Who can use this feature?
Customers with a verified USD Virtual Account
Sending from a US bank account
Overview
If you have a USD Iron Virtual Account, you can fund it by domestic bank transfer using ACH or Wire. If you are a business, you can additionally fund it with SWIFT or make a SWIFT payment to an individual. This article covers the difference between ACH and Wire, what to check before sending, processing times, and the most common reasons USD deposits get rejected.
ACH vs Wire — which to use
Both rails deposit USD into your Virtual Account. The difference is speed and cost:
Rail | Speed | Cost | Best for |
ACH | About 3 business days | Usually free or low-cost | Every day deposits where speed isn't critical |
Wire | Next business day | Your bank may charge a wire fee | Larger or time-sensitive deposits |
Note: USD deposits are typically held for around 3 business days after arriving to confirm the funds have cleared before conversion completes. This is standard for USD rails and applies even when the transfer itself is fast.
Before you deposit — checklist
To avoid the most common rejection reasons, confirm all of these before sending:
Your verification is complete — KYC approved and any required documents signed. See Verification requirements for Iron Virtual Accounts
Your Virtual Account is active — you should be able to view your account and routing numbers in your partner app.
You can send from your own or someone else's US bank account — USD Virtual Accounts accept third-party pay-ins, so a family member or another person can fund your account on your behalf.
You're using a bank, not a money-transfer service — some money-transfer services don't include clear sender details in the transfer Iron receives, which can cause the deposit to fail. Send from a regular bank account for a smooth transfer.
You're entering the account and routing numbers exactly as shown — a single wrong digit causes the transfer to bounce.
Where to find your account details
Your USD Virtual Account details appear in your partner app, usually in a "Top up Virtual Account" or "Add funds" section. You'll see:
Account number — your unique Virtual Account number
Routing number (ABA) — used for both ACH and domestic wires
Account type — typically checking
Tip: Save your Virtual Account as a payee in your banking app for faster future top-ups. Double-check the saved details match exactly — a transposed digit in the account or routing number will cause the transfer to fail.
Processing times
Rail | Transfer time | When your stablecoin lands |
ACH | About 3 business days | After the hold period clears (around 3 business days from arrival) |
Wire | Next business day | After the hold period clears |
Once the deposit clears, the USD is converted to your chosen stablecoin and sent to your destination wallet. Bank holidays and weekends can extend these timelines.
What happens after your deposit arrives
The USD transfer reaches Iron's banking partner
The funds are held briefly to confirm they've cleared
Iron verifies the sender details against your Virtual Account
If everything matches, the USD is converted into your selected stablecoin at the current rate
The stablecoin is sent to your destination wallet on the chain you selected
You can usually track each step in your partner app.
Common rejection reasons
If your USD deposit bounces back or is refunded, the most likely causes are:
Money-transfer service — some services don't include your name as the originator, so deposits from them can be flagged as third-party
Incorrect account or routing number — a wrong digit means the transfer can't be matched to your account and is returned
Closed or restricted sending account — if the account you sent from has been closed or frozen, the transfer will be returned by your bank
Compliance hold — additional review required (often resolves within 24–48 hours without action)
Missing or expired proof of address — your address documentation needs to be current before deposits can be accepted
Below the minimum — very small amounts won't be processed; see Virtual Accounts: Processing times, fees, and limits
Tip: For more detail on what to do when a deposit doesn't arrive, see My Virtual Account deposit hasn't arrived.
FAQs
Should I use ACH or Wire?
Should I use ACH or Wire?
Use ACH for everyday deposits where you don't mind waiting a few business days — it's usually free. Use Wire when you need the funds to arrive faster and don't mind your bank's wire fee.
Why is my deposit still being held after the transfer completed?
Why is my deposit still being held after the transfer completed?
USD deposits are held for around 3 business days after arrival to confirm the funds have fully cleared. This is normal and applies even to fast Wire transfers.
Will my bank charge me?
Will my bank charge me?
ACH is usually free or low-cost. Wires typically carry a fee set by your bank. Iron doesn't add an additional rail fee on top of what your bank charges.
Can I send USD from a bank outside the US
Can I send USD from a bank outside the US
Domestic ACH and Wire are US-based rails. International USD transfers (SWIFT) aren't supported yet but are coming soon. If your bank is outside the US, check with your partner about current options.
I sent the wrong amount or to the wrong details — what now?
I sent the wrong amount or to the wrong details — what now?
If the details were wrong, the transfer will usually bounce back to your sending bank automatically within a few business days. If it doesn't, contact support with your transaction reference.
My bank says the transfer was "returned" — what does that mean?
My bank says the transfer was "returned" — what does that mean?
This means the deposit reached Iron's banking partner but couldn't be accepted (usually for one of the reasons above) and was sent back. The funds should reappear in your sending account, though return timelines vary. If they don't, contact support with your bank's reference number.