Play Smart Mining: Withdraw via E-Pool L2 Polygon with Low Fees and Zero Costs

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Mining cryptocurrency has become increasingly accessible, but one persistent challenge remains: high withdrawal fees on Ethereum’s mainnet. For small-scale miners, transferring just 0.01 ETH can result in most of the earnings being eaten up by gas costs. Fortunately, Ethermine (E-pool) offers a smarter alternative — L2 Polygon (Matic) network withdrawals, which allow miners to transfer their rewards with minimal or even zero transaction fees.

This guide walks you through the complete process of withdrawing mining rewards from Ethermine to OKX using the Polygon network, converting WETH to USDT, and safely transferring funds — all while keeping fees extremely low. Whether you're new to decentralized finance or looking to optimize your mining returns, this step-by-step tutorial ensures a smooth and secure experience.

Why Use L2 Polygon for Mining Withdrawals?

The Ethereum mainnet is notorious for unpredictable and often exorbitant gas fees. When you're withdrawing small amounts — say, 0.01 ETH — paying $5–$10 in fees defeats the purpose.

Enter Polygon (formerly Matic): a Layer 2 scaling solution that drastically reduces transaction costs and speeds up transfers. Ethermine supports direct payouts to the Polygon network, meaning:

👉 Discover how low-fee blockchain networks are transforming crypto mining today.

However, many users face confusion once funds arrive as WETH on Polygon: How do you convert it? How do you get it into an exchange like OKX? Let’s break it down clearly.

Step 1: Configure Withdrawal Settings on Ethermine

Start by logging into your Ethermine account and navigating to your payout settings.

  1. Go to Payout Settings
  2. Under Network, select L2 Polygon (Matic)
  3. Connect your MetaMask wallet
  4. Switch MetaMask to the Polygon network (you may need to add it manually if not already set)
  5. Add WETH token to MetaMask for visibility
  6. Save settings

Once configured, whenever your balance hits 0.01 WETH, Ethermine will automatically send it to your wallet — with zero gas fee.

You’ll see the incoming WETH reflected in your MetaMask wallet under the Polygon network. At this point, your funds are on Polygon but still in wrapped ETH form.

Step 2: Acquire MATIC for Gas Fees

While Ethermine covers the initial transfer cost, any further interaction on the Polygon network requires MATIC for gas.

To get started:

  1. Visit the official Polygon Wallet
  2. Connect your MetaMask
  3. Click "Swap for gas token"
  4. Select ETH as the source and enter the amount of MATIC you want (e.g., 1 MATIC)
  5. Click Approve, then confirm the swap

After completion, your MetaMask will show a MATIC balance, and your WETH balance will decrease slightly due to the swap.

Now you have enough MATIC to cover multiple transactions — including swaps and transfers — at negligible cost.

👉 Learn how MATIC powers fast, affordable transactions across decentralized apps.

Step 3: Swap WETH to USDT on a DEX

Since most exchanges support USDT better than WETH, converting to a stablecoin simplifies depositing into OKX.

Use a decentralized exchange (DEX) like QuickSwap or Uniswap (Polygon version):

  1. Open QuickSwap or similar DEX supporting Polygon
  2. Connect your MetaMask wallet
  3. Select WETH → USDT (note: on Polygon, WETH appears as ETH)
  4. Enter the amount you’d like to swap
  5. Click Approve to allow the contract to access your WETH
  6. After approval, click Swap

The transaction will process quickly — usually within seconds — and cost only around 0.0077 MATIC in gas.

To view your USDT balance in MetaMask:

  1. Click the "Import Tokens" option
  2. Search for USDT on Polygon
  3. Add the correct contract address (ensure network is set to Polygon)

Your USDT balance should now appear directly in your wallet.

Step 4: Transfer USDT to OKX Exchange

Now that you hold USDT on the Polygon network, it's time to move it to OKX for trading or cashing out.

How to Find Your OKX Deposit Address

  1. Log in to your OKX account and open the app or website
  2. Navigate to Assets > Deposit
  3. Search for USDT
  4. Select Network: Polygon (or MATIC) — this is critical
  5. Copy the deposit address provided

⚠️ Never send tokens using the wrong network — doing so may result in permanent loss.

Send from MetaMask

  1. In MetaMask, select your USDT token
  2. Click Send
  3. Paste the OKX deposit address
  4. Enter the amount
  5. Confirm gas fee (paid in MATIC)
  6. Review and confirm transaction

Within minutes, your USDT will appear in your OKX wallet — ready for trading, withdrawal, or conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why can’t I withdraw directly to OKX without swapping?
A: Ethermine sends WETH directly to your wallet. Most exchanges don’t accept direct deposits of WETH unless converted or bridged properly. Converting to USDT ensures compatibility and stability.

Q: Can I use other stablecoins instead of USDT?
A: Yes, you can swap WETH for DAI or USDC on Polygon-based DEXs. However, USDT has broader support on exchanges like OKX and typically lower slippage.

Q: Is there a minimum deposit amount on OKX?
A: Yes, OKX sets minimums per asset and network. For USDT on Polygon, it’s usually around 1–5 USDT. Always check current thresholds before sending.

Q: What if I accidentally send via Ethereum mainnet?
A: If you select the wrong network during deposit, contact OKX support immediately with your transaction hash. Recovery may be possible but isn’t guaranteed.

Q: Do I need KYC to deposit USDT on OKX?
A: You can deposit without KYC, but withdrawal or trading may require identity verification depending on your region and volume.

Q: How long does it take for funds to appear on OKX?
A: Transfers on Polygon typically settle in under 2 minutes. Delays are rare but can occur during network congestion.

With this method, miners can efficiently manage small payouts without losing value to fees. The combination of L2 scaling, low-cost swaps, and cross-chain compatibility makes Polygon an ideal bridge between mining pools and centralized exchanges.

👉 See how top miners leverage Layer 2 solutions to maximize profits with minimal friction.

By following these steps — configuring Ethermine for L2 withdrawals, acquiring MATIC gas, swapping WETH to USDT, and depositing via the correct network — you ensure both security and cost-efficiency in every transaction.

Whether you're earning 0.01 ETH or scaling up operations, mastering this workflow empowers you to keep more of what you mine.

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