TRON (TRX)
Layer 1 smart-contract platform
TRON is a delegated proof-of-stake blockchain founded by Justin Sun, with its mainnet live since 2018. It is best known as the main network for moving Tether (USDT) cheaply.
Profile last verified 23 September 2026. Live figures from CoinGecko. Not investment advice.
TRON price chart
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What is TRON?
TRON raised money in a 2017 token sale and launched its own mainnet in 2018. Blocks are produced by 27 “Super Representatives” elected by TRX holders who stake (freeze) their tokens.
Most of TRON’s activity is stablecoin transfers, especially USDT, because fees are low when users stake TRX for network resources.
Key facts
| Ticker | TRX |
|---|---|
| Type | Layer 1 smart-contract platform |
| Launched | 2018 (mainnet) |
| Consensus | Delegated proof of stake (27 elected Super Representatives) |
| Supply | No fixed cap; new TRX is issued to block producers and some fees are burned. |
| Official site | tron.network |
What TRX is used for
- Stablecoin (USDT) transfers
- Paying for network bandwidth and energy
- DeFi on TRON
Main risks
- Block production is concentrated in a small elected group
- Strong influence of its founder and related entities
- Stablecoin transfers on TRON are frequently used in scams, so be careful with unknown contacts
Related guides
TRON: frequently asked questions
- Why is USDT on TRON so popular?
- Transfers are fast and cheap compared with Ethereum, which made TRON the default network for moving USDT between exchanges and people.
- What are Super Representatives?
- The 27 block producers elected by TRX holders. They validate transactions and earn rewards, which they often share with voters.
- Do I need TRX to send USDT on TRON?
- Yes, some TRX (or staked TRX for “energy”) is needed to pay network fees, even when sending a token.