wallet must also accept TRC-20 USDT. Sending ERC-20 USDT to a TRC-20-only address will likely result in the tokens being lost. Always verify the network compatibility with the recipient before initiating a transfer. Most wallets display the network type next to the USDT balance or during the withdrawal process.

Preparing Your Wallet for Transfer

To begin the process of sending USDT, log in to the wallet or exchange platform where your USDT is stored. This could be a hot wallet like Trust Wallet, MetaMask, or a centralized exchange such as Binance or Coinbase. Once logged in, navigate to the wallet section and locate your USDT balance.

Ensure that your wallet has sufficient native cryptocurrency to cover the transaction fee. For example:

• If sending ERC-20 USDT, you’ll need ETH for gas fees.
• If using TRC-20 USDT, you may need TRX or bandwidth on the Tron network.
• For BEP-20 USDT, BNB is required for gas.

Without enough of the native token, the transaction will fail. Check your balance and top up if necessary. Also, confirm that your wallet is fully synced and connected to the correct network.

Initiating the USDT Transfer

Once your wallet is ready, proceed to send USDT by following these steps:

• Click the “Send” button next to your USDT balance.
• Enter the recipient’s wallet address carefully. This is typically a long string of alphanumeric characters starting with “0x” for Ethereum-based networks or “T” for Tron.
• Select the correct USDT network (e.g., ERC-20, TRC-20, BEP-20) from the dropdown menu if prompted.
• Input the amount of USDT you wish to send.
• Double-check the address and network to avoid irreversible errors.

Many wallets offer a “paste” function to reduce manual input errors. After entering the details, the wallet will calculate the transaction fee. Review the total cost, including the fee, before confirming.

Confirming and Monitoring the Transaction

After reviewing all details, click “Confirm” or “Send” to broadcast the transaction to the blockchain. You may be prompted to enter a password, 2FA code, or approve the transaction via a hardware wallet or biometric authentication.

Once confirmed, the transaction is submitted to the network. You can monitor its status using a block explorer:

• For ERC-20 USDT, use Etherscan.io.
• For TRC-20 USDT, use Tronscan.org.
• For BEP-20 USDT, use BscScan.com.

Enter the transaction hash (TXID) provided by your wallet into the block explorer to track confirmation progress. Transaction times vary:

• TRC-20 usually confirms within 1–2 minutes.
• ERC-20 may take 1–15 minutes, depending on network congestion.
• BEP-20 typically confirms within 5 minutes.

Do not refresh or close the wallet app during this process. Wait for the transaction to receive sufficient confirmations.

Security Best Practices During USDT Transfer

Security is critical when transferring USDT. Always ensure you are using the official website or app of your wallet or exchange. Avoid clicking on links from emails or messages claiming to be from wallet providers.

Never share your private key or recovery phrase with anyone. Legitimate services will never ask for this information. When pasting a wallet address, right-click and select “Paste” instead of typing manually to avoid clipboard hijacking malware.

Before sending a large amount, test with a small transaction first (e.g., $1 worth of USDT). Confirm that the recipient receives it successfully on the correct network. Only proceed with the full amount after verification.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your wallet or exchange account. Use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator instead of SMS for better security.

Troubleshooting Failed or Stuck Transactions

If your USDT transfer does not confirm within the expected time, check the transaction status on the appropriate block explorer. A stuck transaction may be due to low gas fees or network congestion.

For Ethereum-based transactions, some wallets allow you to speed up or cancel the transaction by resubmitting with a higher gas fee. This requires creating a new transaction with the same nonce but a higher fee.

If the transaction shows as “failed”, the USDT will be returned to your wallet, though the gas fee is still deducted. If the transaction is confirmed but the recipient hasn’t received funds, verify that:

• The correct network was used.
• The recipient’s wallet supports that USDT version.
• The recipient has sufficient balance of the native token to receive the transfer (e.g., TRX for TRC-20).

Contact the recipient’s wallet support only if all checks pass and the issue persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send USDT from Binance to MetaMask?Yes, you can send USDT from Binance to MetaMask. On Binance, choose the withdrawal network (e.g., ERC-20 or BEP-20) that matches the network MetaMask is using. In MetaMask, ensure you’re on the correct network (e.g., Ethereum Mainnet for ERC-20). Enter the MetaMask wallet address on Binance and complete the withdrawal.

What happens if I send USDT on the wrong network?If you send USDT using an incompatible network (e.g., ERC-20 USDT to a BEP-20-only address), the tokens may be lost permanently. Some exchanges or wallets offer recovery services, but there’s no guarantee. Always confirm the network with the recipient.

Why is my USDT transaction taking so long?Transaction delays are usually due to network congestion or low transaction fees. For ERC-20 transfers, high Ethereum gas demand can slow confirmations. Check the block explorer for updates. Consider using TRC-20 USDT for faster, cheaper transfers.

Do I need to pay a fee in USDT to send USDT?No, transaction fees are paid in the native blockchain token, not in USDT. For example, ERC-20 USDT transfers require ETH for gas, while TRC-20 transfers may require TRX or bandwidth. The fee is separate from the USDT amount you send.