The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has issued a warning: the $300 billion stablecoin market could face runs — mass redemptions — even if reserves are fully backed. For those using USDT to pay for foreign services, this isn't abstract news; it's a practical signal to understand how to choose a network, where to store stablecoins, and how to move them into payments quickly if things go wrong.

Why a run is possible even with full reserves

The FSB points to a structural issue: if an issuer is affiliated with other companies and holds reserves separately, redemption demand could concentrate on one entity, while moving backing across borders faces frictions. In plain terms, even if assets exist, they can't always be sold quickly to return money to everyone at once.

"For affiliated issuers with separate reserves, redemption demand could concentrate at one entity while moving backing across borders faces frictions" — from the FSB report.

This doesn't mean USDT will collapse tomorrow. But it does mean that when choosing a stablecoin for payments, you should look beyond price and fees to network liquidity and withdrawal speed.

What this changes for USDT payments: networks and fees

For everyday payments, three networks matter — TRC-20, BEP-20, and TON. Each has its own fees and speed.

  • TRC-20 (Tron) — the most popular for small transfers. Fixed fee around 1–2 USDT per transaction, though it can vary with network load. Pros: accepted almost everywhere USDT is. Cons: transfers can take minutes if the network is congested.
  • BEP-20 (BNB Chain) — lower fees, often under $0.5, but requires BNB on the wallet to pay gas. Good for those already using Binance or Trust Wallet.
  • TON — tiny fees (fractions of a cent), fast transfers. But USDT support on TON is still smaller than TRC-20, and not all exchanges and swap services accept it.

Practical tip: for paying foreign services via a VirtCardPay virtual card, TRC-20 is usually the most convenient — due to wide support and predictable fees. If you're transferring a large sum, check whether BEP-20 or TON is cheaper.

How to buy and transfer USDT without losing money

Buying USDT typically happens on an exchange (Binance, Bybit, OKX) or via P2P services. After purchase, withdraw to a non-custodial wallet (Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Tonkeeper) — this reduces the risk of exchange freezes.

Step by step:

  • Choose a withdrawal network: TRC-20, BEP-20, or TON. Make sure the recipient's wallet supports the same network.
  • Check the network fee before confirming. On TRC-20 it's fixed; on BEP-20 it depends on load.
  • Send a test amount (e.g., 1–5 USDT), confirm it arrives, then send the rest.
  • To pay via VirtCardPay, top up your card balance with USDT and convert to the needed currency inside the service.

Freeze risks and how to avoid them

USDT is a centralized stablecoin. The issuer can freeze funds on a wallet if it suspects illicit origin. This most often affects addresses linked to darknet or sanctions. To reduce risk:

  • Don't buy USDT from random people in P2P without checking the wallet's history.
  • Use reputable exchanges and swap services.
  • Don't keep all funds on one address — spread across multiple wallets.
  • For large transfers, split the sum and send from different addresses.

If a freeze does happen, recovering funds is difficult. Better to prevent than to deal with it afterward.

What to do right now

The FSB warning is no reason to panic, but it is a reason to check your chains. Make sure you know which network your USDT is on, what the withdrawal fee is, and whether you have a backup payment method if a transfer is delayed. For paying foreign services via VirtCardPay, it's enough to keep a balance with a small buffer for fees — and not to store all stablecoins in one place.

FAQ

Which USDT network is the cheapest?

By fee, TON usually wins, but it has less support. TRC-20 is a compromise between cost and availability.

Can my USDT be frozen just because I pay for services?

Risk is low if you buy USDT on a reputable exchange and don't receive funds from suspicious addresses. But it can't be fully ruled out — the issuer may block an address at law enforcement request.

What to do if a USDT transfer is stuck?

Check the transaction status on a network explorer (Tronscan, BscScan, Tonscan). If the transaction is confirmed but funds didn't arrive, contact wallet or service support. If unconfirmed, wait — the network may be congested.

Not investment advice. USDT is a centralized stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, but freeze and technical failure risks exist.

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; partner platforms are marked with a “Partner” badge.
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