The question of balance replenishment is one of the most common among beginners. Many get lost at the start when they see a variety of deposit options. I will break down the key methods that currently work stably and with minimal fees.

Bank Transfers and P2P Transactions

The simplest path for CIS residents is P2P trading. You buy USDT or BTC directly from another exchange user. The platform acts as a transaction guarantor: it locks the seller's coins until your transfer is confirmed. The fee here is minimal — 0–0.5%, and the speed depends on the bank. For large amounts, it is better to use bank transfers (SEPA for Europe or SWIFT), but be prepared for a 1–3% fee and a wait of 1–3 business days.

Cryptocurrency Deposits

If you already have a wallet (e.g., MetaMask or Trust Wallet), depositing via cryptocurrency is the fastest and cheapest method. You transfer USDT (TRC-20 network) or BTC, and the funds arrive in 5–15 minutes. Important: always check the network. An error in choosing the network (e.g., sending ERC-20 instead of TRC-20) can lead to loss of funds. I recommend using TRC-20 for USDT — the fee is $0.5–1, and the speed is high.

Plastic Cards and E-Wallets

Direct linking of Visa/Mastercard cards does not work on all exchanges. The best options are Binance (supports most cards) and Bybit (via AdvCash or Payeer). The fee is usually 1.5–2%, but there are amount limits. For everyday purchases of $100–500, this is an ideal option. E-wallets (WebMoney, QIWI) are gradually fading away, but are still relevant on some platforms.

My Recommendations

For frequent small-amount deposits (up to $1000), use P2P. For large deposits, use cryptocurrency transfers via TRC-20. Avoid SWIFT unless absolutely necessary — it is too slow and expensive. Always check the minimum deposit amount: on some exchanges it is $10–20, while on others it is $100.

Expert Comment: The market is moving towards unification — soon most exchanges will switch to instant P2P settlements with zero fees. I already advise keeping a small reserve of USDT on a cold wallet to avoid dependence on bank transfers during periods of high volatility.