Swap guide
How to avoid losing crypto to a wrong-network transfer
A wrong-network transfer is easy to make and hard to undo. Use this checklist before you send, and learn what to do if something goes wrong.
Reviewed by Gurusha Chauhan, Operations lead
Sending a token on the wrong network is one of the most common ways people lose crypto. Blockchain transfers are irreversible, so prevention matters far more than any fix afterwards.
The checklist below applies whether you are making a swap on HorseRouter or sending funds anywhere else.
Checklist before you send
- Match the token and the network. USDT on Ethereum (ERC-20), BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20) and Tron (TRC-20) are different tokens.
- Check the address format. Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain addresses start with 0x, Tron addresses start with T, and Solana addresses are longer strings without a 0x prefix.
- Confirm the receiver supports the network. Some wallets and exchanges accept a token on only some networks.
- Send the exact asset stated in your swap. Do not substitute a similar token.
- Copy and paste the address, then compare the first and last characters with the original.
- Check the amount and the quote deadline. The quote is an estimate that can move within your slippage setting.
- Make sure you hold enough of the native coin to pay the network fee.
- Consider a small test transfer first if the amount is large, remembering that it still carries network fees.
Using the quote as a check
On HorseRouter, the swap summary lists the asset and network you send, the asset and network you receive and the deposit address. Use it as a final check: the network you send from in your wallet should match the network shown in the swap exactly.
If something goes wrong
- Stop and do not send further funds to try to fix it.
- Note the transaction hash, the addresses, the token and the networks involved.
- Contact the support team of the wallet, exchange or service that should have received the funds. They may be able to help in some cases, but there is no guarantee that they can.
- Be wary of anyone offering to recover lost funds for an upfront fee. Recovery services are a common scam.
- If a swap deposit is involved, track it on the status page and contact the support channel listed on the official site.
Frequently asked questions
Can a wrong-network transfer be reversed?
No. Blockchain transfers are irreversible. Recovery depends on the receiver and is often not possible.
Why is it easy to confuse Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain?
Both use addresses starting with 0x, so the address does not reveal the network. Always select the network explicitly.
Should I send a test amount first?
For large transfers it can help, but a test still costs network fees, and a deposit address for a swap should be used only as stated for that swap.
What if I sent a different token than the one in my swap?
The swap may not complete as expected. Contact the relevant support channel with your transaction details, but recovery is not certain.
Does HorseRouter hold my funds so it could return them?
No. HorseRouter is non-custodial and never holds, receives or transmits funds. Partners execute and settle each swap.