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Crypto network guide
The Sei Network, Explained
Quick answer
Sei is a Proof of Stake Layer 1 launched in August 2023 and engineered for trading: roughly 400-millisecond finality and exchange-grade infrastructure at the protocol level. Its 2024 v2 upgrade added a parallelized EVM, so Sei speaks Ethereum's 0x format alongside its native sei1 addresses.
Updated August 2026 · Reviewed by the Anytime Capital trading desk
Sei at a glance
- Launched
- 2023
- Consensus
- Proof of Stake (Twin-Turbo consensus, ~400ms finality)
- Block time
- ~0.4 seconds
- Typical transfer time
- Under 1 minute
- Typical network fee
- Under a cent – cents
- Token standard
- EVM-compatible since the 2024 v2 upgrade
- Native asset
- Sei (SEI)
Network fee: Typically under $0.01–$0.05 per transaction in 2025–2026, paid in SEI. Third-party network figures, not Anytime Capital pricing — our pricing is on the fees & limits page.
How long does a Sei transfer take?
Sei finalizes transactions in roughly 400 milliseconds — it was engineered specifically for trading workloads — so transfers are effectively instant. Exchange crediting adds the only meaningful wait.
Compare every chain on one page: how long crypto transfers take on every major network.
A chain built like an exchange
Sei's founding thesis: if most blockchain activity is trading, build the chain for trading. That meant sub-second finality (Twin-Turbo consensus at ~400ms), frequent-batch mechanics to blunt front-running, and — with 2024's v2 — a parallelized EVM that runs Ethereum contracts at Sei speeds. The result competes with Solana and Sui in raw latency.
Two address formats, one account
Sei began as a Cosmos-SDK chain (sei1… bech32 addresses) and added EVM addressing (0x…) in v2 — both formats map to the same underlying account. In practice: exchanges mostly use the 0x flow now, older Cosmos-style tooling uses sei1, and deposits via sei1 flows may require a memo. Follow whichever format the receiving platform displays, exactly.
What actually lives on Sei
Trading venues, perps, and a growing DeFi stack, with native USDC (Circle, late 2024) as the dollar leg. For a consumer, SEI the asset is the way most people touch the chain; for transfers, its speed profile matches the fastest L1s. As with all younger networks: confirm the receiving side lists the Sei network before choosing it as a rail.
Stablecoins on Sei
| Stablecoin | Standard | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} USDCUSD Coin | Native (Circle-issued) | Supported | Circle brought native USDC to Sei in late 2024 |
Sei deposits need a memo
Deposits to exchanges that use Sei's native (sei1…) addresses may require a memo, Cosmos-style, to credit your account. EVM (0x) deposit flows don't use memos. Check the deposit screen: if a memo is shown, it's mandatory.
What does a Sei address look like?
| Format | Looks like | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EVM address | 0x + 40 hex characters | The standard format since Sei v2 — what most exchanges use |
| Native address | Starts with sei1 (bech32) | The original Cosmos-style format; both map to the same account |
Buy SEI or stablecoins on Sei — the #1 place to buy crypto with a debit card, wire, Apple Pay & more
Anytime Capital is a US-based money services business with thousands of customers. Debit and credit cards from every major US bank work here, verification takes minutes, and delivery goes straight to the Sei address you choose.
- Wire transfer
- Cash in person
Digital assets are not FDIC-insured, are not bank deposits, and may lose value. Availability and limits subject to identity verification and compliance review.
Sei network questions
About SEI
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