The transition from ICE to ION is a major ecosystem upgrade for the Ice Open Network. It is designed to unify the brand with its native Layer 1 blockchain protocol and prepare for the launch of its social ecosystem, Online+, our self-custodial environment built on the ION Framework.
The migration from ICE (on the Binance Smart Chain) to ION (the native Ice Open Network blockchain) officially began on December 17, 2025.
Since you are holding your ICE in a self-custody wallet (like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Ledger), the process is manual. You must use the official Online+ platform to bridge your tokens.
Step 1: Holding ICE in your Self-Custody Wallet
If your ICE is already in MetaMask or Trust Wallet, ensure you have the correct network and token visibility:
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Network: Binance Smart Chain (BSC).
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Token Contract: Ensure you have added the ICE contract address to your wallet to see your balance.
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Gas Fees: You must have a small amount of BNB in your wallet to pay for the transaction fee to move the tokens.
Step 2: The Migration Process (ICE → ION)
The Ice team has consolidated the migration into their official ecosystem app, Online+. Follow these steps to migrate:
1. Set up your Online+ Wallet
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Download the Online+ app (the evolved version of the ION Mainnet app).
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Create a new wallet or import your existing phrase. Important: Back up your recovery codes immediately.
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Find your ICE (BSC) deposit address within the Online+ wallet.
2. Transfer ICE to Online+
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Go to your external self-custody wallet (MetaMask/Trust Wallet).
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Select ICE and click Send.
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Paste your Online+ ICE (BSC) address.
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Confirm the transaction. Your ICE will now appear in your Online+ wallet.
3. Use the Migration Bridge (1:1 Swap)
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Inside the Online+ app, tap the “Swap” or “Migrate” button.
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Select ICE as the “From” token and ION as the “To” token.
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Enter the amount (or tap Max).
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Confirm the swap. Your ICE (BSC) will be burned, and you will receive ION tokens 1:1 on the native ION blockchain.
4. Automatic “No-Action” Migration
The biggest advantage for SunCrypto users is that no manual effort is required for ICE to ION migration.
- Automatic Swap: If you hold $ICE tokens in your SunCrypto wallet, they will be automatically converted to $ION tokens at the 1:1 ratio.
- Technical Handling: SunCrypto’s backend team will manage the entire on-chain bridge and migration process, ensuring users don’t have to deal with the complexities of the Online+ app or gas fees.
Strategic Importance & Utility of $ION
- Unified Ecosystem: $ION is now the single “lifeblood” of the network, used for gas fees, staking, and governance across all ION-based dApps.
- Tokenized Communities: The migration coincides with the launch of “Tokenized Communities” on the BNB Chain, allowing creators to mint their own social tokens powered by $ION.
- Deflationary Model: $ION incorporates a burning mechanism where a portion of transaction fees and ecosystem revenue is destroyed to reduce total supply over time.
Technical Upgrades
- Mainnet Transition: This move marks the full shift from the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) to the native ION Layer 1 Blockchain (built on a forked/optimized version of the TON blockchain).
- Performance: The new ION-native environment is designed to handle millions of transactions per second with near-zero fees.
Important Warnings
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Exchanges: If you hold ICE on an Indian exchange like SunCrypto, they are handling the migration automatically (no action needed).
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Official Link: Only use the bridge inside the Online+ app or the official bridge.ice.io website. Never click on migration links sent in DMs or Telegram groups, as these are almost always scams.
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Deadline: While the bridge is live as of Dec 17, it is recommended to migrate early to avoid network congestion and to start participating in the new “Tokenized Communities” feature.
- Exchange Withdrawals: Users should check their specific exchange’s withdrawal deadlines; some exchanges (like KuCoin) may only allow withdrawals for a limited window post-delisting.
Disclaimer: Crypto products & NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions.