One coin, many networks
Stablecoins like USDT and USDC exist on several networks at the same time: Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, Tron and others. "USDT on Polygon" and "USDT on Ethereum" are worth the same, but they live on different networks and can't see each other.
Why the network matters
For the money to arrive, the sender and the recipient need to be on the same network. If the exchange expects USDT on Tron and you send it on Polygon, the transaction goes through, but the balance doesn't show up on the other side.
On networks that are compatible with each other (like Ethereum, Polygon and BNB Chain, which use the same address format), the owner of the receiving wallet can usually recover the funds by switching networks in their own wallet. But if the recipient is an exchange, recovery is up to the exchange and may not be possible.
How to check
- Ask the recipient: which coin and which network?
- Check the network selected in the app before confirming.
- If in doubt, send a small amount first.