Best way to move USDT between exchanges, TRC20 vs ERC20 vs Solana vs Polygon fees and risks

Trying to move USDT between exchanges feels simple until the last screen shows a surprise fee, or worse, the deposit never shows up because the network was wrong. USDT is “the same” ticker, but it’s not the same coin path. It’s more like the same banknote printed in different countries. In January 2026, the cheap routes are still usually Tron (TRC20), Solana (SPL), and Polygon (PoS). Ethereum (ERC20) still works everywhere, but it often costs more, and it can be slow when everyone is rushing at the same time. The 3 costs you’re paying (people mix them up) When you transfer USDT, don’t look at “fee” as one number. There are three different costs that can hit you. 1) On-chain network fee (gas) This is what the blockchain charges to move the token. On Ethereum this can jump a lot with demand. On Tron, Solana, and Polygon it’s usually tiny for a basic transfer. If you want a quick cross-chain feel for typical USDT transfer gas, check a tracker like GasFeesNow’s USDT fee comparisons. 2) Exchange withdrawal fee (the platform’s cut) This is the big one for CEX-to-CEX transfers. Many exchanges charge a flat withdrawal fee for “USDT on TRC20” or “USDT on Solana”, even if on-chain gas is close to zero. Some exchanges price closer to gas, others add a markup, and it changes by day. 3) Convert costs (only if you must swap) If Exchange A doesn’t support the network you need on Exchange B, you may swap USDT to another stablecoin (USDC), or even to a different chain token first. That adds trading fee plus spread (the buy and sell gap). Always look at the “You will receive” preview before you confirm the trade. TRC20 vs ERC20 vs Solana vs Polygon (fees, time, and what can go wrong) The numbers below are “typical ranges” seen on major exchanges around early 2026. Your exact fee is whatever your exchange shows on the withdrawal page at that moment (maintenance and dynamic fees are real). Network (USDT type) Typical on-chain fee for a basic send Typical exchange USDT withdrawal fee range Typical time to credit on a CEX Reliability and operational risks When to choose TRC20 (Tron) Very low (often pennies) ~0.8 to 2 USDT ~1 to 5 minutes Low congestion, exchange maintenance happens, wrong-network deposits are common Best default when both exchanges support TRC20, and you want cheap and boring ERC20 (Ethereum) Can be high (varies with gas) ~10 to 50+ USDT (sometimes more in peaks) ~5 to 30+ minutes (can stretch in busy periods) Congestion fee spikes, long pending times, strict confirmation policies Use when TRC20/Solana/Polygon are not supported, or when you need Ethereum-only access Solana (SPL-USDT) Very low ~0.5 to 2 USDT Seconds to a few minutes Past halt history, some exchanges require a memo, SPL token format confuses users Great when both exchanges support SPL-USDT, and you can follow memo and address rules Polygon (PoS USDT) Low ~0.1 to 1.5 USDT ~1 to 5 minutes “Polygon vs other Polygon things” confusion (PoS vs zkEVM), deposit network mismatches Good backup when TRC20 is missing, also nice when your exchange fees are low here For a separate read on the basic TRC20 vs ERC20 tradeoffs (written for normal users), this comparison is useful context: TRC-20 vs ERC-20 fees and differences. For rough timing expectations across networks, this overview is a decent reference point: USDT transfer time and confirmations by network. Network-by-network: what you should actually do in the withdrawal screen TRC20 (USDT on Tron): cheapest “default”, but mistakes are brutal TRC20 is still the usual answer when people ask the best way to move USDT between exchanges. On-chain cost is low, confirmations are quick, and many exchanges price withdrawals around 1 USDT. The main risk is boring but serious: users pick TRC20 on the sending exchange, then paste an ERC20 deposit address from the receiving exchange (or the reverse). The address formats can look similar on some platforms, and the result is stuck funds, support tickets, and weeks of email. ERC20 (USDT on Ethereum): universal, expensive when the market is loud ERC20 is the “it works almost everywhere” option. It’s also the one most likely to make you angry with fees. When Ethereum is congested, gas climbs, exchanges raise withdrawal fees, and some deposits need many confirmations before credit. If you must use ERC20, send earlier than you need, and keep extra buffer. A 10-minute plan becomes a 60-minute wait when the chain is packed. Solana (SPL-USDT): fast, cheap, but the SPL details matter Solana transfers are fast enough that people expect instant credit. That’s the trap. A CEX deposit is not only chain finality, it’s also the exchange’s own credit process, and sometimes extra confirmations. Also, Solana USDT is SPL-USDT, and some exchanges show a memo field for Solana deposits. If the deposit page shows a memo (or “note”), treat it like part of the address. Polygon (USDT on Polygon PoS): low fees, but watch the “Polygon lookalikes” Polygon PoS USDT is usually low-cost and stable for exchange transfers. The repeated mistake is picking the wrong Polygon option. Some exchanges list “Polygon (PoS)”, “Polygon zkEVM”, and even other L2 networks in the same dropdown, and new users click the first “Polygon-looking” label. If the receiving exchange says “USDT Polygon (PoS)”, then the sender must choose that exact network name, not “Ethereum”, not “Arbitrum”, not “zkEVM”. A mini-protocol for safe CEX-to-CEX USDT transfers (with test amount) If you only follow one routine, follow this one. It saves money and also saves nerves. Step 1: Open the receiving exchange deposit page first Select USDT, then select the network (TRC20, ERC20, Solana, Polygon). Copy the address and copy the memo too, if it shows one. Screenshot (text description): “Deposit USDT” page showing a Network dropdown, a big address string, a Memo/Tag field (only if required), and a warning line that says funds are lost if you use the wrong network. Step 2: Open the sending exchange withdrawal page Paste the address (and memo if required). Then choose the same network name as the receiving side. Don’t “guess” by fee, match the label. Screenshot (text description): “Withdraw USDT” page showing Address, Network selection, Withdrawal fee preview, and a final confirmation screen that repeats Address + Network + Amount. Step 3: Send a test transfer first (about $5 to $20) Wait until it credits. Don’t trust only the tx hash saying “success”, wait for the exchange balance to update. Step 4: Send the full amount Use the same saved address entry, don’t retype. If the exchange uses an address book, lock it in (and still double-check the first 4 and last 4 characters). The risks people don’t price in (but they should) Exchange maintenance windows: Even if the chain is fine, deposits can pause when the exchange disables that network. You’ll usually see a small “maintenance” note on the deposit page, so check before sending. Chain congestion or halts: Ethereum congestion is the classic one (high fees, slow confirmations). Solana has improved a lot by 2026, but short disruptions can still happen, so don’t send “last minute” money you must trade in 2 minutes. Reorg and confirmation rules: Exchanges choose their own confirmation count. Your transaction can be final on-chain, but still not credited until the exchange threshold is met. USDT blacklisting and frozen funds: Tether can freeze addresses tied to hacks, scams, or sanctions. This is not a TRC20-only thing, it can affect USDT on multiple chains. Avoid dirty funds, avoid mixers, keep your source of funds clean. Bridge risk: When moving USDT between two centralized exchanges, avoid bridges unless you have no other path. Bridging adds smart contract risk and “wrong token” risk (wrapped versions that the CEX may not accept). Compliance checks (AML, Travel Rule): Larger transfers can trigger review. Keep records, save the tx hash, take screenshots of the withdrawal confirmation, and note the time and amount. It helps when support asks, and it helps your own accounting. Best default choice in 2026 (plus what to do when TRC20 is missing) If both exchanges support it, TRC20 is still the best default for most people who want to move USDT between exchanges with low cost and low drama. Solana and Polygon are good second choices, often similar in total exchange fee, and sometimes even cheaper depending on the platform. When TRC20 is unavailable (common on some US-focused platforms), try Polygon PoS USDT first, then Solana SPL-USDT if you’re comfortable with memo rules. Use ERC20 as the last fallback, and treat it like the “pay more to be compatible” lane. Conclusion Moving USDT between exchanges is mostly a discipline problem, not a tech problem. Pick the network both sides support, separate on-chain gas from exchange withdrawal fees, then run a small test before you commit the full amount. If you do that, TRC20 is usually the calm answer in 2026, and Polygon or Solana are strong backups. The only “fast” transfer that matters is the one that arrives safely, with the correct network selected.