USDT, or Tether, is a stablecoin issued by the Tether company. It is a centralized stablecoin, meaning it is managed by Tether. The value of USDT is pegged to the US dollar, so 1 USDT is approximately equal to $1. Tether claims that USDT is always backed by reserves, allowing users to convert USDT easily without a loss in value. USDT operates on various blockchain networks, which enhances its versatility in the digital payments landscape. The primary benefit of using USDT for payments is its stable value. When someone needs to make a purchase with USDT, they don’t have to worry about losing funds due to market volatility. USDT offers a more seamless payment experience compared to traditional cryptocurrencies like BTC or ETH.
A cryptocurrency payment gateway is a tool that processes transactions made with digital currencies. It enables businesses to start accepting payments in cryptocurrencies, making it easier for consumers to use a more secure and convenient payment method. A USDT payment gateway specifically allows you to receive USDT or pay with it, depending on whether you are a business owner or a customer. NOWPayments is one of the popular gateways for USDT available in the market today. Its key features include non-custodial services and low fees, as it does not store clients’ funds and automatically makes payouts to clients’ addresses. NOWPayments charges only 0.5% per transaction, providing a cost-efficient way for customers to purchase products with USDT without incurring additional fees.
When making crypto payments with USDT, choosing the right network is essential. Since USDT is available on multiple blockchains like ERC-20, TRC-20, and BEP-20, using the wrong one could lead to losing your digital assets because your payment won’t reach the merchant. Before proceeding with your payment, it’s important to determine which blockchain the merchant is using. You can do this by asking them directly. Alternatively, checking the address might provide clues about the network. However, confirming with the merchant is always the safest approach, as some networks may share similar address formats.
Let’s examine the strengths and weaknesses of the networks supporting USDT and discover the best options for payments.
USDT on the Tron network (TRC-20) stands out as the best USDT payment option due to its impressive speed, low transaction fees, and broad adoption. Here’s why Tron is the top choice for cost-effective transactions involving USDT.
Here are the top USDT networks:
- Tron (TRC-20)
- BNB Smart Chain (BSC)
- Ethereum (ERC-20)
- Solana (SPL)
- Bitcoin (Omni Layer)
| # | USDT Network | TPS (Transaction per second) | Average Transaction Time | Fees | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 1 | Tron (TRC-20) | Up to 2000 | A few seconds | Low | Fast and cheap transactions, high liquidity, widely supported | Less decentralized than Ethereum |
| 2 | BNB Smart Chain | Up to 2000 | A few seconds | Low | Fast transactions, low fees, Ethereum compatibility | More centralized architecture |
| 3 | Ethereum (ERC-20) | ~15 | A few minutes | High | Highly secure, well-established, wide DeFi ecosystem | High gas fees, slower under load |
| 4 | Solana (SPL) | Up to 50,000 | < 1 second | Very low | Ultra-fast, low-cost transactions | Newer network, technical issues possible |
| 5 | Bitcoin (Omni Layer) | ~7 | 10 minutes | High | High security, first USDT platform | Very slow, high fees, limited support |
Tron
Tron is an open-source blockchain widely used by merchants for accepting USDT. It stands out for its speed, processing up to 2000 transactions per second. The Tron network operates on a Proof of Stake consensus, which contributes to its remarkable efficiency.
Additionally, USDT transactions on Tron are among the most cost-effective across various networks. A single USDT transaction costs no more than $1, which is significantly lower than traditional payment systems. Therefore, when choosing the best network for USDT payments, Tron appears to be a highly sensible option.
BNB Smart Chain
The Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is a network linked to Binance, the top crypto exchange globally. BSC has become popular due to its compatibility with Ethereum, but remember, you cannot send ERC-20 USDT directly to BSC without a special bridge. Always check the network you are using when making payments with stablecoins like USDT.
The primary benefit of BSC is its transaction speed. Currently, BSC can handle up to 2,000 transactions per second, allowing users seeking quick payments to send USDT rapidly through this network.
Ethereum
Ethereum is the largest smart contract blockchain, but it is not the best choice for USDT payments. This is due to network congestion, which often leads to high transaction fees and slower speeds.
While Ethereum is widely used, it is more suitable for specific use cases like interacting with DeFi protocols. If you are purchasing from a merchant that only accepts the Ethereum version of USDT, you may not face significant issues.
However, to select the best and fastest network for USDT payments in 2025, consider alternatives like TRC-20 USDT or BEP-20 USDT. These networks provide unique advantages, including cost efficiency and better speed. For cross-border payments, networks like Binance Smart Chain offer secure USDT transactions with lower fees.
Ultimately, the best network for your needs depends on factors like speed and cost, as well as network compatibility. If you are looking to set up a USDT payment gateway, exploring multiple networks will help you find the ideal solution.
Bitcoin (Omni Layer)
While Bitcoin allows users to create their own tokens, there are better solutions for smooth transactions between the Bitcoin blockchain and various altcoins. One such network is Omni Layer, which was the first to host USDT. However, the Omni version of USDT is not widely used today, though some users still hold it in their wallets. NOWPayments provides a crypto payment gateway that enables merchants to accept Omni USDT, allowing customers to pay for products with it.
Solana
Solana is a major competitor to Ethereum, often described as Ethereum on steroids. It is built to be an efficient platform for Web3 applications and other projects. With a remarkable ability to handle 50,000 transactions per second, it stands out as the fastest network in the industry.
This means that USDT transactions on Solana are completed in just seconds, and the transaction costs are usually less than one cent.
Overall, Solana is a great option for making payments with USDT. However, when deciding between networks, the choice between Ethereum and Solana will depend on your needs. While Solana is fast, USDT on Ethereum remains the top choice for many users, especially when considering exchanges like Binance or Kraken.
How to Create and Fund a USDT Wallet
If you are new to USDT and want to make a purchase with it, you need to start by setting up a crypto wallet. Simply create a wallet, fund it with USDT, and complete your first transaction.
If you already have a cryptocurrency wallet with USDT, you can skip the following steps.
- Download and install a crypto wallet app. For example, you can use a secure and user-friendly wallet like Guarda, which supports USDT on various blockchains including Solana and Tron.
- Select “Create a new wallet,” set a strong password, and download your backup key. This key is essential for recovering your wallet if you lose access. Keep it safe and private.
- After signing in, locate your preferred USDT version (Tether) from the left-side menu. You will see your wallet address, which you can use to receive tokens.
- To fund your Tether wallet, visit the Buy & Sell page on the Guarda website to exchange your preferred currency for USDT.
- Alternatively, you can use any other service that supports USDT transactions. Just enter your wallet address and complete your payment. The amount will be sent to your wallet.
NOTE: Always choose reliable providers and ensure you are using the correct network. If you want to fund your USDT wallet on the Tron network, make sure to purchase the Tron version of the token.
How to Pay for Products With USDT via NOWPayments
NOWPayments lets merchants create custom payment links and use various payment tools that allow them to accept USDT payments. As a customer, you can easily pay for your products using these tools.
Here is a simple way to use the payment link:
- Ask the merchant about the payment options available and select the USDT version you need (look for the green tag next to the token name).
- Then, the merchant will generate a payment link that you will use to send the payment to the specified invoice address.
- After the transaction is completed, the payment will be credited to the merchant’s wallet address, and you will receive your product.
Conclusion
USDT has become one of the most versatile and convenient payment methods in cryptocurrency. You can easily shop with USDT at various businesses worldwide, thanks to NOWPayments’ tools. When considering which USDT network is best and fastest for payments in 2025, the choice of network depends on your needs. For example, using USDT on Solana can offer quicker transfers, while transactions on Ethereum are widely recognized. Make sure to have your USDT wallet address ready for seamless payments.