GemWallet and USDT TRC-20: how TRON token usage works

GemWallet works as a multichain wallet and supports more than 100 networks, but USDT TRC-20 has its own specifics. In the TRON network, resources such as Energy and Bandwidth play a key role, not just the familiar fees paid in TRX. If you understand this resource model, you can send and receive USDT TRC-20 with almost no extra costs.

In this article, you will learn:

• how to find and add USDT TRC-20 in GemWallet and verify that the correct TRON network is selected;
• how fees work in TRON, the difference between Energy and TRX, and why a transfer can sometimes be more expensive;
• how to save on transfers using staking and energy rental without the need to constantly buy TRX.
  
  

This guide is strictly practical and focuses only on working with USDT TRC-20 in GemWallet.

For general information about wallet features, security, account recovery, and interface, see the overview article “GemWallet Review: Open-Source Wallet for 100+ Blockchains”.

First, you need to make sure that the GemWallet wallet displays the TRON network and is configured to show USDT TRC-20 as a separate token. After that, working with this asset becomes as simple as with any other token in the wallet.

Activating the USDT TRC-20 token in GemWallet

The steps are as follows:

• open the asset list in GemWallet;
• tap the add token button, usually shown as a “+” icon;
• enter USDT in the search field and wait for the list of available options;
• select USDT on the TRON network and enable the toggle to display the token in the main list.
  
  

After this, USDT TRC-20 appears among the TRON network assets, and you can work with it like a regular token.

How to distinguish TRC-20 from other networks in GemWallet

In the USDT list, several options are usually shown. It is important to:

• find the entry marked as TRON or TRC-20;
• not confuse it with USDT ERC-20 for Ethereum or USDT BEP-20 for BNB Chain;
• additionally check the address format used by GemWallet for this token.
  
  

A USDT TRC-20 address on the TRON network always starts with the letter T. If the format is different, another network is selected and the transfer may be sent to the wrong network.

Once the token is activated, you can receive USDT TRC-20 to your address. There are several important nuances here.

Steps to receive a transfer:

• open the USDT asset on the TRON network in GemWallet;
• tap the “Receive” button;
• view the displayed TRON address and QR code and share them with the sender in a convenient way.
  
  

Key points to keep in mind:

• the address must start with the letter T, which confirms that the TRON network is being used;
• the sender must explicitly select the TRON network, meaning the TRC-20 format;
• if the sender chooses ERC-20 or another network, the funds will be lost and will not appear in GemWallet.
  
  

After sending, the transaction is first recorded on the TRON blockchain and then appears in the activity section of GemWallet. The transaction hash can be copied and checked via the Tronscan explorer to see confirmations and transaction status.

Sending USDT TRC-20 in GemWallet is straightforward, but before confirming the transfer, it is useful to understand what exactly the wallet shows and how the fee is formed.

The basic steps are:

• open the USDT asset on the TRON network;
• tap the “Send” button;
• enter the recipient’s TRON address starting with T, or scan a QR code;
• specify the transfer amount;
• review the details and confirm the operation using a PIN or biometrics.
  
  

Before the final step, GemWallet shows a transfer summary. This screen displays the selected address, the amount of USDT being sent, the expected TRON network fee, and whether there are enough resources on the balance. If everything looks correct, the transfer can be confirmed.

Fees in the TRON network are structured differently from standard percentage-based transfer fees. Two resources are involved in every smart contract call.

How a USDT transfer works at the TRON level

A USDT TRC-20 transfer in GemWallet is an execution of a function in the USDT smart contract. It requires:

• Bandwidth, which is usually available on any active account;
• Energy, which is consumed to execute the smart contract code.
  
  

If the account has no Tron Energy, the wallet burns TRX from the balance to cover the deficit. An important detail: the USDT amount does not affect the cost of the operation. The network only considers how many resources are required to execute the contract.

The main fee factor: whether the recipient already has USDT

The TRON network behaves differently depending on the recipient wallet status:

• if the address has already received USDT TRC-20 and has an existing token record, the operation requires fewer resources;
• if the address is new and has never received USDT before, the first transfer creates a new token record and costs more.
  
  

That is why the fee for sending to a new wallet can be noticeably higher, even when the USDT amount is the same.

How this looks in the GemWallet interface

When preparing a transfer, GemWallet shows the expected scenario:

• the ideal case, when the sender has enough Energy and Bandwidth and the fee in TRX is close to zero;
• the common case, when there is no Energy and part of the fee is covered by burning TRX.
  
  

Approximate costs look like this:

• when sending to an empty wallet without USDT TRC-20, the network may burn about 13,37 TRX;
• when sending to an address that already holds USDT, costs decrease to around 6,77 TRX.
  
  

This burned amount is perceived as a fee, although in reality it is payment for the lack of Energy.

Sometimes, for one or two transfers, it is enough to buy a small amount of TRX directly in GemWallet. The wallet includes a built-in purchase section.

Steps to buy TRX:

• open the “Buy” section;
• select TRX on the TRON network;
• specify the amount and choose a provider from the list, such as MoonPay, Mercuryo, or Banxa;
• follow the provider’s instructions, complete the payment, and wait for TRX to be credited to your address.
  
  

This method has notable drawbacks:

• the exchange rate is usually less favorable than on exchanges;
• the provider charges its own fee and requires KYC;
• there is a minimum purchase amount, typically from $15 (Mercuryo) and from $20 with other providers.
  
  

This option works as a quick emergency top-up but becomes expensive if used regularly.

For users who frequently send USDT TRC-20, constantly buying TRX for fees becomes costly. In this case, staking and energy rental are more efficient ways to reduce transfer costs.

Method 1: staking TRX in GemWallet’s built-in system

GemWallet supports TRX staking. The process looks like this:

• open the staking section;
• select TRX and choose to receive rewards in the form of Energy;
• freeze the required amount of TRX and wait until the Energy limit becomes available.
  
  

The advantages are clear:

• staking does not require external services;
• the Energy balance replenishes and enables transfers without burning TRX.
  
  

However, the amount of Tron energy received directly depends on how much TRX is staked and requires a significant capital commitment.

The downside is also obvious. Frozen TRX cannot be quickly sold or transferred, and the standard unfreezing period is 14 days. For urgent operations, this option is not always convenient.

Method 2: renting energy via Tron Pool Energy in GemWallet

When flexibility and savings matter, it makes more sense to avoid burning TRX on every transfer and instead rent energy.

Burning TRX is expensive:

• about 131000 energy (~13,37 TRX) when sending to a new wallet without USDT;
• about 65000 energy (~6,77 TRX) when sending to an address that already has USDT.
  

A more logical solution is renting energy through the Tron Pool Energy service. For the same amount of resources, you can pay only 3–6 TRX and cover a large volume of transfers. In this model, fee savings can reach up to 65%.

Key advantages of renting energy via Tron Pool Energy include:

• security, as only a public TRON address starting with T is required and no seed phrase is needed;
• ease of setup, since you only need to specify the address and wait for the energy to be credited;
• universality, as this approach works with any non-custodial wallets, including GemWallet and Trust Wallet.
  

Additional features include:

• up to 30 different wallets can be connected from a single account;
• the ability to completely отказаться from regular TRX purchases for fees;
• 24/7 support to help resolve non-standard situations.
  

As a result, users can consistently send USDT TRC-20 without noticeable fee costs and without constantly buying TRX.

GemWallet proves to be a convenient wallet for working with USDT TRC-20 and correctly interacts with the TRON network resource model. If you configure token visibility, carefully select the correct network, and monitor Energy and Bandwidth resources, transfers are fast and predictable.

Burning TRX for every transaction is the most expensive way to pay fees. For one-off operations, hourly Tron energy purchases can be used. For regular or high-volume transfers, it is more efficient to connect Unlimited Energy or use team energy via the Tron Pool Energy service, minimizing the cost of USDT TRC-20 transfers.