How to Distinguish Binance zkSync Era Deposits from Ethereum Mainnet Deposits?
To distinguish between zkSync Era and Ethereum mainnet deposits, there are two key operational points: the network you select on the Binance deposit page is different, and the arrival speed also differs. Both chains share the same "0x" address format, so you cannot tell them apart by looking at the address alone. You must proactively confirm the correct network before depositing.
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1. Confirm the network option on the Binance deposit page
Objective: Go to the Binance ETH or USDC deposit page, find and select the correct network from the network drop-down menu.
Steps:
- Log in to the Binance app or website, go to [Wallet] - [Deposit].
- Search for the coin you want to deposit (ETH or USDC).
- Key step: In the network list, distinguish between these two options:
- Ethereum (ERC20): i.e., Ethereum mainnet
- zkSync Era: i.e., zkSync Era Layer 2 network
Binance completed integration and opened ETH deposits and withdrawals on the zkSync Era network in September 2023, and USDC integration in October 2024. Both networks support deposits, but you must manually select the correct one.
Completion standard: You clearly know whether the deposit page is currently set to "zkSync Era" or "Ethereum (ERC20)", and you have copied the corresponding deposit address.
Prerequisite: Your Binance account has completed KYC verification.
Common failure reason: You only recorded the address but not the network. Both zkSync Era and Ethereum mainnet addresses begin with "0x" and have the same length; you cannot tell them apart by looking. It is recommended to record the address and network together and save them separately.
2. Confirm the network selection on the sending platform
Objective: On the wallet or exchange from which you are initiating the transfer, ensure that the withdrawal network selected matches the network selected on the Binance deposit page.
How to do it:
Case A: Withdrawing from another exchange. Go to the withdrawal page, select ETH or USDC, and check the network drop-down menu:
- If you select "Ethereum (ERC20)", Binance must also be ERC20.
- If you select "zkSync Era", Binance must also be zkSync Era.
Some users have accidentally chosen the wrong network when withdrawing. As a result, the funds arrived as assets on the corresponding chain and could not be used for a specific airdrop project, forcing them to transfer back and waste fees and time.
Case B: Sending from an on-chain wallet. Open your wallet and confirm the current network:
- If it is Ethereum Mainnet, it corresponds to ERC20.
- If it is zkSync Era Mainnet, it corresponds to zkSync Era.
Completion standard: The network selected on the sending platform and the network selected on the Binance deposit page are exactly the same.
Prerequisite: You can log in to the sending platform and view network options.
Common failure reason: The sending platform defaults to the Ethereum network, but you copied a zkSync Era address from Binance. The networks on both sides do not match. Funds will go to the same address on the wrong network, and Binance may not support deposits on that chain.
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3. Difference in arrival time
Objective: Understand the expected arrival time based on the chosen network to avoid repeatedly refreshing during a normal waiting period.
Reference:
| Network | Arrival time | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum mainnet (ERC20) | About 10–30 minutes | Requires 12–20 block confirmations |
| zkSync Era | About 24 hours | Due to the finality mechanism, transactions need longer to be finalized |
Binance has stated clearly in multiple official announcements: because of zkSync Era's finality mechanism, deposits on that network take 24 hours to be credited to user accounts. Some user tests also report that the arrival time for ETH deposits on zkSync Era on Binance matches the speed of the official bridge from zkSync Era to mainnet.
Completion standard: You know that zkSync Era deposits take about 24 hours to arrive, and you can use this time window to judge whether it is "still within normal waiting time" or "already overdue".
Prerequisite: The transfer has been submitted.
Common failure reason: Expecting a zkSync Era deposit to arrive in the time frame of an ERC20 deposit (30 minutes). Anticipating a 10-minute arrival on the zkSync Era network causes unnecessary anxiety.
Practical tip: Before copying the deposit address, first confirm which network is selected in the network drop-down menu on the Binance deposit page. Then go to the sending platform and confirm that the same network is selected. Only submit when both sides match. If you are using zkSync Era, keep the "24-hour arrival" expectation in mind after submitting, and check your account after 24 hours. There is no need to repeatedly refresh before that.
