How to Send Money to Family and Friends Using Stablecoins: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sending money to family and friends across borders can be faster, cheaper, and more accessible with stablecoins. This guide walks you through the essentials so that you can move digital dollars safely and confidently.

Step 1: Set Up a Wallet to Hold and Send Stablecoins

Before you send stablecoins, you’ll need a crypto wallet. Think of it as your digital account for storing, sending, and receiving funds. You have two main options:

• External wallets, like MetaMask, are browser extensions or mobile apps that let you create, manage, and interact with your own crypto wallet directly.
• Embedded wallets, like those powered by Dynamic, are built right into apps you already use. There are no downloads or seed phrases required, but users still maintain full ownership of their funds and private keys.

For a full breakdown of the different wallet types and how to set one up, check out our guide on how to get started with wallets here.

Step 2: Fund Your Wallet with Stablecoins

Once your wallet is ready, you’ll need to add stablecoins like USDC or USDT so you can send them.

• If you already own stablecoins, you can send them from another wallet or exchange by copying your wallet address or scanning a QR code in the app.
• If you’re starting from scratch, you can use a fiat on-ramp (like MoonPay) to buy stablecoins with a debit card or bank account. This option is available inside most wallet apps and requires basic identity verification.

Be sure to match the correct blockchain network (for example, Ethereum or Solana) when transferring or purchasing tokens. Assets sent to the wrong address cannot be recovered.

Step 3: Get the Recipient’s Wallet Address

To send money, you’ll need the recipient’s wallet address. This is the digital destination for your funds and is represented by a long string of letters and numbers.

• Ask your family member to share their wallet address (it can be copied directly from the wallet interface) or a QR code from their app.
• Double-check that the address is on the same network as your stablecoins. For example, do not send USDC on Ethereum to a Solana wallet.

If your family member is new to wallets, send them this guide to help them choose and set one up. It is also never a bad idea to send a test transaction with less funds first.

Step 4: Send the Stablecoins

Now that everything is in place:

• Open your wallet and look for the “Send” option.
• Paste the recipient’s wallet address or scan their QR code.
• Enter the amount of stablecoins you’d like to send.
• Review network fees and confirm the transaction.

Transactions often settle within seconds to a few minutes depending on the blockchain.

Step 5: Follow Best Practices for Safety

Crypto wallets put users in full control. However, that also means they take on full responsibility. Here are some best practices for protecting your funds:

• Use strong, unique passwords for your wallet app and device.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s available.
• Never share your wallet’s recovery phrase or store it in the cloud.
• Avoid clicking unknown links or logging into fake versions of wallet apps.
• Use trusted apps and always navigate through official websites or links.