Difference between currency and chain
Before you click “Send” in your wallet, you need to understand two things:
what you’re sending and how you’re sending it. This is where beginners most often make mistakes, and yet
a few simple rules are enough.
- Currency (token / coin) is the asset itself: for example USDT, BTC, ETH.
- Chain (network) is the “road” your payment travels on: TRC20 (TRON), ERC20 (Ethereum), BEP20 (BNB Smart Chain), etc.
The same currency
can exist on multiple chains (for example USDT-TRC20 / USDT-ERC20). These variants
are not interchangeable. The address, fee, and speed differ. In some cases the address can be the same (EVM chains), but even then it’s
important to follow the exact currency/chain combination for which the casino generated the deposit address. Otherwise you could lose your entire deposit.
Basic rule: the currency and chain in your wallet must match exactly what is shown in the casino/exchange cashier.
Native token vs. tokens on chains
Before you start depositing, it helps to distinguish what the chain’s “
native” currency is and what is a
token that simply runs on that chain. This tells you exactly what pays the
fees (gas) and why casinos list multiple variants for one currency.
Native token (native coin)
This is the base currency of a given chain. It’s used to pay fees and powers all transactions on the network.
Examples: BTC on Bitcoin, ETH on Ethereum, BNB on BNB Smart Chain, TRX on TRON, SOL on Solana, ADA on Cardano, LTC on Litecoin, XRP on the XRP Ledger. If you send any token on that chain, you
need some “change” in the native currency to cover gas (e.g., on Ethereum you need a little ETH, even if you’re sending USDT-ERC20).
Tokens on chains (contract tokens)
They’re created as “applications” on an existing chain (typically in ERC-20 / BEP-20 / TRC-20 standards, etc.). These are often stablecoins (USDT, USDC), gaming tokens, or other assets.
Example: USDT-TRC20 (TRON), USDT-ERC20 (Ethereum), USDT-BEP20 (BNB). It’s always the same USDT token, but on a different chain—so it has a different address format, different fees, and different speed. Some tokens exist in a “wrapped” form (e.g., wBTC on Ethereum) so they can be used outside their original chain.
What this means for a casino deposit
- In the cashier, always select the currency + specific chain (e.g., USDT → TRC20).
- Keep a small reserve of the chain’s native currency for gas (for TRC20 → TRX).
- The same token on a different chain is not compatible with the address the casino shows you.
Bridge (connecting chains) in a nutshell
You may come across the term bridge. It’s a service that lets you
move tokens between chains (e.g., from USDT-ERC20 to USDT-TRC20). This is useful if your token is on the “wrong” chain compared to what the cashier requires.
How it’s usually done:
- via a centralized exchange (CEX)—you deposit the token on one chain and withdraw it on another;
- via decentralized bridge services—the transfer occurs without an exchange directly between chains.
What to watch for: a bridge can have
higher fees,
longer processing times, and a risk of error (wrong chain/address). For beginners it’s usually enough to withdraw from the exchange directly on the required chain, if the exchange supports it.
Best international online casinos
Most common cryptocurrencies in casinos
Most
online casinos and
sportsbooks today offer a crypto selection that covers the needs of the vast majority of players:
USDT/USDC as a stable choice,
BTC and ETH as the best-known currencies, then
LTC, BCH, DOGE for cheap transfers, and
XRP, ADA, SOL for fast confirmations. The specific options differ by chain, fees, and crediting time. In the profiles below we summarize when each currency makes practical sense.
BTC (Bitcoin)
The granddaddy of crypto and an almost
universally supported choice. Deposits usually go on-chain on the Bitcoin network, where
confirmations take longer and fees fluctuate with network load. You may encounter addresses like bc1… / 3… / 1…. Some platforms support Lightning, but it’s still a minority. BTC makes sense if you already hold it, your brand doesn’t offer anything else, or you prefer “pure” Bitcoin. Just keep in mind that
transaction speed and cost can vary.
ETH (Ethereum)
The second most well-known cryptocurrency and the
base for many tokens. Deposits are on the ERC-20 chain and the fee (gas) is paid in ETH. Confirmations are usually fast, but at peak times they can delay and make the transaction more expensive. Addresses have the 0x… format. Ethereum is a practical choice if you already use it (e.g., you’re transferring other ERC-20 tokens too) and don’t mind that
fees are typically higher than on cheaper chains.
USDT (Tether)
The most widespread stablecoin at online casinos, which
holds value at approximately 1 USDT ≈ 1 USD. It’s commonly offered on multiple chains:
TRC-20 (TRON) with low fees and fast confirmations,
BEP-20 (BNB Smart Chain) also with low costs, and
ERC-20 (Ethereum), where gas is pricier. The currency × chain must always match: send USDT-TRC20 to T… addresses, USDT-ERC20/-BEP20 to 0x…. USDT is ideal if you want a
stable balance and quick crediting without exchange-rate swings.
USDC (USD Coin)
Another popular
stablecoin pegged to USD. In i-gaming it’s often offered as
USDC-ERC20, with some brands adding other chains (e.g., BNB, and on selected brands Solana). As with USDT, you must
choose the correct chain and have gas in the chain’s native currency. USDC is a convenient choice for those who want a stable value and prefer the Ethereum ecosystem.
LTC (Litecoin)
A “lighter” variant of Bitcoin with roughly
2,5min blocks and long-term low fees. Addresses can start with ltc1… / M… / L…. In practice it’s a reliable choice when you want a
faster and cheaper on-chain transfer with a similar experience to BTC. You’ll often find it among the cheapest options for small to medium amounts.
XRP (Ripple)
Known for fast and cheap transfers on the XRP Ledger. Addresses typically start with r… and a
mandatory “destination tag” adds a short identifier so the platform can assign the payment correctly. Without the tag, the deposit may not be credited. XRP is suitable when you want a
combination of speed and low cost.
BCH (Bitcoin Cash)
A Bitcoin fork with larger blocks and
lower fees. Addresses use the CashAddr format (e.g., q…).
Confirmation speed is typically higher than BTC and costs lower, making it good for cheaper on-chain transfers where the platform offers BCH. If you want a “Bitcoin-like” experience while saving on fees, BCH is a sensible choice.
DOGE (Dogecoin)
Originally a joke coin, now a
stable “cheap and fast” option with 1min blocks and low fees. Addresses usually start with D…. Some platforms may require more confirmations than for LTC/XRP. DOGE is suitable when you want an inexpensive transfer and your brand supports it widely. Just remember it’s not a stablecoin (the value fluctuates).
ADA (Cardano)
The native currency of the Cardano chain with
low fees and a specific address format (addr1…). Confirmations are fast and transactions reliable; just keep in mind that Cardano wallets differ from the “Ethereum-style” (ERC-20). ADA makes sense if you already use it, want low costs, and your brand supports Cardano.
SOL (Solana)
The currency of the fast Solana chain with
very low fees and quick finality. Addresses are longer Base58 strings. Some platforms support deposits in SOL; others prefer tokens on Solana (e.g., USDC on SPL). SOL is an excellent choice for the
fastest possible crediting at a fraction of a cent, if your platform lists it in the cashier.
How to choose the right option for your brand
First, check what your brand actually supports. The list of currencies and chains in the cashier will often decide for you. If you want a
stable value and quick crediting, the most practical choice is usually
USDT or
USDC on
TRC-20/BEP-20. If you prefer “pure” crypto and
don’t mind price volatility, go for
BTC/ETH/LTC. Also consider costs and speed. ERC-20 is universal, but fees can be higher. TRC-20, BEP-20, or Solana are cheap and fast. Also verify minimums and withdrawal limits. Some brands have
different thresholds for different chains and require the same method for withdrawals as for the deposit.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The biggest issue is mixing up the chain (e.g., USDT-TRC20 sent to an ERC-20 address) and
a missing “destination tag/memo” for XRP/XLM. Always check that currency × chain × address match and that you’ve filled in all required identifiers. Other pitfalls include address typos and insufficient gas.
Never retype the address manually and before sending make sure you have a small amount of the native currency for the fee. Watch out for
time-limited deposit addresses (some systems may change them after a while) and for the brand’s internal rules. Crediting may
wait for the required number of confirmations or a short review. In short: follow the cashier’s instructions, copy the address, send a small amount first, track the TX ID in an explorer, and for specific currencies (XRP, etc.) don’t forget the tag/memo. This will
eliminate the vast majority of errors that would otherwise lead to delays or irreversible loss of funds.
Frequently asked questions
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