TRC-20
An equivalent of the ERC-20 standard, but on the TRON network. It is widely used for USDT transfers — fees on TRON are typically much lower than on Ethereum.
How it works
TRC-20 is the token standard on the Tron network. It describes the set of functions a token contract must provide: report a balance, transfer funds, authorise a third party to spend. Any wallet that knows the standard works with any such token.
The standard mirrors Ethereum's ERC-20 and deliberately repeats its function set. The difference is not in logic but in the network: Tron has its own fees, confirmation speed and way of paying for gas.
The standard's practical fame rests almost entirely on one use — USDT transfers. Tron has rivalled Ethereum on the volume of those transfers for years, for a simple reason: a transfer here costs cents rather than dollars.
How it differs from neighbouring standards
Sending 1,000 USDT across three networks. Fee figures are indicative and move with network load.
| TRC-20 on Tron | around $1 |
| ERC-20 on Ethereum | $3–15 |
| BEP-20 on BNB Chain | around $0.20 |
| Confirmation time on Tron | about a minute |
For moving stablecoins between exchanges the fee difference decides everything, which is how Tron took this niche. But the network has fewer DeFi applications and markedly higher validator concentration, so the choice is not better versus worse but cheaper versus broader.
What to watch for
- The network is chosen separately on withdrawalUSDT exists on a dozen networks. Send TRC-20 to an ERC-20 address and the funds are almost certainly lost for good.
- You need TRX on the balance for feesFees are paid in the network's native coin. A wallet holding only USDT cannot send until it also holds a small amount of TRX.
- Addresses begin with TThe address format differs visually from Ethereum's, and that is the first check before sending.
- The issuer can freeze a balanceThat is a property of USDT itself rather than the network: the issuing company can technically block an address on any network.