USDT on four networks: which one should you use?

Tether exists on several chains at once. The balance is the same asset but the networks are not connected, and sending to an address on the wrong one usually means the funds are gone.

The practical differences

• TRC20 (TRON). Cheap and fast. The default for moving USDT between services.
• ERC20 (Ethereum). The most widely accepted, and the most expensive. Worth it when the destination only takes ERC20.
• BEP20 (BNB Chain). Cheap, common on services that grew out of that ecosystem.
• SPL (Solana). Very cheap and very fast.

The rule

The network is decided by where the money is going, not by what you prefer. Ask the destination which network it accepts, then match it exactly. Swap Heaven lists each one separately with its network beside it so the two cannot be confused in the picker.

Addresses give you one more check: TRON addresses begin with T, Ethereum and BNB Chain addresses begin with 0x, and Solana addresses are base58 with no prefix. If the shape does not match the network you chose, stop.