Bitget says Bitcoin withdrawals are working again after a $387 million hack — but ETH and USDT holders will have to wait. Public data from Sept. 28 shows BTC and ETH futures activity before the scheduled 08:00 UTC Bitcoin withdrawal restart. For anyone holding stablecoins on an exchange to pay for foreign services, this is a direct reminder: access to your USDT depends not only on the network, but also on the platform itself.
What happened
After the $387 million hack, Bitget was first to restore Bitcoin withdrawals. ETH and USDT withdrawals remain paused, and the exchange hasn't given a firm timeline. Meanwhile, futures activity for BTC and ETH was recorded before the announced 08:00 UTC BTC withdrawal restart, suggesting the trading side kept running in the background.
TRC-20 vs ERC-20: why the network matters
For those paying for foreign services with USDT, the key question isn't just when withdrawals reopen — it's on which network. The difference is fundamental:
- TRC-20 (Tron) — low fees (often under a dollar) and fast transactions. Best for small USDT transfers and subscription payments.
- ERC-20 (Ethereum) — fees can be several times higher and depend on network load. Better for larger amounts or when the recipient only accepts Ethereum.
When an exchange pauses withdrawals, users are stuck: the balance is there, but you can't move it on the network you need. That's why it pays to know in advance which networks a platform supports and where you plan to send your stablecoins.
What it means in practice
If you keep USDT on an exchange to pay for foreign services later, a withdrawal pause isn't an abstract headline — it's a real problem: your payment may fail at the worst moment. The practical takeaway is simple: don't keep all your stablecoins in one place, and have a backup route for payments. Virtual cards linked to a crypto balance partly remove that dependency — you pay with a card instead of waiting for an exchange withdrawal to reopen.
What's next
Bitget promises to restore ETH and USDT withdrawals but hasn't set a date. Watch the exchange's official announcements before planning large transfers. And with any stablecoin transaction, always double-check the network — TRC-20 and ERC-20 are incompatible, and sending USDT on the wrong network can mean losing your funds.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are subject to volatility and risks, including exchange and network risks.
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