How to Convert Ethereum Tokens Before Donating
Thousands of tokens run on Ethereum and its layer 2 networks, from LINK and UNI to SHIB and PEPE. We accept ETH and USDC on Ethereum, so other tokens need to be swapped first. This guide covers the three ways to do it, how to move ETH or USDC from a layer 2 network back to Ethereum, and the scams that target people swapping tokens.
By Global Relief Group · Last updated:
If your token is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, or sits on a layer 2 network such as Base, Arbitrum or Optimism, it can usually be swapped for ETH or USDC in a few minutes. The main decisions are where to swap, how to get the result onto Ethereum, and how to avoid the traps that come with token swaps.
Where to swap
On an exchange
If an exchange lists your token, deposit it on the network it is on now, sell it for ETH or USDC, and withdraw on the Ethereum network to our address. Fees are predictable, and you avoid most smart-contract risks.
Inside your wallet
MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Exodus and others have built-in swaps that route your trade through third-party providers. MetaMask charges a 0.875% fee on swaps, shown in the quote. Exodus says its providers’ spreads can at times be higher than an exchange’s. Compare the amount you will receive, not just the headline fee.
On a decentralized exchange
Decentralized exchanges such as Uniswap let you swap directly from your wallet. Uniswap Labs stopped charging its own interface fee in December 2025, but you still pay the pool’s trading fee, network fees and the price impact of your trade. Before the swap, your wallet will ask you to approve the token; see the traps below.
Bringing ETH or USDC back from a layer 2
ETH or USDC on Base, Arbitrum or Optimism isn’t on Ethereum itself, even though it uses the same 0x address. To donate it, move it to Ethereum mainnet first:
| Route | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Through an exchange | Minutes | Deposit on the layer 2 network, withdraw on Ethereum |
| Circle’s CCTP (USDC only) | Seconds to about 20 minutes | Genuine USDC is burned on one network and minted on Ethereum |
| Native bridge withdrawal | About 7 days on OP Mainnet, 6.4 days on Arbitrum, 1 to 5 days on Base | Needs one or two extra transactions on Ethereum (and ETH for their fees) to prove and claim |
| Third-party bridges | Minutes | Faster, but you rely on the bridge’s smart contracts; use only well-known ones |
Our guide to stablecoins on the wrong network covers USDC in more detail.
Wrapped bitcoin isn’t bitcoin
WBTC, cbBTC and BTCB are tokens on Ethereum, Base or BNB Smart Chain that track bitcoin’s price. They can’t be sent to a Bitcoin address. Coinbase says cbBTC deposited to a Coinbase account is unwrapped and credited as BTC, if you deposit it on a network Coinbase supports for cbBTC; for WBTC and BTCB, the usual route is to sell or swap them for BTC on an exchange that lists them, then withdraw on the Bitcoin network. Our Bitcoin guide covers sending.
Traps to avoid when swapping tokens
- Unlimited approvals. To swap a token on a decentralized exchange, you first approve a contract to spend it. Many apps ask for unlimited approval by default. If that contract is ever compromised, or the site was fake, your tokens can be taken later. Approve only the amount you are swapping where your wallet allows it, and revoke old approvals with a trusted tool.
- Signature phishing. Some fake sites ask you to “sign” a message that actually gives away your tokens. Genuine swap sites sometimes ask for a signature that lets them spend a set amount of one token. Check that you are on the real site, and that the token, amount and spender match the swap you are making. Never sign a request you don’t understand.
- Fake tokens. Scammers create tokens with the same name and ticker as real ones and airdrop them into wallets. A token you didn’t buy is likely fake; don’t try to swap it, and don’t visit sites it points to.
- Price impact. Small or little-traded tokens can lose a lot of value in a single swap because there isn’t enough trading to absorb it. Check the amount you will receive and the “price impact” figure before confirming.
- Front-running. On busy networks, bots can trade just ahead of you to profit from your swap. MetaMask’s Smart Transactions, on by default, reduce this risk on Ethereum and some other networks, though no tool can rule it out.
Common questions
Should I swap to ETH or USDC?
Either works. USDC holds a steady dollar value between your swap and your donation; ETH can move in price. Both need some ETH for the network fee when you send from your own wallet.
My token isn’t on any exchange. What can I do?
If a decentralized exchange shows a meaningful amount of trading for it, you can swap there, watching the price impact. If there is almost no trading, the token may be impossible to sell at a fair price, and it is probably better not to try.
Is swapping tokens taxable?
For US donors, yes: swapping one token for another is a disposal of the first token. Our page on swapping versus donating directly explains what that means for your deduction.