Stablecoin transfers explained: USDC and USDT on different networks

Short answer

A stablecoin transfer moves USDC or USDT on one specific blockchain. The same coin exists on many networks: Circle publishes USDC contracts on Ethereum, Solana, Base and dozens more, and Tether lists USDT on Ethereum, Tron, Solana and others. Both sides of a transfer must use the same network, so pick one the recipient’s receive screen explicitly shows.

At a glance

• USDC networksCircle publishes native USDC contract addresses for more than 30 mainnet blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, Base, Arbitrum, Polygon PoS, Avalanche and Stellar
• USDT networksTether lists Ethereum, Avalanche, Tron (TRC20), Solana, TON, Aptos, Near, Tezos, Celo, Kaia, Kava, Liquid and Polkadot AssetHub, among others
• No longer supported for USDTTether is no longer issuing or obligated to redeem USDT on Kusama, Bitcoin Cash SLP, Omni Layer, EOS and Algorand
• Fee currencythe network’s own coin (ETH on Ethereum and Base, SOL on Solana), not the stablecoin
• Moving between networksnot by a normal send; you use an exchange that supports both, or a cross-chain tool

Sources: Circle: USDC contract addresses · Tether: Supported protocols · Checked on September 27, 2026

One coin, many networks

A stablecoin is a token issued on a blockchain and designed to track the US dollar; Circle calls USDC “a dollar-backed stablecoin that runs on multiple blockchains”. Each blockchain has its own copy of the token, controlled by its own smart contract. Tether says one USDT on blockchain X equals one USDT on blockchain Y in value, but that is a statement about value, not about movement: a token on Tron can’t be sent to an address on Ethereum.

The token name is the same everywhere. The network is not.

Before you send: match three things

1. The token. USDC and USDT are different coins from different issuers. Sending USDT to an address that expects USDC is a different mistake from choosing the wrong network, and platforms handle it differently.
2. The network. Ask the recipient which network their receive screen shows (“USDC on Solana”, “USDT on Tron”) and pick exactly that on your side.
3. The fee coin. From your own wallet, you need the network’s coin to pay the fee: ETH to move USDC on Ethereum or Base, SOL on Solana. From an exchange, the exchange pays the network and charges you.

Coinbase’s example of what happens otherwise: USDC sent from a self-hosted wallet on Solana to a Coinbase USDC address on Ethereum is lost. Coinbase makes one exception on its platform: for assets with multi-chain support, it uses one address for Ethereum and Polygon, so USDC sent on Ethereum to a Coinbase Polygon USDC address arrives. That’s a Coinbase rule, not a blockchain rule; don’t assume another platform does the same.

Warning

A wrong-network stablecoin send can be permanent. Coinbase says it cannot recover funds sent or received on an incorrect network. Kraken says deposits sent on unsupported networks are likely non-recoverable; where it can help, its recovery fee is $200 or $500, with no guarantee. Details: sent crypto to wrong network.

Native and bridged versions

On some networks there are two tokens both called USDC. Circle’s list covers native USDC, issued by Circle. Circle notes, for example, that X Layer also has a bridged token labelled USDC.e, which “is not issued or backed by Circle”. Kraken supports both USDC.e and native USDC on Polygon and Arbitrum and lists them separately.

What that means for you:

• check the exact label on the receive screen (USDC or USDC.e);
• if you hold a bridged version, confirm the receiving platform accepts it before sending;
• in a self-custody wallet, the token’s contract address tells you which one you hold; Circle publishes the native contracts.

Moving stablecoins from one network to another

A normal send stays on one network. To change networks you have two routes.

Through an exchange. Deposit on one network and withdraw on another, if the exchange supports both. Coinbase Exchange, for example, says a deposit is credited to one balance whatever network it came from, and you choose the network again when you withdraw. Pay attention to the network on both legs.

Through a cross-chain tool. Circle runs CCTP, which it describes as a permissionless protocol that burns native USDC on one chain and mints it on another. Wallets and apps build on it; you normally meet it inside an app rather than directly. Third-party bridges also exist; they add their own risk, and bridged tokens may not be the issuer’s native version.

Fees on stablecoin transfers

There are two layers: the network fee and anything the platform adds.

Source: links in each row · Checked on September 27, 2026

How fees and waiting times work on each network: crypto network fees.

What the GENIUS Act changed

On July 18, 2025, the GENIUS Act became Public Law 119-27, the first federal framework for payment stablecoins. According to the White House fact sheet published that day, the law:

• requires 100% reserve backing with liquid assets such as US dollars or short-term Treasuries, and monthly public disclosure of what the reserves are;
• forbids issuers from claiming their stablecoins are backed by the US government, federally insured or legal tender;
• puts holders’ claims first if an issuer becomes insolvent;
• requires issuers to be able to seize, freeze or burn payment stablecoins when legally required.

The last point matters for transfers: an issuer can freeze payment stablecoins under a lawful order.

What changed

• LawGENIUS Act (S. 1582), Public Law 119-27
• SignedJuly 18, 2025
• Whopayment stablecoin issuers and, through them, holders

Sources: Congress.gov: S.1582 · White House fact sheet · Checked on September 27, 2026

Cashing a stablecoin out to your bank is covered in how to cash out crypto. This page explains how transfers work; it is not financial advice and does not recommend any coin.