Wallet address
Also called: crypto address · deposit address · receiving address
Definition
A wallet address is a string of letters and numbers that identifies where crypto can be sent on a specific blockchain, similar to an account number you can share publicly.
This entry is shown in English.
How Wallet address works
Address formats depend on the blockchain. Bitcoin addresses often start with bc1, 1 or 3. Ethereum and other EVM chains such as BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum and Base use addresses that start with 0x. Tron addresses start with T, and Solana addresses are long base58 strings.
An address is only valid on the network it belongs to. The same 0x address can exist on several EVM chains, which is why an exchange asks you to pick a network on top of the address. Sending to the right address on the wrong network can make funds hard or impossible to recover.
Blockchain transfers cannot be reversed. Copy addresses with the copy button or a QR code, then check the first and last several characters before you confirm.
Example
Say you withdraw 1,000 USDT from an exchange to your own wallet. Your wallet shows an address starting with T, so you choose the TRC-20 network on the exchange and paste the address. You first send 20 USDT as a test, see it arrive in your wallet, and then send the remaining 980 USDT. The test costs one extra network fee, but it confirms the address and network before the larger amount moves.
Common mistakes
- Copying an address from your transaction history, where a look-alike poisoned address may be waiting.
- Choosing a network that the receiving wallet or exchange does not support.
- Typing an address by hand instead of copying it or scanning its QR code.
Learn and practise
FAQ
Can I reuse the same wallet address?
Yes, an address can receive many times. Some Bitcoin wallets generate a new address for each payment to improve privacy, but older ones still work.
Is it safe to share my wallet address?
Yes. Others can only send to it and view its public history; they cannot spend from it.