No ETH for gas? How to get it when you only have USDC

It's one of the most common traps in crypto. You have USDC in your wallet, but every transaction needs a little ETH for the network fee, and you have none. It feels like you need ETH to get ETH. You don't always.

Why you need ETH at all

On Ethereum, and on networks built on it such as Base, Arbitrum and Optimism, network fees (“gas”) are paid in ETH. That includes sending USDC and approving a token for a swap.

Option 1: swap USDC for ETH without holding ETH

The swap page runs on CoW Protocol, which works differently from a normal swap. You sign an order, and the network cost is taken out of the token you are selling. For tokens that support signed approvals, including USDC, the approval can be signed too, so you may not need any ETH to start.

Open the swap page and connect your wallet.
Pick the network your USDC is on.
Sell a small amount of USDC and receive ETH. A few dollars' worth covers many transactions on Base or Arbitrum.
If the panel asks for a separate approval transaction that needs gas, this token or route doesn't support the signed approval. Use one of the options below instead.
Sign the order. The ETH arrives in your wallet on the same network.

Option 2: withdraw ETH from an exchange on the right network

If you have an exchange account, buy a small amount of ETH and withdraw it on the network you need, for example Base. Choose the withdrawal network carefully. ETH sent on the wrong network ends up on that network. See what to do if that happens.

Option 3: ask someone to send you a little

A friend can send a small amount of ETH to your address on the right network. Your address is the same on Ethereum, Base and Arbitrum, so tell them which network.

How much ETH should you keep? On Base and other low-fee networks, a few dollars' worth usually covers many transactions. On Ethereum, fees rise and fall with demand, so keep more there.

Open the swap page

Nothing here is financial advice. Crypto transactions cannot be reversed.