How to Send USDT? The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Sending USDT might seem straightforward at first glance, but one wrong move can result in permanent loss of funds. Whether you're transferring Tether between wallets, moving funds from Coinbase to another exchange, or trying to figure out why you need ETH to send your USDT, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

How to Send USDT? Quick Guide

• Set up a compatible crypto wallet if you do not already have one. Make sure to have enough USDT for the transfer and the native cryptocurrency to pay for the gas fees, which depends on the network you choose.
• Find a “Send” or “Transfer” button in your USDT balance tab. Paste the recipient’s address in the appropriate field; the recipient will also need to set up a wallet on the same network prior to that.
• If all details are correct, confirm the transaction. USDT transfers are irreversible! In case of success, the transaction will be broadcast and the balances will change accordingly.

What is USDT (and Why Does It Matter)?

USDT, also known as Tether, is what we call a stablecoin. This means it's designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which can swing wildly in price, USDT aims to stay around $1.

Why is this useful? Let's say you want to move money between crypto exchanges without worrying about price changes during the transfer. Or maybe you want to store some value in crypto form without the volatility. USDT serves these purposes well.

However, here's something important to understand: USDT isn't just one token. It exists on multiple blockchain networks, and each network has different rules, fees, and requirements. This is where many people get confused, and frankly, where mistakes can be costly.

How USDT Differs From Other Cryptocurrencies

You might wonder why we need USDT when we already have Bitcoin and Ethereum. The answer lies in their different purposes.

• Bitcoin is designed as digital money with a limited supply. Its value fluctuates based on supply and demand, making it more of an investment than a stable medium of exchange.
• Ethereum powers smart contracts and decentralized applications. While ETH has value, it's primarily the fuel that runs the Ethereum network.
• USDT, on the other hand, is meant to be stable. It's backed by reserves of US dollars and other assets, making it suitable for transactions where you don't want price volatility.

How to use USDT? This is why USDT has become popular for trading and transferring value: you get the benefits of cryptocurrency (fast, borderless transfers) without the price swings.

Choosing the Right Wallet for Your USDT

Before you can send USDT, you need somewhere to store it. Your choice of wallet will affect everything from security to transaction fees, so let's break down your options.

Hardware Wallets for Maximum Security

Hardware wallets store your private keys offline, making them immune to online attacks. Popular options include Ledger and Trezor devices.

When to use hardware wallets: If you're storing significant amounts of USDT or plan to hold for extended periods. The extra security is worth the inconvenience for large sums.

The downside: They cost money upfront and are less convenient for frequent transactions. You'll need to physically connect the device each time you want to send USDT.

If this is the solution that fits your needs, see this guide by the ChangeHero team to choose your own best hardware wallet.

Software Wallets with Balance of Convenience and Security

Software wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Atomic Wallet run on your computer or phone. They're free and much more convenient for regular use.

When to use software wallets: For moderate amounts and regular transactions. They're perfect if you're actively using USDT for trading or payments.

The downside: Since they're connected to the internet, they're more vulnerable to malware and hacking attempts.

Exchange Wallets: Easy but Risky

Keeping USDT on exchanges like Coinbase or Binance is convenient for trading. A lot of users do that, although this does not mean this is the optimal method. Remember: when your crypto is on an exchange, you don't actually control the private keys.

When to use exchange wallets: For active trading or temporary storage. They make it easy to swap between different cryptocurrencies.

The downside: Exchange risks include potential hacks, regulatory issues, or the exchange freezing your account. As the saying goes, "not your keys, not your crypto."

Setting Up Your Wallet Safely

Regardless of which type you choose, proper setup is crucial. Here's what you need to do:

First, download only from official sources. Fake wallet apps are common and will steal your funds immediately.

Next, create a strong password that you don't use anywhere else. Enable two-factor authentication if available.

Most importantly, write down your seed phrase (usually 12 or 24 words) and store it securely offline. This phrase can recover your wallet if you lose access to your device. Anyone with this phrase can access your funds, so never share it or store it digitally.

How to Send USDT Step-by-Step

Now that you have a wallet set up, let's walk through the actual process of sending USDT. We'll cover this step by step, highlighting the critical points where mistakes commonly happen.

Step 1: Open Your Wallet and Find the Send Function

Log into your wallet using your password or biometric authentication. Look for your USDT balance on the main screen, then find the "Send" or "Transfer" button. This might be labeled differently depending on your wallet, but it's usually represented by an arrow pointing outward or a paper plane icon.

Important: Make sure you're looking at your USDT balance, not another cryptocurrency. One letter can make a whole lot of critical difference! Many wallets display multiple assets, and selecting the wrong one is a common mistake.

Step 2: Enter the Recipient's Address

This is where precision matters most. You'll need to paste the recipient's USDT address into the designated field.

USDT addresses look different depending on which network they're on:

• Ethereum (ERC-20): Starts with "0x" and is 42 characters long
• Tron (TRC-20): Starts with "T" and is 34 characters long
• Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20): Also starts with "0x" and is 42 characters long

It’s highly not recommended to type an address manually. Always copy and paste or use the QR code scanner if your wallet has one. After pasting, double-check the first and last few characters to make sure the address copied correctly.

That’s because sending USDT to the wrong network will result in loss of funds. If someone gives you a Tron address but you send Ethereum-based USDT, your funds will likely be lost forever.

Step 3: Choose Your Network and Amount

Select which network you want to use for the transfer. This choice affects both the speed and cost of your transaction.

Ethereum (ERC-20) is the most widely accepted but often the most expensive, especially during busy periods. Fees can range from $5 to over $50.

Tron (TRC-20) is usually much cheaper, typically costing $1-3 per transaction. It's also faster, with confirmations usually taking just a few minutes.

Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20) offers a middle ground with moderate fees (usually under $2) and decent speed.

Enter the amount of USDT you want to send. Make sure you account for transaction fees: you'll need enough balance to cover both the amount you're sending and the network fee.

Step 4: Review and Confirm the Transaction

Before hitting send, carefully review all the details:

• Recipient address (check it again!)
• Amount you're sending
• Network you've selected
• Transaction fee
• Total cost

Most wallets will show you a summary screen before finalizing the transaction. This is your last chance to catch any errors!

Once you confirm, the transaction is broadcast to the blockchain and cannot be reversed. Your wallet will provide a transaction hash or ID that you can use to track the transfer's progress.

Why You Need More Than Just USDT: Understanding Transaction Fees

One of the most confusing aspects for beginners is understanding why you need other cryptocurrencies to send USDT. Let's clear this up.

There are so-called transaction fees paid to network validators (miners or validators) who process and confirm your transfer. These fees are necessary because they prevent spam and incentivize people to maintain the network.

On Ethereum, you need ETH to pay gas fees. Even if you're only sending USDT, the Ethereum network requires payment in its native currency.

On Tron, you need TRX for transaction fees, though some wallets provide small amounts for free transactions through their energy system.

On BNB Smart Chain or Binance Smart Chain, you need BNB to cover gas fees.

This is why you might find yourself unable to send USDT even though you have plenty of it; you're missing the native currency needed to pay for the transaction.

How Much Do You Actually Need?

For Ethereum, it’s recommended to keep at least $10-20 worth of ETH in wallet for fees. During busy periods, even more might be needed. Check current gas prices on sites like Etherscan before making transactions.

For Tron, $5 worth of TRX is usually enough for many transactions.

For BSC, $2-3 worth of BNB will cover multiple transfers.

Protect Yourself From Common Security Mistakes

Sending cryptocurrency safely requires attention to detail. Here are the most important security practices:

Always verify addresses through multiple channels. If someone is telling you their address over messaging, confirm it through a phone call or video chat, especially for large amounts.

Start with a small test transaction for new addresses or recipients. Sending $5 first to confirm everything works correctly can save you from losing much larger amounts.

Be extremely wary of phishing attempts. Scammers often create fake websites that look like popular wallets or exchanges. Always type URLs directly or use bookmarks.

Never share your private keys or a seed phrase with anyone. Legitimate support teams will never ask for this information. Anyone requesting your seed phrase is trying to steal your funds!

Common Red Flags to Watch For

Sadly, ours is not an exhaustive list but here are some cases we had to deal with. The heartbreaking reality is that romance scams involving cryptocurrency are increasingly common. Be suspicious if someone you've met online asks you to send USDT for any reason, especially with promises of returns.

"Investment opportunities" that guarantee returns are almost always scams. Real investments carry risk, and anyone promising guaranteed profits is likely lying.

Fake customer support is another common scam. Scammers often reach out pretending to be from popular wallets or exchanges, asking for your login information or seed phrase. The ChangeHero team will never reach out to you first!

Troubleshooting When Things Go Wrong

As is often the case, even with careful preparation, issues can arise. Here's how to handle the most common problems.

Is the transaction stuck?

Sometimes transactions remain pending for hours or even days. This usually happens during network congestion, especially on Ethereum.

What you can do: Wait it out - most transactions will eventually confirm. Some wallets allow you to increase the gas fee to speed up processing. Check a blockchain explorer using your transaction hash to see the current status.

What you can't do: Cancel a transaction that's already been broadcast. Blockchain transactions are irreversible once confirmed.

Sent USDT to the Wrong Address?

This is unfortunately one of the most costly mistakes in cryptocurrency. Transactions to wrong addresses are effectively permanent and irreversible.

Your only hope is if you know the person who controls the wrong address and they're willing to send the funds back. Otherwise, the USDT is likely gone forever.

This is why double and triple-checking addresses is so important.

Missing the Required Native Token?

If you try to send USDT but don't have ETH, TRX, or BNB for fees, the transaction will fail.

Solution: You'll need to buy some of the appropriate native tokens. Most exchanges sell ETH, TRX, and BNB. You only need a small amount - usually $5-20 worth is plenty.

Workshopping Your Cases

To cap the guide off, let's address some common situations you might encounter. If you only know what we’d guided you through above, they are not impossible to figure out but can be tough, so let’s prevent the headaches with some extra practical tips.

Sending USDT from Coinbase

A frequent user issue is how to send USDT from Coinbase, where they often encounter the stablecoin for the first time in their lives. Coinbase primarily uses Ethereum-based (ERC-20) USDT. When you withdraw USDT from Coinbase, it will be sent on the Ethereum network unless otherwise specified.

Important: Coinbase doesn't support TRC-20 USDT directly. If you need to send TRC-20 USDT, you'll need to withdraw to another exchange or wallet that supports both networks, then swap or transfer from there.

Moving USDT Between Exchanges

When transferring between exchanges, always check which networks both platforms support. Using an unsupported network will result in lost funds.

For maximum compatibility, stick with ERC-20 USDT, though be prepared for higher fees. Most major exchanges support Ethereum-based USDT.

Sending Without Network Fees

Unfortunately, you cannot send USDT without having the appropriate native cryptocurrency for fees. However, some strategies can minimize these costs:

Use Tron (TRC-20) for the lowest fees. The Tron network also utilizes “energy”, which under specific circumstances translates into feeless transfers: Tron-native apps and wallets use that sometimes.

Some wallets (e.g. Trust Wallet) provide small amounts of native tokens for new users as a promotion.

Choose exchanges that cover network fees upon withdrawal (i.e. pay ETH gas fee for you if you withdraw ERC-20 USDT). Not to be confused with the exchange’s withdrawal fee.

Wrapping Up: Key Points to Remember

Sending USDT safely comes down to understanding the basics: choose the right network, verify addresses carefully, and keep small amounts of native tokens for fees.

The most important takeaway is this: cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, so accuracy matters more than speed. Taking an extra minute to verify details can save you from permanent loss of funds.

As you become more comfortable with USDT transfers, you'll develop your own preferred methods and safety checks. Start with small amounts, use networks you understand, and gradually work up to larger transactions as your confidence grows.

Crypto can seem intimidating at first, but with proper knowledge and careful attention to detail, sending USDT can become as routine as any other financial transaction.

Let us know if this guide helped you or if it can be improved! Read more guides from the team in our blog and give us a follow on social media of your choice: we’re on X, Facebook, and Telegram.