What is a blockchain network fee (gas)?
A blockchain network fee, called gas on Ethereum, is the charge paid to a blockchain to process a transfer. It is paid in the chain's own token, such as ether (ETH) on Ethereum or TRX on Tron, not in the stablecoin being sent, and it rises and falls with demand. Example, from ethereum.org: a plain ETH transfer uses 21,000 units of gas. At a base fee of 10 gwei and a tip of 2 gwei, the fee is 21,000 x 12 = 252,000 gwei, or 0.000252 ETH.
- Network fees are paid in the blockchain's own token, so a wallet sending USDC or USDT also needs a balance of that token.
- On Ethereum the fee is gas used multiplied by the base fee plus a priority fee; the base fee is burned and the tip goes to the validator.
- One gwei is one-billionth of an ether.
- On Tron every transaction uses Bandwidth, and smart contract calls such as token transfers also use Energy, which has no free quota.
- When staked resources do not cover the cost, Tron burns TRX to pay for it.
How network fees work
Ethereum. Every operation uses units of gas. The fee is the units used multiplied by the base fee plus a priority fee, or tip. The protocol sets the base fee from demand in previous blocks, raising or lowering it by up to 12.5% per block, and burns it; the tip goes to the validator that includes the transaction.
Tron. Tron meters resources instead. Bandwidth pays for the size of a transaction, and each activated account gets 600 free Bandwidth. Energy pays for smart contract execution and has no free quota: accounts stake TRX to obtain it or the network burns TRX to cover the cost. USDT on Tron is a TRC20 smart contract token, so its transfers use Energy.
| Point | Ethereum | Tron |
|---|---|---|
| Fee paid in | ETH (quoted in gwei) | TRX, or staked resources |
| What is metered | Gas units for each operation | Bandwidth (transaction size) and Energy (contract execution) |
| Free allowance | None | 600 Bandwidth per activated account; no free Energy |
| Where the fee goes | Base fee burned; tip to the validator | TRX burned when resources fall short |
Sources: ethereum.org, Gas and fees; TRON Developer Hub, Resource model; Tether, Supported protocols. As published on 29 October 2026.
Where a business meets it
The sender pays the network fee, so a business receiving USDT or USDC normally receives the full amount sent. A business that sends tokens needs the native token in each wallet it sends from, or a provider that pays the fee for it. Invoices should state that the sender pays network fees so the full invoice amount arrives.
Common mistakes
- No native token. A wallet holding only USDC on Ethereum cannot send it without ETH for gas.
- Tipping too little. ethereum.org notes a transaction paying only the base fee is unlikely to be included, because it gives validators no incentive.
- Comparing networks by token price alone. Fee mechanics differ by chain; compare the cost of the actual transfer.
- Booking fees as part of the payment. Record network fees as a separate cost.
Related terms and how Helm handles it
Fees are paid from a wallet address on a given network. Helm agrees pricing with each business in writing before the account opens, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm each payment.
Open a Helm account
USD, EUR and GBP accounts in your company's name, with a named account manager.
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What is a gas fee?
Gas is Ethereum's name for the network fee. It is the units of gas a transaction uses multiplied by the base fee plus an optional tip, paid in ether.
Why do I need ETH or TRX to send stablecoins?
Network fees are paid in the blockchain's own token, not in the stablecoin. Without ETH on Ethereum, or TRX or staked resources on Tron, a wallet cannot send USDC or USDT.
Who pays the network fee on a stablecoin payment?
The sender. The receiver gets the amount sent, so invoices should say the sender pays network fees.
How are fees calculated on Tron?
Tron charges in Bandwidth for transaction size and Energy for smart contract execution. Each account gets 600 free Bandwidth; Energy must be obtained by staking TRX, or TRX is burned to cover it.
References
- ethereum.org: Gas and fees
- TRON Developer Hub: Resource model (Bandwidth, Energy and TRON Power)
- Tether: Supported protocols and integration guidelines
This guide is general information for businesses, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and timings were checked against the sources listed on the review date and may change.