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TRC20 vs ERC20: which to choose

How they differ

TRC20 and ERC20 are both networks USDT is issued on. TRC20 runs on TRON and ERC20 on Ethereum. One USDT on each chain is a different token contract with a different address format: TRC20 addresses start with T, ERC20 addresses with 0x. You can't send directly from one chain to the other.

For U-card users, the differences come down to three things: withdrawal fees (charged by the exchange per network; ERC20 is usually noticeably more expensive than TRC20 — check what your exchange shows at the time), speed (depends on the chain's confirmations and the platform's crediting rules), and whether the platform supports it (which comes first). Solana, BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum and others are also supported by some U-cards.

Top-up chains listed by each card

The table comes from each card's official pages; always confirm on the app's deposit page.

How to choose and what to do

1. Open the deposit page in the U-card app, see which networks are supported and copy the address for one.
2. On the exchange's withdrawal page, choose exactly the same network and check the address prefix (T or 0x).
3. Compare the exchange's withdrawal fee across supported networks and pick the cheapest.
4. Check the platform's minimum top-up; amounts below it may not be credited.
5. For a new address, send a small test amount first and the rest after it arrives.

The most common mistakes

• Wrong network: choosing ERC20 on the exchange while the U-card deposit page shows a TRC20 address.
• Wrong token: sending USDC to an address that only accepts USDT, or vice versa.
• Incomplete address: typing it manually or a tampered clipboard — always check the first and last characters.
• Below the minimum: even a test transfer must exceed the platform's minimum.
• Old addresses: some platforms rotate deposit addresses, so copy a fresh one from the app each time.

Other networks

Beyond TRC20 and ERC20, KripiCard lists BNB Chain, Solana and TON; ExCards lists BEP20, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism and Avalanche; KAST lists Solana, Polygon and Arbitrum; and MetaMask Card uses Linea, Solana, Base and Monad. Fees and speed differ; pick one that both your exchange's withdrawal page and the U-card deposit page support.

Cards to look at

These three cards officially list TRON / TRC20 top-ups.

KripiCard: KripiCard is a virtual-only card platform. Publishes the bulk issuing and limits ad teams care about; the price is a 4% + 1 USD top-up fee. Issuance 5 usd; total cost at non-usd merchants 4.6%. Best for ad teams that need many virtual cards to separate accounts; not for small individual users sensitive to top-up cost. Read the full review

ExCards: ExCards is a virtual-card reseller and operator. One of the most completely documented ad cards; issuance and top-up costs are high, so it suits heavy spenders. Issuance 29 usd; total cost at non-usd merchants 7.3%–10.8%; accepts passport. Best for passport-holding ad teams that need high-limit cards; not for individuals who only want to pay for one or two AI subscriptions cheaply. Read the full review

KAST: KAST is a Visa card built around spending stablecoins. Generous limits and broad chain support, but confirm spending-side fees in the in-app preview. Accepts business docs. Best for stablecoin holders and small businesses that need high spending capacity; not for users who need frequent large ATM withdrawals. Read the full review

Related pages

• Top-up not arrived
• How to calculate total cost
• Full comparison table

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