Using stablecoins safely
Lesson 4 of 4
By the end of this lesson you’ll be able to move a stablecoin between an exchange and a wallet without losing it, tell a native coin from a bridged copy, and say where any interest offered on a stablecoin is really coming from.
One token, many networks
“USDC” isn’t one token. On 6 November 2026 Circle’s own list showed USDC issued on 38 blockchains, and each is a separate token under a separate contract. USDC on Ethereum cannot be spent on Solana, and an address that works on one network may not work on another, even if it looks the same.
One name, a separate contract on each network.
Ordinary holders lose stablecoins this way with no scammer involved. You withdraw from an exchange, pick a network, and send to a wallet or an exchange that does not support that network.
The exchange Kraken says: “Not all misrouted crypto deposits can be recovered,” and a token sent on a network the receiving side does not list is “one of the most complex to recover due to blockchain compatibility limitations.”
If it happens, ask for recovery through the exchange’s own help pages. Exchanges rarely contact you first, so treat anyone who messages you offering help or recovery as a scammer.
1
On the receiving side, find the list of networks it accepts for that coin, and the address for the one you’ll use. If it shows a memo or tag, copy that too, because the deposit may not reach your account without it.
2
On the sending side, choose the same network by name. If it isn’t offered, stop. Save the address in your address book and compare every character.
3
Send a small amount first, above any minimum, and wait until it arrives.
4
Send the rest to the same saved address on the same network, with the same memo or tag, never to an address from your history.
Fees are paid in the network’s own coin, so you’ll need a little ether to move USDC on Ethereum.
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