Why USDC on Base and USDT on Tron: the networks explained for business owners
A business owner does not need to understand networks — only which one to tell a client to use. Here is why Storspay holds USDC on Base and USDT on Tron, what a network fee is, and the one mistake that cannot be undone.
Read this guide in Français
The short answer. Each digital dollar lives on a network, the way a bank transfer lives on a rail. Storspay uses Base for USDC (fast, about two cents a transfer) and Tron TRC-20 for USDT (the network most of the world’s USDT already moves on). Each balance has its own address, and money sent on the wrong network cannot be recovered.
Networks are rails
A rupee transfer rides IMPS; a euro transfer rides SEPA; a digital dollar rides a network. The same USDT can exist on several networks, and they do not talk to each other — which is why the account repeats the network, in red, next to every address.
Why Base for USDC
Base is fast, final in seconds, and costs about two cents to move any amount. It is where US and European platforms increasingly settle USDC, so a client paying from one of them can send straight to your address without converting networks.
Why Tron for USDT
Most of the USDT in Africa, Asia and the Middle East already moves on Tron TRC-20 — it is what a buyer in Dubai, a supplier in Shenzhen or a trading desk in Lagos will send by default. Fees are about a dollar per transfer. Offering USDT anywhere else would give customers an asset nobody wants to send them.
The mistake that cannot be undone
USDC sent on Ethereum to a Base address, or USDT sent on Ethereum to a Tron address, cannot be credited and may be lost. Give the asset and the network in one sentence, ask the client to send a small test amount first, and never change the address in a message thread without confirming on a second channel.
How it works, in four steps
- Apply once. A verified business on a paid Storspay plan applies from the Exchange tab: a few questions about what it will trade and why, a one-time identity check for a director, the wallets it plans to use. Reply within one business day.
- Receive or convert. A client sends USDT or USDC to the address in your business name, or you convert dollars or euros from your balance at 0.75% all-in.
- Trade or hold. Keep the balance, convert between USDC and USDT at 0.25%, or trade with other verified businesses on the P2P market — taker 0.5%, makers free, settled the instant the buyer confirms.
- Cash out or send. Pay your local bank or mobile money the same business day at 2% all-in, or send to any wallet address for the network fee only.
What it costs
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| Receive USDC or USDT | Free |
| P2P market — taker | 0.5% (makers free) |
| Convert US dollars or euros ⇄ USDC or USDT | 0.75% all-in |
| Convert USDC ⇄ USDT | 0.25% |
| Send to a wallet address | Network fee only |
| Cash out to a local bank or mobile money | 2% all-in (1% · min US$2 to India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand) |
Who this is for — and who it is not for
Businesses, and a sole trader counts: every movement is a business transaction with an invoice, a contract or work delivered. Traders are welcome as businesses and should expect what the page says plainly — verified counterparties, instant settlement and a cash-out to their own business account, not the tightest spread on the internet. Personal accounts, gifts and family transfers are not what this is.
Keep your invoices and statements for your records and ask a local accountant how income in digital dollars is taxed where you live.
Read next
- Storspay Exchange — hold, convert and trade digital dollars
- Digital dollars for African businesses
- Storspay Exchange vs P2P exchange apps
- Can a freelancer hold USD, EUR, GBP or CAD?
Storspay Exchange is in early access — apply from the Exchange page. Fees and availability are as published there on the day you read this.
See your own corridor number. What your team receives, what Storspay costs, what you keep — no sign-up.
Open the calculator →