How to recover lost cryptocurrency: what you can do
Most lost crypto stays lost, but you can contact support, check the blockchain, and report theft to the FTC and FBI IC3. Keep written records.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 5, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Sort the loss: wallet, exchange, wrong address, or scam.
- Gather the transaction ID and any seed backup first.
- Report theft to the FTC and FBI IC3.
- Treat unsolicited recovery offers as scams.
Sort the loss first: a wallet you control, an exchange account, a wrong address, or a scam. The limits of a crypto scam recovery and the steps to recover stolen cryptocurrency depend on whether you hold the keys.
What should you know before starting?
Start by naming the loss. Without the seed phrase or private key to a wallet you control, the funds are usually out of reach. A lost password for an exchange account is different from a wrong address send or a theft. If an exchange closed or filed for bankruptcy, check its official claims agent and court docket.
How do you try recovery?
Work through the platforms involved and check the public record. Support may freeze an exchange balance or reverse an internal transfer.
- 1Contact wallet supportTell the provider what happened and give the transaction ID.
- 2Check the explorerSearch the transaction ID or wallet address to see where the funds moved.
- 3Alert the exchangeIf an exchange is involved, tell its fraud team the transaction was fraudulent.
- 4Request a reversalAsk the exchange or ATM operator to undo the transaction.
- 5Secure the loginSet a new strong password and turn on two-factor authentication.
- 6Scan the deviceRun a security scan and remove anything it flags.
What should you do after?
Report the theft to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI IC3. Keep written records. Then secure your remaining accounts with new passwords and two-factor authentication.
Frequently asked questions
Tracing can show where funds moved, but it does not force a return. Recovery usually depends on the thief or on law enforcement.
Watch for unsolicited contact, guaranteed results, and requests for your seed phrase. A guarantee of profits in crypto is a scam sign.
It does not guarantee a return. A report creates a record that may help investigators.
