Ethereum network guide for ETH and ERC-20 exchanges
Ethereum mainnet uses ETH for transaction fees and 0x accounts for native ETH and tokens. The same address format appears on many EVM chains, so the chain label must be checked separately.
Reviewed September 1, 2026 · Primary source linked below
Native fee asset
ETH
Asset model
ETH, ERC-20 and smart contracts
Network identity
Ethereum is the settlement layer for native ETH and smart-contract assets such as ERC-20 tokens. A wallet account can hold both, but token balances are defined by contracts and are not interchangeable with ETH.
Address rules
Externally owned accounts and contracts use 20-byte addresses displayed with a 0x prefix. Mixed-case checksums can help detect typing errors, but a syntactically valid address does not reveal which EVM network the user intended.
Fee mechanism
Transactions pay gas in ETH. The total depends on gas used and the network fee settings selected by the wallet. Sending an ERC-20 token still requires ETH because the wallet calls the token contract.
Settlement
Ethereum blocks arrive regularly, but provider acceptance depends on its confirmation and finality policy. A transaction hash can be visible while the exchange still waits for the required block depth.
Memo or tag
Standard Ethereum transfers do not use a destination tag. If a custodial service asks for extra data, follow that service’s exact deposit flow rather than inventing a memo field.
Tokens and representations
A token ticker is not a contract address. Two contracts can use similar names, and bridged tokens can differ from native issuance. The exchange asset, chain and token identity must all match.
MOST COMMON ROUTE ERROR
What usually goes wrong
Users often see the same 0x address on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain or an L2 and assume the deposit will be detected everywhere. Chains maintain separate ledgers even when wallet keys derive the same address.
CONCRETE EXCHANGE EXAMPLE
Follow both legs of the route
For USDT ERC-20 to native ETH, both sides use Ethereum mainnet and 0x addresses. The source wallet needs ETH to send the token, while the payout is native ETH rather than another ERC-20 contract balance.
BEFORE YOU SEND
Ethereum checklist
- Confirm Ethereum mainnet, not an L2 or another EVM chain.
- Match the asset or token contract expected by the destination.
- Keep ETH for gas when sending an ERC-20 token.
- Review the transaction hash on an Ethereum explorer.
ETHEREUM FAQ
Network-specific answers
Does an ERC-20 transfer use ETH?
The token amount remains in the token, while the wallet normally pays Ethereum gas in ETH.
Is ETH on Base the same route as ETH on Ethereum?
No. Base is a separate layer-2 network with its own transaction history and deposit route, even though it uses ETH for gas.
Can an Ethereum address receive every ERC-20 token?
The address can exist, but the receiving wallet or service must support and detect the exact token contract before it should be used.
CONNECTED REFERENCE PAGES