Crypto Network Guide — Crypto Network Reference Tool (2026)
⚠ Wrong network = lost funds
Free 2026 Reference Tool

Send Crypto on the
Wrong Network,
Lose It Forever.

Match your token to the exact blockchain before you hit send. No jargon. Just the facts.

$10B+Lost to wrong-network transfers
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✓ Correct Transfer
CryptoNetwork
💰
USDC
BASE
→
✅
USDC
BASE
✓ ARRIVED INSTANTLY — SAME NETWORK
✗ Network Mismatch
CryptoNetwork
💰
USDC
ETH
✗
💀
EMPTY
SOL
✗ FUNDS LOST — NETWORK MISMATCH
Search any token
⌕
Complete Network Reference

Click any token to expand its full network breakdown.

₿
Bitcoin
BTC · Layer 1 · Original cryptocurrency
MAINNETLN
⚠ Bitcoin addresses only work on Bitcoin Mainnet. wBTC on Ethereum is a wrapped token — NOT the same. Never send native BTC to an Ethereum address.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Bitcoin Mainnet NATIVE L1 ~ $1–$10 10–60 min True BTC. Slowest/safest.
Lightning Network L2 < $0.01 Instant Micropayments. Not all wallets.
Liquid Network Sidechain < $0.05 ~2 min Blockstream sidechain
Ethereum (wBTC) ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec WRAPPED — uses custodian
₮
Tether USD ⚠ Most lost
USDT · Stablecoin · $1.00 peg
ETHBSCSOLTRX
⚠ USDT runs on 10+ networks. ALWAYS confirm which network the receiving address expects. Sending TRC20-USDT to an ERC20 address = permanent loss.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Tron POPULAR TRC-20 < $0.01 Instant Nearly free. Most used.
Ethereum ERC-20 $5–$50 ~15 sec Most widely supported
BNB Smart Chain BEP-20 < $0.05 ~3 sec Binance/CEX compatible
Solana SPL < $0.01 Instant Fast, low cost
Polygon ERC-20 < $0.01 ~2 sec Ethereum L2 sidechain
Arbitrum ERC-20 < $0.05 ~1 sec Ethereum L2 rollup
Optimism ERC-20 < $0.05 ~1 sec Ethereum L2 rollup
Avalanche (C-Chain) ERC-20 < $0.02 ~2 sec EVM compatible
$
USD Coin
USDC · Stablecoin · $1.00 peg · Circle issued
BASEETHSOL
⚠ Native USDC (issued by Circle) and bridged USDC.e are NOT the same. Many exchanges only support specific networks. Confirm before sending.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Ethereum ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec Original/most trusted
Base POPULAR ERC-20 < $0.01 Instant Coinbase L2. Growing fast.
Solana SPL < $0.01 Instant Native USDC, not bridged
Polygon ERC-20 < $0.01 ~2 sec
Arbitrum ERC-20 < $0.05 ~1 sec
Avalanche ERC-20 < $0.02 ~2 sec
Ξ
Ethereum
ETH · Layer 1 · Smart contract platform
MAINNETARBOP
⚠ ETH on L2s (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base) looks the same address but lives on a different network. Always check the network setting in your wallet.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Ethereum Mainnet NATIVE L1 $5–$50 ~15 sec Highest security
Arbitrum One L2 Rollup < $0.05 ~1 sec Largest L2 by TVL
Optimism L2 Rollup < $0.05 ~1 sec OP Stack based
Base L2 Rollup < $0.01 Instant Coinbase's L2
zkSync Era ZK Rollup < $0.03 ~1 sec ZK proof based
Polygon Sidechain < $0.01 ~2 sec High liquidity
◎
Solana
SOL · Layer 1 · High-speed blockchain
SOLANA
⚠ SOL only runs on the Solana network. Solana addresses do NOT start with "0x". Never send SOL to an Ethereum address — completely incompatible.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Solana Mainnet ONLY SPL < $0.001 ~400ms Only official network
BNB
BNB
BNB · Layer 1 · Binance ecosystem token
BSCBEP-2
⚠ BNB has two main standards: BEP-20 (BNB Smart Chain) and BEP-2 (old Binance Chain). Most exchanges now use BEP-20. Sending BEP-2 to a BEP-20 address = loss.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
BNB Smart Chain USE THIS BEP-20 < $0.05 ~3 sec EVM compatible. Use this.
BNB Beacon Chain BEP-2 < $0.01 ~1 sec Legacy. Fewer exchanges.
XRP
Ripple ⚠ Requires destination tag
XRP · Ripple payment network
XRP LEDGER
⚠ XRP requires a DESTINATION TAG when sending to exchanges. Missing or wrong tag = funds lost in limbo. Always check if the recipient requires one.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
XRP Ledger ONLY XRP Native < $0.001 ~3 sec One network. Tag required for exchanges.
AVAX
Avalanche ⚠ 3 chains
AVAX · Multi-chain architecture
C-CHAINX-CHAIN
⚠ Avalanche has 3 chains: C-Chain (EVM, for most transfers), X-Chain (trading), P-Chain (staking). Most exchanges use C-Chain. Wrong chain = loss.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
C-Chain USE THIS EVM < $0.05 ~2 sec EVM compatible. Exchanges use this.
X-Chain AVAX Native < $0.01 ~1 sec Asset trading only
P-Chain AVAX Native < $0.01 ~1 sec Validators / staking only
ADA
Cardano
ADA · Layer 1 · Proof-of-stake blockchain
CARDANO
⚠ ADA only travels on the Cardano network. Addresses start with "addr1". Never send to an Ethereum or Bitcoin address.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Cardano Mainnet ONLY Native ~ $0.15 ~20 sec One network only
LINK
Chainlink
LINK · DeFi oracle network token
ETHPOLYGON
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Ethereum PRIMARY ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec Original LINK token
BNB Smart Chain BEP-20 < $0.05 ~3 sec Bridged version
Polygon ERC-20 < $0.01 ~2 sec
DOT
Polkadot
DOT · Layer 0 · Parachain ecosystem
POLKADOT
⚠ DOT addresses use SS58 format (start with 1). They are incompatible with Ethereum or Bitcoin addresses.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Polkadot Relay Chain NATIVE Native ~ $0.10 ~6 sec Only official network
ATOM
Cosmos ⚠ Requires memo
ATOM · Layer 1 · Internet of blockchains
COSMOS
⚠ Many exchanges require a MEMO when depositing ATOM. Sending without a required memo means funds may not be credited to your account.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Cosmos Hub NATIVE IBC < $0.01 ~6 sec Memo may be required by exchanges
TRX
TRON
TRX · Layer 1 · TRON network native coin
TRON
⚠ TRX is the native gas token of the TRON network. Addresses start with 'T'. Not compatible with Ethereum addresses.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
TRON Mainnet NATIVE Native < $0.01 ~3 sec Only official network
DOGE
Dogecoin
DOGE · Layer 1 · Proof-of-Work meme coin
DOGECOIN
⚠ Dogecoin runs on its own blockchain. DOGE addresses start with 'D'. BSC-pegged DOGE on BNB Smart Chain is a wrapped token — NOT native Dogecoin.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Dogecoin Mainnet NATIVE Native L1 ~ $0.01 ~1 min Only official network
BNB Smart Chain BEP-20 < $0.05 ~3 sec Bridged (pegged) version
Ethereum ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec Wrapped DOGE token
LTC
Litecoin
LTC · Layer 1 · Bitcoin fork — faster + cheaper
LITECOIN
⚠ Litecoin runs on its own blockchain. LTC addresses start with 'L' or 'M'. Never send LTC to a Bitcoin address — completely different chains.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Litecoin Mainnet NATIVE Native L1 ~ $0.01 ~2.5 min Only official network
XLM
Stellar ⚠ Requires memo
XLM · Layer 1 · Stellar payment network
STELLAR
⚠ XLM requires a MEMO when sending to exchanges. Missing or wrong memo = funds lost in limbo. Always check if the recipient requires one.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Stellar Mainnet NATIVE Native < $0.001 ~4 sec Memo required for exchanges
DAI
Dai Stablecoin
DAI · Stablecoin · $1.00 peg · MakerDAO issued
ETHPOLYGONARB
⚠ DAI exists on 10+ chains. Native DAI (Ethereum) is MakerDAO-issued. Bridged DAI on other chains may have different risk profiles. Confirm the version your recipient supports.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Ethereum PRIMARY ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec Original/native DAI
Polygon ERC-20 < $0.01 ~2 sec Bridged via Polygon PoS
Arbitrum ERC-20 < $0.05 ~1 sec Bridged DAI
Optimism ERC-20 < $0.05 ~1 sec Bridged DAI
Gnosis Chain ERC-20 < $0.01 ~5 sec Bridged xDAI
POL
Polygon
POL · Native gas token of Polygon PoS (replaced MATIC)
POLYGONETH
⚠ POL replaced MATIC as Polygon's gas token in Sept 2024. Both may appear on exchanges. Addresses start with '0x'. Only works on EVM-compatible wallets.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Polygon PoS NATIVE Native < $0.01 ~2 sec Primary network
Ethereum ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec POL as ERC-20 token
ARB
Arbitrum
ARB · Layer 2 governance token
ARBITRUMETH
⚠ ARB is Arbitrum's governance token. It's an ERC-20 on Ethereum but also used natively on Arbitrum One. Always check which network you're withdrawing to.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Arbitrum One NATIVE Native < $0.05 ~1 sec Native governance token
Ethereum ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec ARB as ERC-20 token
OP
Optimism
OP · Layer 2 governance token
OPTIMISMETH
⚠ OP is Optimism's governance token. It's an ERC-20 on Ethereum but also used natively on Optimism. Always confirm which network you're sending to.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Optimism NATIVE Native < $0.05 ~1 sec Native governance token
Ethereum ERC-20 $5–$40 ~15 sec OP as ERC-20 token
TON
Toncoin
TON · Layer 1 · The Open Network (Telegram)
TON
⚠ TON uses its own address format (non-EVM). Addresses start with 'EQ' or 'UQ'. Not compatible with Ethereum wallets. Growing fast with Telegram integration.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
TON Mainnet NATIVE Native ~ $0.05 ~5 sec Only official network
SUI
Sui
SUI · Layer 1 · High-speed Move-based blockchain
SUI
⚠ SUI uses its own address format (starts with '0x' but is NOT EVM). Only send to Sui wallets — not Ethereum, not Solana. Growing Move ecosystem.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Sui Mainnet NATIVE Native < $0.01 Instant Only official network
NEAR
NEAR Protocol
NEAR · Layer 1 · Sharded proof-of-stake
NEAR
⚠ NEAR uses its own account system — readable names (e.g., alice.near) not hex addresses. Never send NEAR to an Ethereum or Solana address.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
NEAR Mainnet NATIVE Native < $0.01 ~1 sec Only official network
ALGO
Algorand
ALGO · Layer 1 · Pure Proof-of-Stake
ALGORAND
⚠ ALGO uses its own address format (58 characters, alphanumeric). Not EVM-compatible. Never send ALGO to an Ethereum or Bitcoin address.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Algorand Mainnet NATIVE Native < $0.001 ~4 sec Only official network
HBAR
Hedera ⚠ Requires memo
HBAR · Layer 1 · Hedera Hashgraph
HEDERA
⚠ HBAR uses its own address format (0.0.xxxxx). Some exchanges require a MEMO when depositing. Not EVM or Solana compatible.
NetworkStandardFeeSpeedNotes
Hedera Mainnet NATIVE Native < $0.01 ~3 sec Memo may be required for exchanges
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The 5 Golden Rules

Memorize these before you ever send crypto.

🔍

Match BOTH sides

Sender and receiver must use the identical network. An ERC-20 USDT from Binance needs an ERC-20 USDT address — not TRC-20, not BEP-20.

🏷️

Destination Tags / Memos

XRP, ATOM, XLM, and similar coins require a Destination Tag or Memo when sending to exchanges. Missing it = funds stuck.

💸

Fees are flat, not %

Sending $10 costs the same as sending $10,000 on the same network. High-value transfers: ETH. Small transfers: TRC-20 or SOL.

⚠️

Wrapped ≠ Native

wBTC on Ethereum is NOT Bitcoin. USDC.e is NOT native USDC. Bridges change the form of the asset.

🧪

Always test first

New recipient? Send $1 first. Confirm it arrives. Then send the rest. Takes 2 minutes and could save your life savings.

Network Standards Glossary

What every abbreviation on this page actually means.

🔗

ERC-20

Ethereum Request for Comments 20. The token standard on Ethereum and most EVM chains. If a token says ERC-20, it lives on Ethereum — or an Ethereum-compatible Layer 2.

⚡

TRC-20

Tron Request for Comments 20. Tron blockchain's token standard. Nearly zero fees. USDT on TRC-20 is the cheapest way to move dollars in crypto.

🟡

BEP-20

Binance Evolution Proposal 20. Token standard on BNB Smart Chain (BSC). EVM-compatible, low fees, popular on Binance and most exchanges.

◎

SPL

Solana Program Library. Token standard on Solana. Fees are fractions of a penny. USDC and native SOL both use SPL addresses.

🔗

BEP-2

Binance Chain Token. The old Binance Chain standard, now mostly replaced by BEP-20. Sending BEP-2 to a BEP-20 address = loss.

🌐

IBC

Inter-Blockchain Communication. Cosmos ecosystem standard. ATOM and Cosmos-based tokens move between chains via IBC protocol.

⛓️

L1 / L2 / Sidechain

Layer 1 = the base blockchain (Bitcoin, Ethereum). Layer 2 = built on top for speed/cost (Arbitrum, Optimism). Sidechain = separate but connected chain (Polygon PoS).

🧪

EVM

Ethereum Virtual Machine. If a chain is "EVM-compatible," it uses Ethereum-style addresses starting with 0x. Makes cross-chain transfers easier — but still not automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common crypto network mistakes — answered.

What happens if I send crypto on the wrong network?
In most cases, the funds are permanently lost. The coins arrive at an address that belongs to a wallet on a different blockchain, and there is no way to retrieve them. In rare cases where both networks are EVM-compatible (like Ethereum and Polygon), you may be able to recover funds if you control the private key of the receiving wallet — but this is complex and not guaranteed.
What is the difference between ERC-20 and TRC-20 USDT?
Both are USDT (Tether) worth ~$1, but they travel on different blockchains. ERC-20 USDT lives on Ethereum and has fees of $5–$50. TRC-20 USDT lives on the Tron blockchain and costs nearly zero to send. They are incompatible — you cannot send TRC-20 USDT to an ERC-20 address.
Why do USDT and USDC exist on so many networks?
Stablecoin issuers deploy their tokens on multiple blockchains so users can benefit from lower fees and faster speeds. The underlying dollar value is the same, but the token contract is different on each network. The issuer holds the backing reserves, while the different versions are simply smart contracts on their respective chains.
How do I know which network my exchange uses?
When you click Deposit or Withdraw on an exchange, they will show a network selector. The label tells you exactly which network standard to use. Common labels: ERC-20 (Ethereum), TRC-20 (Tron), BEP-20 (BNB Smart Chain), SOL (Solana). Always match this label on both the sending and receiving side.
What is the cheapest network to send USDT or USDC?
For USDT, TRC-20 (Tron) and Solana SPL are the cheapest — typically under $0.01. For USDC, Solana and Base (Coinbase's Layer 2) are nearly free. Avoid Ethereum mainnet for small transfers; the gas fees often cost more than the amount being sent.
Do Bitcoin addresses work on Ethereum and vice versa?
No. Bitcoin addresses start with 1, 3, or bc1. Ethereum addresses start with 0x. They are fundamentally incompatible — sending BTC to an ETH address results in permanent loss.
What is a destination tag and do I need one?
A destination tag (also called a memo) is an extra number required when sending XRP, ATOM, XLM, HBAR and similar cryptocurrencies to exchanges. Exchanges share one wallet for many users, and the tag tells them which account to credit. If you send without a required tag, funds arrive but cannot be assigned to your account. Contact exchange support immediately.
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