How to verify a wallet address before sending crypto
To verify a wallet address before sending crypto, copy it from a trusted source, compare the full string, confirm the network, and send a test.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 5, 20263 min readFact-checked
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- Do not type an address by hand.
- Compare every character, not just the ends.
- Save the transaction hash and address.
A confirmed transaction cannot be reversed.
What do I need before I start?
Ask the recipient for the address through a channel you trust. Do not take one from a social media post, a search result, or an unexpected email. Use a clean device.
How do I verify the address step by step?
Verification means checking the address and network before funds leave the wallet. Clipboard malware can swap a copied address, so compare after pasting.
- 1Copy or scan itUse the address from the recipient's own message or QR code. Do not type it by hand.
- 2Compare the full stringCheck every character against the recipient's source. Do not compare only the first and last characters; a lookalike address can pass that check.
- 3Confirm the network matchesCheck that your wallet and the recipient use the same blockchain network. Funds sent on another network may not reach the recipient.
- 4Send a small testSend a small amount and ask the recipient to confirm it arrived. A wrong address costs you only that small amount.
- 5Wait for confirmationWait for the test to confirm before sending the rest. A pending transaction has not settled.
What should I do after sending?
Save the transaction hash and recipient address. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so keep these records for tax reporting.
Frequently asked questions
If it is pending, your wallet may let you replace it. Once confirmed, it usually cannot be recovered.
Not after confirmation. Some networks allow replacement while pending.
A valid address matches the network format. It can still belong to the wrong person, so compare it with the recipient's source.
A QR code can be tampered with. After scanning, compare it with the recipient's source.
