Why can't I send USDT from a wallet that has USDT in it?

Because the network fee is paid in the network's own token. On Tron, a wallet with no staked or delegated energy pays by burning TRX, and the USDT itself can't pay the fee. On Solana every transaction pays its fee in SOL. Keep a small balance of that token next to the stablecoin, or use a provider that pays the fee for you.

From Who pays the gas fee on a stablecoin payment?, by . Updated .

The wider picture

The key points from the guide this answer comes from:

  1. The sender pays. Every USDT or USDC transfer pays a network fee from the sending wallet, and receiving costs nothing on the blockchain.
  2. The fee is paid in the network's own token, not in the stablecoin: ETH on Ethereum and Base, TRX on Tron, SOL on Solana. A wallet that holds only USDT can't send it without help.
  3. The fee depends on the network and the work the transfer does, not the amount. A first transfer to an address that has never held the token costs more.
  4. Someone else can pay it: a provider can sponsor the fee, and Align pays the network fee on USDC and USDT sent from an AlignPay balance.

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The full guide

The sender pays, in the network's own token: ETH, TRX, SOL, POL or AVAX, never the stablecoin. Receiving costs nothing on the blockchain, a first transfer to a new address costs more, and a provider can sponsor the fee.

Read Who pays the gas fee on a stablecoin payment?, with its sources.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and providers' terms change; check the sources in the guide and take advice on your own situation.

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