Solana has overtaken Tron in stablecoin holders for the first time: 14 million addresses, a new all-time high. Sounds impressive, but for anyone paying for overseas services with USDT, what matters is different — where the coin is actually accepted, how much a transfer costs, and how likely it is to get frozen along the way.

What happened

According to Crypto Briefing, the number of stablecoin-holding addresses on Solana reached 14 million — a record for the network. That means more retail users and institutions are holding stablecoins on Solana rather than Ethereum or Tron. Analysts link this to rising SOL demand and growing competition among the three main stablecoin networks.

Why this isn't a payment argument yet

Holder count is a network activity metric, not a payment acceptance metric. For paying overseas services and subscriptions, what matters is:

  • Whether the recipient accepts this exact network. Most exchangers, payment bots and P2P platforms work with TRC-20 (Tron) and BEP-20 (BNB Chain). Solana addresses are supported far less often.
  • Cost and speed of transfer. Solana fees are genuinely low, but if the recipient doesn't accept a SOL address, cheapness is useless.
  • Freeze risk. USDT is a centralized stablecoin, and the issuer can freeze an address. This happens on Solana too, and disputing it is harder than it seems.

USDT networks: what to pick for payments

If your goal is to pay for a service or cash out, focus on three networks:

  • TRC-20 (Tron). The most common for small transfers. Fees are a few dollars, accepted almost everywhere. Downside: higher concentration of tainted addresses, so freeze risk is higher.
  • BEP-20 (BNB Chain). Cheaper than Tron, widely accepted on exchanges and wallets. A good option for transfers between your own wallets and exchanges.
  • TON. Gaining traction in the Telegram ecosystem. Convenient if you pay through Telegram bots, but acceptance by external services is still limited.

Solana isn't on this list as a primary payment channel yet — too few services and exchangers accept USDT on that network directly.

How to reduce freeze risk

USDT freezes are the main headache when paying. To avoid them:

  • Don't accept large sums from unknown senders — tainted coins can arrive with the transfer.
  • Split large amounts into several transfers and don't keep everything at one address.
  • Check the recipient's address with public risk-scoring tools before sending.
  • For paying overseas services, use trusted exchangers and payment services, not random P2P listings.

Practical takeaway

Solana's record is a signal that the network is growing, but for paying overseas services and subscriptions, USDT is still more convenient in TRC-20 and BEP-20. If you plan to pay by card rather than crypto directly, it makes sense to hold USDT in these networks and convert as needed. Keep Solana in mind as a backup option for the future, but building a payment route on it today is premature.

FAQ

Which network is cheapest for USDT transfers?
BEP-20 and Solana are usually cheaper than TRC-20, but TRC-20 has wider acceptance. Count not just the fee but whether the recipient accepts your network.

Can USDT be frozen on Solana?
Yes, the issuer can freeze an address in any supported network, including Solana. The risk depends on the coin's history, not the network.

What if a service doesn't accept USDT?
Use a virtual card: convert USDT to fiat through a trusted service and pay by card where crypto isn't supported.

This material is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are volatile, and operations with them carry the risk of losing funds.

Names of services, games and franchises belong to their respective rights holders and are mentioned only to describe payment scenarios; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.

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Sources

This material is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Data and service terms may change, so check primary sources before making a payment or investment decision. Mentions of third-party brands and services do not imply official partnership, support, or endorsement by VirtCardPay.
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