USDT (Tether) is the world’s most widely used stablecoin, pegged to the US dollar. It exists on multiple blockchains, and two of the most prominent are Ethereum (as ERC-20) and Tron (as TRC-20). This article provides a detailed overview of USDT on the Tron network, comparing it to its Ethereum counterpart, examining its benefits, costs, and current market status.
Transaction Fees
The primary advantage of TRC-20 USDT lies in its significantly lower transaction fees compared to ERC-20 USDT. Recent data (as of August 26, 2025) indicates:
- ERC-20 USDT: Fees range from $1-$5 on Layer 2 solutions (Optimism, Arbitrum) and $3-$20 on the Ethereum mainnet, depending on gas prices.
- TRC-20 USDT: Fees are approximately 13.5 TRX (around $3.38 at a TRX price of $0.25) for non-empty wallets and 27.3 TRX (around $6.83) for empty wallets, requiring 65,000-130,000 energy units.
This difference in cost is a major driver for the increasing popularity of TRC-20 USDT, especially for smaller transactions.
Speed
Tron generally offers faster transaction speeds than Ethereum, contributing to quicker USDT transfers when using the TRC-20 standard.
User Experience
Many users find the Tron network easier to navigate and use than Ethereum, particularly for those new to cryptocurrency.
The Rise of TRC-20 USDT
In 2025, Tron has become a dominant force in stablecoin payments, having processed over $80 billion in USDT. Justin Sun, founder of Tron, has even introduced a “Gas Free” feature for USDT, further reducing transaction costs.
Current Exchange Rates (as of October 29, 2025)
While exchange rates fluctuate, here’s a snapshot of recent activity:
- USDT to TRX: The exchange rate has slightly decreased over the past week (down 0.52%). Currently, 1 USDT is worth approximately 3.15 TRX (with a low of 3.08 TRX and a high of 3.15 TRX in the last 24 hours). Last month, 1 USDT was worth 2.93 TRX.
- TRX to USDT: 1 TRX is currently valued at approximately 0;32 USDT. Therefore, 5 TRX would cost around 1.61 USDT.
USDT Variations on Tron
It’s important to note that users have reported encountering different USDT balances on the Tron network. Some users have a “Tron USDT” balance and others a “Tether USD” balance. Transfers to the “Tether USD” address can incur higher fees (around $5) compared to the “Tron USDT” address (around $0.11).
Market Performance & Predictions
Analysis suggests that both TRON (TRX) and Tether (USDT) have the potential for significant price increases in the future, making the current market a potentially beneficial time for investment. Historically, Tether (USDT) has outperformed TRON (TRX) in the long term (2015-2023).
Exchanging USDT (TRC20) to TRX
There are numerous exchanges available for converting USDT (TRC20) to TRX, with over 213 vetted exchangers currently offering this service. The total reserve in these exchangers is over 3.3 billion TRX.
USDT on the Tron network (TRC-20) offers a compelling alternative to Ethereum (ERC-20) due to its lower fees, faster speeds, and user-friendly experience. As the circulating supply of USDT on Tron continues to grow, it’s likely to remain a dominant force in the stablecoin landscape.
Excellent article! The comparison of transaction fees is particularly insightful.
Clear and concise explanation of the differences. I’m new to stablecoins, and this helped me grasp the basics quickly.
The article is well-written and easy to understand. It effectively highlights the benefits of TRC-20 USDT.
The $80 billion in USDT processed on Tron is a compelling statistic. It demonstrates the network’s growing adoption.
Excellent comparison! The article clearly explains the advantages of TRC-20, especially for smaller transactions.
Well-written and easy to understand. The article successfully highlights the advantages of TRC-20 USDT.
Good article. The “Gas Free” feature mention is important. It’s a significant development for Tron and USDT usability.
Excellent overview! The fee comparison is particularly helpful. I was struggling to understand why I’d choose TRC-20 over ERC-20, and this clarifies it perfectly.
Very useful information. I appreciate the inclusion of the TRX price used for the fee calculations.
I appreciate the inclusion of current exchange rates. It makes the article more practical and relevant.
Good read. The information on transaction fees is particularly helpful for cost-conscious users.
I found the article to be very informative and well-written. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about TRC-20 USDT.
The article is clear, concise, and easy to understand. It effectively highlights the advantages of TRC-20 USDT.
Very informative and well-structured. The article provides a clear understanding of the differences between TRC-20 and ERC-20 USDT.
Excellent comparison. The article clearly explains the benefits of TRC-20, especially for smaller transactions.
Good job! The article is well-structured and provides valuable information for anyone considering using USDT.
I found the article to be very informative and helpful. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to understand the differences between TRC-20 and ERC-20 USDT.
The article is well-researched and provides a balanced perspective. I would like to see more discussion on scalability.
A comprehensive overview of TRC-20 USDT. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to understand the differences between the two standards.
A comprehensive overview of TRC-20 USDT. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about stablecoins.
Good job! The article is well-researched and provides valuable information for anyone considering using USDT.
I found the user experience section insightful. Ethereum can be intimidating for beginners.
Very informative article. The inclusion of current exchange rates is a nice touch, making it immediately practical for readers.
A solid piece. It would be helpful to include a section on the security aspects of both TRC-20 and ERC-20 USDT.
I appreciate the breakdown of transaction fees for both empty and non-empty wallets. That’s a detail often missed in these comparisons.
The speed comparison is a key factor. Faster transactions are always a plus in the crypto world.
A solid piece of writing. It would be beneficial to include a section on the potential risks associated with using TRC-20 USDT.