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How to send USDT means transferring Tether (USDT) between crypto wallets or platforms. You need to choose the correct network, enter the right USDT address, and confirm the transaction so the funds reach the recipient safely.
Key Takeaways
- USDT exists on multiple networks, and when sending USDT, the sender and recipient must use the same network - choosing the wrong network makes the transaction irreversible.
- Sending USDT securely means checking the network in advance, verifying the USDT address, and making sure you have enough native tokens to pay the transaction fee.
What Is USDT (Tether)?
USDT (Tether) is the most popular stablecoin in the world, issued by the company Tether. Its price is pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio, which is why USDT is often called a “digital dollar”. According to the issuer, more than 500 million people worldwide send and receive USDT today for trading, payments, sending money to family or friends, and moving funds between different services.
Before sending USDT, it is important to remember one simple rule: you must know which network your USDT is on. Below, we explain the different formats in which Tether exists.
TRC20, ERC20, BEP20, and Other USDT Formats
USDT works on multiple blockchains. It looks like the same token, but in practice these are different versions with different USDT contract addresses. Below are the most popular ones.
TRC20: Is the most popular USDT format on the TRON network. It is chosen for its speed and wide support. However, despite lower fees after the August vote, sending USDT in TRC20 is no longer the cheapest option due to the rising price of TRX, even though many sources still call this network “low-fee”. In practice, transfer costs can be reduced by staking TRX in a TRC20 Wallet, which allows USDT transfer fees to be reduced almost to zero.
ERC20: Is the USDT format on the Ethereum network. It is most often used in DeFi, especially in liquidity pools, swaps, and other protocols within the Ethereum ecosystem. Fees depend on network congestion, so if the recipient specifies ERC20, USDT must be sent via an ERC20 Wallet.
Other USDT Formats: In addition to TRC20 and ERC20, USDT is also used on other networks - BEP20 (BNB Chain), SPL (Solana), and USDT Jetton (TON). These formats are also widely used and are suitable for fast transfers within their own ecosystems.
Important: Before sending USDT, always check which network the recipient supports - if you choose the wrong network (for example, send ERC20 instead of TRC20), the funds cannot be recovered.
How to Send USDT From a Wallet in 2 Minutes
Now let’s look step by step at how to send USDT using one of the best USDT Wallet - Gem Wallet. It is a self-custodial, open-source wallet, which means your USDT stays fully under your control. The app does not ask for your phone number, email, or personal data - you install the wallet, save your seed phrase, and use it every day. Below is a clear USDT sending flow that helps avoid 99% of common mistakes.
Step 1 - Check the Recipient’s Network Before Copying the Address
First, you need to know which network the recipient expects USDT on - TRON (TRC20), Ethereum (ERC20), BNB Chain (BEP20), or Solana (SPL). This is more important than the amount: beginners most often make mistakes at this step by choosing the network “at random” because “USDT is the same everywhere”. If the recipient provides both an address and a network, follow it exactly. If the network is not specified, do not send USDT until you confirm it.
Step 2 - Open USDT in Gem Wallet and Select the Correct Network
In Gem Wallet, find USDT and check which network it is currently on. The sending network must match the recipient’s network. The wallet does not move tokens between networks automatically, so sending USDT securely always starts with choosing the same network.
Step 3 - Paste the USDT Address and Double-Check It
You can scan the recipient’s QR code or paste the recipient’s USDT address into the send field. Then check the first and last 4-6 characters of the address. Yes, technically this is just a wallet address, but if you make a mistake when entering it, the transfer cannot be canceled or reversed.
Sending USDT in Gem Wallet: selecting USDT on BEP20 (BNB Chain) and entering the recipient’s address before confirming the transaction.
Step 4 - Enter the USDT Amount and Check the Network Fee in Advance
Enter the USDT amount and review the network fee. In Gem Wallet, you can manually choose the USDT transaction speed, which also affects the network fee - higher speed means a higher fee.
Important: Gem Wallet does not charge any extra fees. You only pay the blockchain network fee. Make sure you have enough “fuel” - the native token of the network to cover the fee (TRX for TRON, ETH for Ethereum, BNB for BNB Chain). Without it, the USDT transaction will not go through.
Step 5 - Confirm the USDT Transfer and Check the Transaction Status
Confirm the transaction. After sending, open the transfer details in the Gem Wallet interface and check the status: pending means the network is still processing the transaction, and successful means the USDT has reached the recipient. If needed, you can also open the transaction in a blockchain explorer (Tronscan for the TRON network, Etherscan for the Ethereum network) using the transaction hash (a unique transaction ID).
If you are sending USDT to a new address for the first time, good financial practice is to make a small test transfer first and send the main amount only after it is confirmed.
Sending USDT in Gem Wallet: entering the amount and reviewing the transaction details before confirmation.
How to Send USDT From a Wallet to an Exchange
With Gem Wallet, you can easily and securely send USDT to crypto exchanges. To do this, open the USDT deposit page in your exchange account, select the exact network, and copy the deposit address. If the exchange requires a memo or tag (an additional code), make sure to include it when sending. Then, in Gem Wallet, tap Send, paste the address, double-check the network, and confirm the transaction. For a more detailed step-by-step guide with screenshots, see our documentation.
How to Send USDT to BTC
Sometimes the task is described as “sending USDT to Bitcoin”, but technically USDT to BTC is not a transfer - it is a swap from one asset to another. Gem Wallet has a built-in DEX aggregator that lets you easily swap USDT for BTC directly inside the wallet. The wallet works with top DEX providers and automatically finds the best available rate based on the current BTC/USDT price, so you get a competitive exchange without leaving the app.
How to send USDT to BTC in Gem Wallet - easy asset swap at competitive rates.
USDT has made global transfers much easier - sending and receiving funds is now faster and more convenient than ever. But from personal experience, I can say that these benefits really work only when you use a secure USDT Wallet. Gem Wallet helps you avoid common mistakes when sending USDT and keeps your assets protected at a high level.
