Convert

Convert your native Ethereum tokens into their chain-key equivalents on the Internet Computer — ckETH, ckUSDC, and ckUSDT. Once converted, tokens transfer in seconds with near-zero fees and can be swapped or sent to any IC address.

What is conversion?

Converting deposits your ETH or ERC-20 token into an IC minter helper contract on Ethereum. The IC minter detects the deposit and mints the equivalent ck-token directly to your IC principal — 1:1, no bridge, no custodian.

You send	You receive	Typical wait
ETH	ckETH	1–5 minutes
USDC	ckUSDC	10–30 minutes
USDT	ckUSDT	10–30 minutes

Note

Conversion is optional. Native ETH, USDC, and USDT are fully supported in the wallet for sending and receiving. Convert only when you want IC-speed transfers or access to IC DeFi.

How to convert

1. Sign in to Pybara Wallet
2. Find the ETH, USDC, or USDT balance card
3. Tap Convert
4. Enter the amount to convert
5. Review the network fee and confirm
6. The activity feed shows your conversion status

Conversion statuses

Status	Meaning
Converting…	Your Ethereum transaction has been broadcast and is waiting for on-chain confirmation
Minting…	Transaction confirmed — the IC minter is processing the deposit
Converted	ck-token has arrived in your balance
Failed	The Ethereum transaction was rejected or timed out — nothing was deducted

The wallet tracks status automatically in the background. When you reopen the app, the status updates immediately based on what arrived in your balance.

ETH gas requirement

ETH → ckETH

Gas is paid in ETH and deducted from your ETH balance. No USDC or USDT needed. The Convert form shows the estimated network fee before you confirm.

USDC or USDT → ckERC-20

ERC-20 conversions require two Ethereum transactions (approve + deposit). Both cost ETH gas. If your ETH balance is too low to cover gas, the Confirm button is disabled and a warning is shown.

Make sure you hold a small ETH balance alongside your USDC/USDT to cover gas.

Caution

Ethereum mainnet only. Conversions only work on Ethereum L1. Do not attempt to convert from Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, or any other L2 — funds sent on the wrong network cannot be recovered.

Why convert?

Pay with Pybara plugins

Pybara-powered WooCommerce stores and donation widgets only accept ck-tokens (ckETH, ckUSDC, ckUSDT). Converting is the step that unlocks your native ETH or USDC for use on any Pybara-enabled site.

Instant IC transfers

ck-tokens settle in under a second on the Internet Computer with negligible fees — no waiting for Ethereum block times. Once converted, you can also Swap them for ICP or other tokens directly in the wallet.