Before you send a stablecoin payment, check that both sides use the same network. Check that they use the same token too. The token name alone is not enough. USDC on one network is not the same as USDC on another.
In short
- The sender and the recipient must use the same token on the same network.
- Get the network, the token and the address from the person you are paying. Don’t guess from an old payment.
- Some networks use addresses that look alike. A valid address does not prove the network is right.
- If the recipient can’t take the network you planned, stop and agree on a different one with them first.
- For a new recipient, a new network or a big amount, send a small test payment first.
What should you check before choosing a network?
Run through this checklist before you approve a payment.
- Ask the recipient which network they can receive on. Get it from their receiving instructions or their payment profile. Don’t assume it from the token name.
- Check the exact token. Make sure the recipient can take that token on that network. Two tokens can share a name and still be different.
- Check the address on that network. An address can look right and still belong to a different network.
- Ask about any memo, tag or minimum amount. Some recipients need extra details or a minimum before they can credit a payment.
- Ask what a successful payment looks like for them. “Sent” from your side is not the same as “credited” on their side.
- Write down what you approved. Keep the network, the token, the address, the amount, the payment reference and the invoice together.
Stop before you send if the network or the token is unclear.
Why this matters
A payment goes through a few steps. It is sent. It is confirmed. The recipient credits it. Then your team marks the invoice as paid. Each step is different. Our guide on matching stablecoin receipts to invoices covers the last step.
Bank payments and stablecoin payments also work differently. Banking services are provided by regulated providers, including Bancoli’s affiliated chartered bank. With Bancoli, you can send and receive USD by ACH, RTP and wire, to and from a US bank account. A stablecoin payment follows its own steps. Check the network and the token every time.
If you are new to paying suppliers in stablecoins, our guide to B2B stablecoin payments covers the basics.
How do the payment options compare?
| Option | Good fit when | What to check | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same network on both sides | The recipient accepts the token and network you plan to use | The network, the token, the address and any memo or tag | A familiar address format does not prove the network is right |
| A different shared network | The recipient can’t take your first choice but agrees on another | Get new written instructions and a new address | Don’t reuse an address from a different network |
| Bancoli to Bancoli | The recipient also uses Bancoli | The right Bancoli recipient | Arrives in minutes, free or nearly free |
| USD by ACH, RTP or wire | The recipient wants USD in a US bank account | The bank details and the payment reference | This is a bank payment, so the steps are different |
Check both ends before a direct payment
A direct payment needs a match at both ends. You need the right token and network to send. The recipient needs to accept that same token on that same network.
Ask for the network in writing, from the recipient’s receiving instructions. Don’t take it from an old invoice or a screenshot. Don’t guess it from the token name.
Some networks use the same address format. That means an address can pass a format check and still be wrong for the network you picked. Funds sent on the wrong network can be lost.
Before you approve, check these things:
- The recipient’s name matches the payment request.
- The token and the network match what the recipient said they accept.
- The address is the right one for that network.
- Any memo or tag the recipient needs is filled in.
- The amount, the invoice and your internal approval all match.
Same name, different token
Two tokens can use the same name and still be different. A recipient may accept one version and not the other. Ask the recipient which exact token they accept on which network. Then check that your payment matches.
If you and the recipient can’t agree on the same token and network, don’t send. Talk to them first. A refund or a payment can go on a different network only when the other person says OK first. Our guide on stablecoin refunds explains how to handle that with a customer.
Why the right network depends on who you pay
There is no one network that suits every payment. The right choice depends on what you and the recipient can both support. Look at these points:
- What the recipient accepts. They may take only some networks or tokens.
- What you can send. Your wallet may support only some networks.
- How you will pay out. Some recipients want the money moved into a bank account or local currency later.
- Extra details. Some recipients need a memo, a tag or a minimum amount.
- Your records. Check what you can record for the payment and how it matches the invoice.
- Who approves. The person who prepares a payment may not be the person who approves it.
Connect the incoming payment to the supplier payout
Some teams receive stablecoins from customers and pay suppliers from the same balance. Smart USD is your eligible USDC, USDi and USDT shown as one dollar balance. You control your funds. Bancoli does not own or control them. Smart USD is not a deposit and is not FDIC-insured.
When a supplier needs local currency, your USD is converted when the payout is sent. Bancoli offers free FX in 25+ currencies. You don’t need to hold other currencies first.
Before you rely on that flow, check that your plan and account can use it. Also check that a route is open for the payout you need. The dashboard shows what is turned on for you.
Who should approve the payment?
Decide who sets up a payment and who approves it before money moves. In a Smart USD Wallet, only people with wallet access can approve payments. Wallet access uses at least two social logins from Google, Apple, X or Telegram, chosen when you set up the wallet. Each approval uses MFA or a passkey.
For a new recipient, a new network or a big amount, start small:
- Send a small test payment first.
- Ask the recipient to confirm it arrived and was credited.
- Save the payment reference with the invoice.
- Write down any mismatch before you send the rest.
Can the same address work on another network?
Not safely. Some networks use addresses that look the same. Use the address the recipient gave you for the exact network they named.
Does the token name tell you the network?
No. One token name can exist on more than one network. Always confirm the network as a separate detail.
What if the recipient can’t take your network?
Stop and agree on a network you both support. Get new instructions in writing before you send.
FAQ
How do I choose the right network for a stablecoin payment?
Ask the recipient which networks and tokens they can receive. Pick one you can also send on. Then check the address for that network before you approve.
Is it OK to send USDC on any network that shows the same address?
No. A matching address format does not mean the recipient can take the payment. The network has to be one the recipient accepts for that token.
What if the token name is the same but the network is different?
Treat it as a different payment route. Confirm the network, the address and the token before you send.
Is a test payment always needed?
Not always. It is a good idea for a new recipient, a new network or a big amount. It is also smart after any change to the payment details.
What if I need to refund a customer on a different network?
Ask the customer first. Only send on a different network once they say OK. Our guide on stablecoin refunds walks through it.
Does Bancoli own the funds in my Smart USD Wallet?
No. You control your funds. Bancoli does not own or control them. Smart USD is not a deposit and is not FDIC-insured.
One last thing
Before your next stablecoin payment, check one recent payment from start to finish. Look at how the network was chosen, who checked the address, how it was approved and how the recipient confirmed it. If any step was skipped, add it to your checklist.
Ready to see how it works? Take a look at the Smart USD Wallet.