How to Transfer Crypto Between Exchanges Safely
Moving crypto between exchanges is routine, but the single biggest way people lose funds doing it is sending to the wrong network - for example withdrawing USDT as an ERC-20 token but depositing it as a TRC-20 address. Most exchanges cannot recover a transfer sent on the wrong network. Here's how to do it without that happening.
Step 1 - Get the Deposit Address From the Destination Exchange
Open the exchange you're sending funds to, go to its deposit page, and select the exact coin you're sending. The exchange will show you a deposit address and, separately, a network selector (sometimes called "chain" or "protocol"). Note the network - this is the part people skip.
Step 2 - Match the Network on the Sending Side
Go back to the exchange you're sending from, start a withdrawal, and when asked to choose a network, select the exact same one the destination address was issued on. Common examples: USDT exists as an ERC-20 (Ethereum), TRC-20 (Tron), and BEP-20 (BNB Chain) token, among others - these are different, incompatible rails even though the coin symbol is identical. If the destination exchange only showed you one network option for a given deposit, that's the one to match.
Step 3 - Send a Small Test Amount First
Before moving your full balance, send a small amount - enough to be worth testing, small enough that a mistake wouldn't hurt. Wait for it to actually arrive and show as available balance on the destination exchange before sending the rest. This single habit catches the overwhelming majority of network-mismatch and address-entry mistakes while they're still cheap.
Step 4 - Paste the Address, Don't Type It
Copy the deposit address directly from the destination exchange rather than retyping it. Crypto addresses are long strings with no error-correction - a single mismatched character sends funds to an address nobody controls. After pasting, check the first and last four characters against the source once before confirming.
Step 5 - Expect a Delay, Not an Instant Transfer
Withdrawals require network confirmations before the destination exchange credits them, and some exchanges add their own manual review on top of that for larger amounts or first-time withdrawals to a new address. If a transfer hasn't arrived within the window the sending exchange quoted at checkout, check that exchange's withdrawal history for the transaction status before assuming something went wrong - the funds may simply still be confirming on-chain.
Common Mistakes Table
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Wrong network selected | Funds often unrecoverable; some exchanges offer paid manual recovery, most don't |
| Address typo or wrong address copied | Funds sent to an address you don't control - unrecoverable |
| Skipping the test transfer | Any mistake above happens with your full balance instead of a small amount |
| Sending to an exchange account under a different, unverified name | Deposit can be held or rejected pending identity checks |
Check Withdrawal Fees Before You Move
Network fees for the same coin can differ meaningfully between networks - a Tron-network USDT withdrawal is typically far cheaper than an Ethereum-network one, for instance. See the withdrawal fees comparison for what each exchange in this comparison actually charges, by coin, before you pick a network on the sending side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I send crypto on the wrong network?
In most cases the funds are unrecoverable. A small number of exchanges offer paid manual recovery for specific network mismatches, but there's no guarantee, and it isn't offered for every coin or network combination. Always match networks on both sides before sending.
How much should my test transfer be?
Enough that you'd actually notice it arrive in your available balance, small enough that losing it to a mistake wouldn't matter. There's no fixed amount - it depends on how much you're planning to move overall.
Why is my transfer taking longer than expected?
Withdrawals need on-chain confirmations before the destination exchange credits them, and some exchanges add manual review for large amounts or new withdrawal addresses. Check the sending exchange's withdrawal history for the transaction status before assuming it's lost.