From your bank to digital dollars in your wallet

First ETH, then USDC

Receiving costs you nothing. Using costs a tiny bit of ETH: every transfer, swap or deposit pays the network fee in ETH. That's why both go to Base.

Which way will you go?

Check if your bank app sends USDC and ETH to an external wallet on the Base network. If not, use an exchange.

• It has USDC. The app's own “digital dollar” won't work here.
• It sends to an external wallet. Many apps only buy and sell inside the app.
• It shows the Base network. For USDC and ETH. If you don't see Base, don't guess another network.

Banks change: always check in your app.

Pick an exchange

Global examples: check that they work in your country. No partnership and no referral link.

• Coinbase: (Withdraw on Base)
• Binance: (Base: check on screen · Arbitrum)
• Kraken: (Base: not confirmed · Arbitrum)

Checked Oct 2026. Exchanges change: check the network on the withdrawal screen.

Deposit from your bank

On the exchange: Deposit → your currency → bank transfer. Start small: US$ 10 is enough for the ETH and the USDC.

Stuck here?

The transfer bounced

The bank account must be in your name, the same as on the exchange.

It hasn't arrived yet

It can take a while, depending on your bank and country. Don't pay again.

It asked for ID and a selfie

That's the first-time check. It's normal.

Buy ETH and USDC

First about US$ 3 of ETH, for fees. Then USDC with the rest. For each one: search, enter the amount and confirm.

Stuck here?

I can't find USDC

Search for “USD Coin”. Some exchanges show it next to your local currency.

I got less than I expected

Those are the exchange's fees and markup. Check before you confirm.

There's a minimum purchase

Some exchanges have one. Raise the ETH to about US$ 5.

Withdraw both to your wallet

ETH first: it's also your test. Did it show up in MetaMask? Then the USDC. For both: Withdraw → Base network → paste your address.

Before you confirm

• I copied the address from MetaMask (didn't type it)
• I chose the Base network for both
• Small amounts, ETH first as a test

No exchange needs your recovery phrase.

Stuck here?

Base isn't listed

Withdraw both, ETH and USDC, on Arbitrum. Then, in MetaMask, switch to the Arbitrum network to see the balance.

It asks for a “memo” or “tag”

Not needed for ETH and USDC on Base. Leave it blank.

There's a minimum or a fixed fee

Check the screen before withdrawing. If it's high for your amount, compare with another exchange on the list.

Did it arrive? Let's check

Paste your wallet address. We read your USDC and ETH balances on the public network, with no signature.

Up next: Hardware wallet