It's a common story in the crypto world: you make a deposit, convert some funds, and then watch your balances fluctuate in ways that seem to defy logic. This user's recent experience highlights a feeling of being misled, and it's a sentiment many can relate to.

Let's dissect the numbers provided:

* Initial Deposit: 170 BRL

* Converted to USDT: 30.10 USDT

* Balance in BRL after conversion: 169.78 BRL

* Next Morning: 30.20 USDT and 171.55 BRL

* Later that day: 30.18 USDT and 170.15 BRL

The core of the user's frustration lies in this observation: "2 cents of dollar cost me more than 1 real? I don't understand these values, it's too easy to be deceived here.. 😥"

While it's understandable to feel this way, there are several key factors at play in cryptocurrency exchanges that can explain these seemingly erratic movements. It's rarely a deliberate deception, but rather a complex interplay of market dynamics and exchange mechanics.

Here are the most likely culprits for the discrepancies you're seeing:

* Exchange Rates (Real-Time Fluctuations): This is the biggest factor. The conversion rate between BRL and USDT (or any fiat currency and cryptocurrency) is not fixed. It changes constantly, every second of every day, based on supply and demand on the global market.

* When you deposited 170 BRL and got 30.10 USDT: There was a specific exchange rate at that exact moment.

* The next morning, with 30.20 USDT and 171.55 BRL: The value of your USDT in BRL terms had increased. This means either the BRL had weakened against the dollar, or the USDT (being pegged to the dollar) had become more valuable relative to the BRL. Your 30.20 USDT was worth more BRL than your initial 30.10 USDT was.

* Later, with 30.18 USDT and 170.15 BRL: The value of your USDT had slightly decreased against the BRL, or the BRL had strengthened. The slight drop in USDT might seem small, but if the BRL has moved significantly against the dollar, it can indeed account for a larger change in the BRL equivalent.

* Conversion Fees/Spreads: When you convert BRL to USDT, the exchange platform will almost always charge a fee. This fee might not be immediately obvious as a separate line item; it's often baked into the exchange rate they offer you (the "spread"). You don't get the exact mid-market rate. This explains why your initial 170 BRL only yielded 169.78 BRL as a "balance in reais" after conversion – the difference is the fee.

* The "Two Balances" Phenomenon: It seems you're tracking two balances: your USDT amount and a BRL equivalent. It's crucial to remember that your USDT balance is a fixed number of tokens (e.g., 30.10 USDT). The real (BRL) value of those tokens is constantly changing.

* You own 30.10 USDT. The platform is merely showing you what those 30.10 USDT are currently worth in BRL at the prevailing exchange rate.

* Therefore, if the BRL strengthens against the USD (and by extension, USDT), your 30.10 USDT will be worth fewer BRL. If the BRL weakens, your 30.10 USDT will be worth more BRL.

* Minor Price Differences/Spreads within the Platform: Even within the same exchange, the price at which you can buy and sell (the bid-ask spread) can cause minor fluctuations in displayed values, especially with stablecoins like USDT which are usually pegged to the dollar but can still have very slight deviations from $1.00.

Addressing Your Specific Concern: "2 cents of dollar cost me more than 1 real?"

This is where the fluctuating exchange rate between BRL and USD (USDT) comes into play. Let's assume the following hypothetical scenario:

* Initially: 1 BRL was roughly $0.177 USD. (170 BRL / 0.177 = ~30.10 USD)

* Later (when you saw the drop): Perhaps 1 BRL had strengthened to $0.180 USD, or the USD had weakened relative to the BRL.

* Your 30.20 USDT (which is essentially $30.20) was initially worth 171.55 BRL. This implies an exchange rate of roughly $1 = 5.68 BRL (171.55 / 30.20).

* When your USDT dropped by 2 cents (to 30.18 USDT) and your BRL equivalent dropped by over 1 real (from 171.55 to 170.15), it means the BRL either significantly strengthened against the dollar in that short period, or the platform's internal pricing or bid-ask spread widened slightly.

* A difference of $0.02 might seem small in dollar terms, but if the BRL/USD exchange rate moves, that small dollar difference can indeed translate to a larger BRL amount. For instance, if the BRL strengthens, your fixed dollar amount will be worth fewer BRL.

What You Can Do:

* Understand Exchange Rates: Always be aware that the BRL/USD (and thus BRL/USDT) exchange rate is dynamic. Use a reliable currency converter to get a sense of the current market rate, but remember the exchange will have its own rate and fees.

* Check Transaction History: Most platforms provide a detailed transaction history. Look for the exact exchange rate applied to your conversion and any fees charged. This will help you understand the initial conversion better.

* Monitor Your Crypto Balance: Focus on your actual USDT balance (e.g., 30.10 USDT). The BRL equivalent is just a constantly updating calculation based on the current market. Your actual asset is the USDT.

* Be Patient: Short-term fluctuations are very common. Unless you're actively trading, daily or even hourly checks of the BRL equivalent might lead to unnecessary stress.

* Choose Reputable Exchanges: While not always the cause of these issues, using well-known and regulated exchanges can provide more transparency in their fee structures and exchange rates.

It's completely valid to feel frustrated when the numbers don't add up intuitively. However, in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, understanding these underlying market dynamics and exchange mechanisms is key to avoiding feelings of being "deceived." The market itself is simply reflecting supply and demand, and platforms charge fees for their services.