# Best way to convert Storj to USD **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Tags:** payouts\ **Created:** [December 20, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/best-way-to-convert-storj-to-usd/24728 "2023-12-20T18:48:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jsubs](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/jsubs/32/1132_2.png) [@jsubs](https://forum.storj.io/u/jsubs)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/best-way-to-convert-storj-to-usd/24728/1 "2023-12-20T18:48:33Z")
I’ve been running a node for some time now and am at the point where I’d like to convert the storj credit to money I can use, what’s the current best practice to do this? I know nothing about crypto, all I know is the ‘View on Etherscan’ link on the dashboard says I have storj, and I have a 12 word phrase that I punch into metamask that then somehow links to a wallet somewhere that shows the same number of storj. I’m lost in the sea of lingo (Changelly, Atomic Wallet, MEW wallet, zkSync) All I know is I cant find a place to put my 12 words into eToro or coinbase. I’m asking for a ELI5 crash course for how to do this [probably] simple task without losing 50% value in fees. ---
**Author:** ![bre](https://storj.bcdn.literatehosting.com/user_avatar/forum.storj.io/bre/32/69_2.png) [@bre](https://forum.storj.io/u/bre)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://forum.storj.io/t/best-way-to-convert-storj-to-usd/24728/2 "2023-12-20T21:12:57Z")
Hello @jsubs Welcome to the Forum! Don’t worry. It seem a lot to learn at first but if you can run a node, you can learn this no problem First: never enter your 12 word phrase into any website. This is your “secret code” to access your wallet. Anyone or any system with those 12 words in the correct order can access your Metamask wallet. So please use best practices to secure this information. After that start with these links that take it from the beginning so you understand the token you are moving and exchanging . Your sea of lingo comment indicates you probably already read this but I’m putting it here just in case. > **[How do I hold STORJ? What is a valid address or compatible wallet?](https://support.storj.io/hc/en-us/articles/360026611692-How-do-I-hold-STORJ-What-is-a-valid-address-or-compatible-wallet-)** > > STORJ is an ERC-20 token running on the Ethereum platform. In order to receive and hold your STORJ token payouts, you should use an ERC-20 compatible wallet to which you hold the private key yourse... > **[How can I exchange STORJ tokens to currencies like € or $?](https://support.storj.io/hc/en-us/articles/360031990652-How-can-I-exchange-STORJ-tokens-to-currencies-like-or-)** > > Storj Labs cannot make specific recommendations of which exchange you should use, but you can find the exchanges that trade the STORJ token listed here or here. Please note that gas prices for send... To move the Storj token out of a self custody wallet (Metamask or others) to an exchange you will need to have some Ethereum in the wallet to pay the transaction fee for moving the Storj token on the blockchain from your Storj token wallet address to the to the point of exchange Storj token wallet address. If you are going to exchange Storj tokens to your local currency you can use a centralized exchange that services your region. If you choose to use one of these exchanges, follow their instruction for converting to fiat currency and withdrawing > **[Storj Price: STORJ Live Price Chart & News | CoinGecko](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/storj#markets)** > > Track the latest Storj price, market cap, trading volume, news and more with CoinGecko's live STORJ price chart and popular cryptocurrency price tracker. Some people choose to convert directly to gift cards from Storj tokens to avoid certain fees > [@Can someone explain to me payout like I'm 5?](https://forum.storj.io/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-payout-like-im-5/23405/8): > > You might want to reconsider this goal: this is the most expensive (conversion to cash is associated with high fees) and time consuming route (if anything, it requires going through Know Your Customer process at the exchange you select). Instead you might want to keep the payout in cryptocurrencies and use it to pay for other services you are using but paying with fiat today, either directly (bitpay) or via gift cards (bitrefill). This is an excellent guide to this process: [March 2023: what i…](https://forum.storj.io/t/march-2023-what-is-easiest-and-cheapest-way-to-exchange-storj-tokens-at-zksync-wallet/21831/10) Changelly is a swap service; think of it like a regular currency exchange company but instead of USD to Euros its Storj to Bitcoin for example Atomic Wallet is an example of the many self custody wallets. Some self custody wallets like Exodus have swap service integrated in the UX through third party partners. I don’t know what wallet you are using (not asking to respect your privacy and security) but you may have access to a swap service in the wallet you are currently using. Metamask has swaps but I have not used them recently so its best to read their latest instructions > **[User Guide: Swaps](https://support.metamask.io/hc/en-us/articles/4405093054363)** > > MetaMask Swaps is a MetaMask feature that allows you to do exactly that: swap one cryptocurrency token for another (for more on ERC-20 tokens and the difference between these and NFTs, see our user... MEW wallet is one of the oldest wallets with a good reputation, you access this wallet through their website zkSync is a Layer 2 solution built on Ethereum ( the Layer 1). The purpose is scaling and fee reduction, but this may be too far in the weeds for your initial purposes. It’s better to first understand wallets and what is required to move and swap the Storj tokens on the Layer 1 Ethereum. Then learn about zkSync. I hope this helps get you started. Please feel free to ask a lot of questions. Working with tokens may seem unfamiliar and like a sea of lingo now but you will get used to it