Which tokens can you transfer on the Hedera network?
HBAR, HTS tokens and Hedera NFTs can move between accounts, but an HTS token usually needs account association first and creator rules can block it.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Token creators can set KYC, freeze or pause controls that block transfers.
- ERC-20 and ERC-721 contracts on Hedera's EVM move through Hedera accounts.
- Tokens from other chains need a bridge or a wrapped version on Hedera.
Hedera reaches agreement without miners or blocks. HBAR is its native cryptocurrency, and the Hedera Token Service, or HTS, issues tokens.
Which tokens can you transfer?
On Hedera you can transfer HBAR, fungible tokens issued through HTS, and HTS NFTs. ERC-20 and ERC-721 tokens deployed on Hedera's EVM can also move through Hedera accounts.
Why account association matters
To receive a specific HTS token, a Hedera account usually must be associated with it first. Some accounts have automatic association slots, so they can receive a token without a manual step.
What token rules can block transfers?
A token creator on Hedera can set token-level controls that block transfers. These controls are part of the token's configuration, so they apply even if your wallet shows the token.
- KYC: the creator approves an account before it can receive or transfer the token.
- Freeze: the creator can freeze an account or a token balance.
- Pause: the creator can pause all transfers.
Can you transfer tokens from other chains?
Tokens from another chain are not native to Hedera. To use them on Hedera, you usually need a bridge or a wrapped version that locks or burns the original and issues a representation on Hedera.
Bridges can pause or limit transfers.
Will your wallet support the token?
Your wallet or exchange decides which Hedera tokens it lets you send and receive. A wallet may show a token balance while offering no way to transfer it.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Hedera charges network fees in HBAR for transactions, including token transfers.
No. An HTS token lives on Hedera, so an Ethereum address cannot receive it without a bridge.
The transfer usually fails because the receiving account has no association with that token.
No. HTS tokens use the Hedera Token Service and its rules. ERC-20 tokens on Hedera are smart contracts.
