# ERC20

> The token standard of Ethereum. How CryptoLike accepts USDT and USDC on ERC20, why the payer needs ETH for gas, and how the payment page shows the network.

Source: https://cryptolike.net/glossary/erc20
Updated: 2026-09-24

The token standard of the Ethereum blockchain: a smart-contract interface that moves tokens such as USDT and USDC between Ethereum addresses, which start with "0x".

## How it works in CryptoLike

CryptoLike accepts [USDT on Ethereum (ERC20)](https://cryptolike.net/coins/usdt-erc20) and [USDC on Ethereum (ERC20)](https://cryptolike.net/coins/usdc-erc20). Each is its own asset with its own `coin_id` in `GET /v1/currencies`, `network: eth`, balance, confirmation threshold and fee — USDT on ERC20 and USDT on TRC20 are different assets. The native coin, [ETH](https://cryptolike.net/coins/ethereum), is a separate asset too.

The checkout page shows the network next to the address with the warning "Funds sent on another network cannot be recovered." The QR code holds the bare address, because wallet support for token-transfer links is inconsistent; the "open in wallet" link uses the EIP-681 form `ethereum:<contract>/transfer?address=<address>&uint256=<units>`.

Every ERC20 transfer pays gas in ETH, so the payer's wallet needs ETH even when paying in USDT or USDC. On a token payout, CryptoLike reserves the [network fee](https://cryptolike.net/glossary/network-fee) converted into the token and shows it in the estimate before you confirm.

## ERC20 or TRC20?

USDT exists on both Ethereum and TRON, and CryptoLike keeps them apart: separate addresses, balances and thresholds, and a transfer on the wrong network does not reach the payment. USDC is accepted on Ethereum only. Fees, confirmation times and wallet support are compared in [USDT TRC20 vs ERC20](https://cryptolike.net/blog/usdt-trc20-vs-erc20).