ERC-20 and BEP-20 are token standards that define technical guidelines and specifications for tokens. These standards specify all methods of transactions, deposits, and withdrawals. ERC-20 and BEP-20 standardize how tokens interact with different wallets, projects, and smart contracts.

While similar in mechanism, ERC-20 is dedicated to Ethereum, and BEP-20 is dedicated to Binance Smart Chain (BSC). Each standard belongs to a different blockchain. Sending cryptocurrency to the wrong network can create issues; for instance, Ethereum sent to BSC cannot be used with Ethereum DApps and smart contracts.

What Happens if I Send a Token to the Wrong Blockchain?

Sending an ERC-20 token to BSC or a BEP-20 token to Ethereum credits the token to the same wallet address on the selected network. Your BSC and Ethereum wallet addresses are the same and can be accessed with the same private key.

For example, if you send ETH via BSC, it will become a BEP-20 token pegged to ETH on the BSC wallet address. You can find the transaction ID on BscScan.com. Similarly, if you send a BEP-20 token over the Ethereum network, you can check it on Etherscan.io.

Recovery from Wallets Supporting Both BSC and Ethereum

For wallets supporting both blockchains, finding a token should be straightforward. If you can’t find the cryptocurrency, check the toggle list for each network’s token. If the coin is not listed, you’ll need to enter a token contract in your wallet.

Using Binance Bridge

Binance Bridge is a tool for converting assets between blockchains. Connect MetaMask or your Binance Chain Wallet and select the assets to migrate. Note that BNB is required for BSC and ETH is required for Ethereum as a gas fee.

Manual Conversion

To manually convert a token, send the cryptocurrency back to Binance. The deposit network in the Binance wallet must match the blockchain on which the token is currently located. Once received, you can select the desired blockchain and return the token to your external wallet.

For example, to convert Binance-Peg ETH (BEP-20) back to ERC-20 ETH:

1. Ensure the wallet you’re sending from has BNB for gas fees.
2. On Binance’s Cryptocurrency Withdrawal page, select ETH and BEP-20 (BSC) as your deposit network. Depositing on the wrong network means Binance cannot recover your funds.
3. When ETH returns to your Binance account, select Ethereum (ETH) ERC-20 as your forwarding network and withdraw to a wallet that supports Ethereum.

Recovery from a Wallet Supporting Only BSC or Ethereum

If your wallet supports only one blockchain, you need to import the private key into a new wallet supporting both blockchains. Some wallets allow using a seed phrase instead of a private key.

Importing a Private Key

Importing a private key into another wallet gives you access to the assets associated with that key, even if you use a different wallet. Importing the private key does not send funds; it allows you to access the wallet from a different app. Note that custodial wallets do not provide a private key.

Common wallets for both blockchains include Metamask, Trust Wallet, Math Wallet, SafePal, and Token Pocket. Here’s how to use MetaMask’s Google Chrome extension to recover ETH accidentally sent to BSC:

1. Access MetaMask: Create a new wallet if you don’t have one. MetaMask is available for both iOS and Android. If you create a new account, you can import the seed phrase for your old wallet.
2. Import Account: Click the MetaMask extension pin, then your account profile in the upper right corner. Click “Import Account” and enter the private key of the wallet where you accidentally sent the cryptocurrency. Click “Import.” You can also upload a JSON file if you have one.
3. Add BSC Network: Manually add the BSC network to your MetaMask account. Click the network drop-down menu in the upper right corner and select “Custom RPC.”
4. Enter Network Details: Add the necessary details for MetaMask to access the Binance Smart Chain, including the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) URL.
5. Add Token Contract: Add the correct token contract to your MetaMask wallet. Find the token contract on BscScan. For ERC-20 tokens sent to BSC, look for “Binance-Peg Ethereum Token (ETH)” to find the token contract.
6. Select Network and Add Token: Select BSC Mainnet from the network drop-down list, click “Add Token,” and then click “Custom Token.”

By following these steps, you can recover tokens sent to the wrong blockchain and ensure they are usable on the intended network.