USDT TRC20 vs ERC20 — network comparison
TRC20 and ERC20 are two networks carrying the same USDT. GiftClaude does not accept USDT: current checkout routes use native BTC, ETH, SOL, BNB, POL or TRX. This guide remains as an educational comparison for moving or converting USDT elsewhere.
The practical difference
The token is the same dollar-pegged asset. The network is the road it travels on. Tron fees are a fraction of a dollar and confirmation is fast. Ethereum fees float with network demand and can be several dollars.
For small transfers elsewhere, TRC20 is often cheaper. ERC20 can make sense if the funds are already on Ethereum and moving them would cost more than the fee difference. To pay GiftClaude, convert or withdraw into one of the supported native assets instead.
The mistake that costs you everything
Sending on the wrong network is the one irreversible error. A TRC20 address and an ERC20 address look different — Tron addresses start with T, Ethereum addresses start with 0x — but exchanges will happily let you pick the wrong network in a dropdown.
Check the receiving address's network, then check the network selected in your wallet or exchange. Then check once more. Funds sent to an address on the wrong network are usually unrecoverable.
Why your payment can arrive short
Exchanges may deduct their withdrawal fee from the amount you send instead of adding it on top. Ask to withdraw $54.50 and the recipient may receive $53.50.
Review the exchange's withdrawal fee and minimum before confirming any transfer so the destination receives the intended amount.