> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.utexo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started

> Transfer USDT between Ethereum and the Bitcoin RGB layer using the Utexo Mint.

<Info>
  This guide is a **UI walkthrough** for using the Utexo Mint interface. If you want to initiate a mint programmatically, see the [Mint API Reference](/product-suite/mint-api-reference) instead.
</Info>

This guide walks you through both directions of a mint transfer: locking USDT from an EVM wallet and minting it on the Bitcoin RGB layer, and burning it to unlock it again. USDT from Ethereum, Polygon PoS, Plasma and Tron is supported — under the hood, it is routed through the USDT0 / LayerZero protocol to Arbitrum before being locked and minted as RGB USDT on Bitcoin. This routing is handled transparently; from your wallet, the experience is the same regardless of which network you connect from.

For now, the only tested and available route is Arbitrum (mainnet) to Bitcoin (Utexo signet). Bitcoin mainnet is not available yet.

<Info>
  Minting is signed by the mint signer, an AWS Nitro Enclave that holds the RGB mint rights, only after it verifies your USDT0 deposit on Arbitrum. Withdrawals back to EVM require an M-of-N quorum of independent signer enclaves.
</Info>

## Prerequisites

Before initiating a transfer, ensure you have the following ready.

**EVM wallet (browser extension)**

* ETH balance to cover Arbitrum gas fees.
* USDT balance for the amount you want to mint.

**RGB wallet**

* A wallet built on an `rgb-lib` version that supports the BFA asset schema used by USDT on Bitcoin, for example [RGB Lightning Node](/rgb-lightning-node/quickstart) `v0.15.0-beta.3` or later.
* BTC balance to cover the RGB transaction fee on the Bitcoin side.

***

## Ethereum → Bitcoin (RGB): lock and mint

This direction locks USDT0 on Arbitrum and mints the same amount of RGB USDT to your RGB wallet.

### Step 1 — Enter the transfer details

On [transfer.stage.utexo.com](https://transfer.stage.utexo.com), set:

* **Send:** Blockchain – Ethereum (or Polygon PoS, Plasma or Tron), Token – USDT.
* **Receive:** Blockchain – Bitcoin (RGB), Token – USDT.

In the **Amount** field, enter the number of USDT tokens to transfer.

In the **Destination** field, paste an RGB invoice for the USDT asset, created in your RGB wallet. Make sure the wallet's BTC balance can cover the network fee.

### Step 2 — Review and confirm

After filling in the form, a **Transaction Preview** appears with:

* **You will receive** — estimated USDT amount after fees.
* **Estimated gas fee** — live Arbitrum network gas cost.
* **Mint commission** — fixed percentage fee charged by Utexo.

Click **Transfer**. The Mint prepares the mint for your invoice, then your EVM wallet prompts you through two confirmation steps:

1. **Approve token spending** — Authorises the Mint contract to spend your USDT. Click **Confirm**.
2. **Confirm the deposit** — Review the details and click **Confirm** to submit. Submit it before the prepared mint expires.

### Step 3 — Wait for USDT to arrive

The Mint tracks the mint until it completes. After your deposit is final on Arbitrum, the mint signer signs the mint and the Bitcoin transaction is broadcast. Once it confirms, the USDT appears in your RGB wallet. Settlement time depends on Bitcoin network congestion.

***

## Bitcoin (RGB) → Ethereum: burn and unlock

This direction burns RGB USDT on Bitcoin and unlocks the same amount of USDT0, less fees, on the EVM side.

<Warning>
  A burn cannot be undone. Check the amount the Mint can release before you burn, and name the EVM recipient carefully: it is committed in the burn and cannot be changed.
</Warning>

### Step 1 — Check what can be released

On [transfer.stage.utexo.com](https://transfer.stage.utexo.com), set:

* **Send:** Blockchain – Bitcoin (RGB), Token – USDT.
* **Receive:** Blockchain – Ethereum (or Polygon PoS, Plasma or Tron), Token – USDT.

Enter the amount. The Mint shows how much it can release right now. Do not burn more than that.

### Step 2 — Burn USDT in your RGB wallet

Burn the amount in your RGB wallet and name your EVM address as the burn recipient. Then export the burn consignment, the file that proves the burn.

With RGB Lightning Node, call `POST /burn` with `burn_recipient` set to your EVM address, left-padded with zeros to 32 bytes. Then call `POST /getconsignment` with the asset ID and the returned `txid`.

### Step 3 — Submit the burn consignment

Upload the burn consignment file in the Mint and click **Transfer**. You can submit it right after the burn: the release waits until the Bitcoin transaction anchoring the burn has **6 confirmations**. The amount and the recipient are read from the burn itself.

### Step 4 — Receive USDT0

After the release signers approve the release, USDT0 is sent to the EVM address you named in the burn.

***

## Fees

| Fee type | Description |
| - | - |
| **Arbitrum gas fee** | Variable; priced at live market rates at the time of signing. |
| **Mint commission** | Fixed percentage of the transferred amount, charged by Utexo. Shown in the Transaction Preview before you confirm. |
| **Bitcoin RGB fee** | Small BTC amount paid by your RGB wallet to settle the RGB transaction on-chain. |


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.