Short answer

To send crypto safely, copy the address from the recipient’s own receive screen, pick the same network their wallet or exchange uses, add the memo or destination tag if their platform asks for one, and send a small test first. On-chain sends cannot be reversed: Coinbase says it can’t retrieve funds sent to an incorrect address or on an incorrect network.

On this page

At a glance

  • Can an on-chain send be reversedNo. Coinbase calls on-chain sends irreversible
  • NetworkThe same network must be used on the sending and receiving side
  • Memo or destination tagRequired by some exchanges for some assets; the receiving platform decides
  • Test sendCoinbase suggests a small test amount to confirm the address and tag
  • Deposit minimumsAt Kraken, a deposit below the minimum is marked Failed and permanently lost
  • Sends between users of the same platformAt Coinbase, off-chain sends to an email, phone or username are instant and have no transaction fee

Sources: Coinbase: Steps to send crypto · Coinbase: Destination tags and memos · Kraken: Overview of cryptocurrency minimums · Checked on September 27, 2026

The four things every send needs

A crypto transfer is not like a bank payment. There is no name check and no recall. The network moves coins to whatever address you give it, on the network you pick. Four details decide where the money ends up.

  1. The address. A long string of letters and numbers (or a QR code). Get it from the recipient’s receive screen, not from an old message or your transaction history.
  2. The network. Many assets, such as USDC, exist on several blockchains. The sender and the recipient must use the same one.
  3. The memo or destination tag. Some exchanges use one shared deposit address for many customers and sort deposits by this extra field.
  4. Enough for the fee and the minimum. The network fee comes on top of the amount, and the receiving platform may have a minimum deposit.

Step by step

Timeline

  1. Before you sendthe recipient opens their receive screen and shares the address, the network and any memo or tag
  2. Test sendyou send a small amount on that network, with the memo if one is required
  3. Test landsthe recipient confirms it shows in their balance
  4. Full sendyou paste the same details, check the preview and approve (2-step verification if prompted)
  5. Confirmationsthe network adds blocks on top of your transaction; Kraken, for example, credits bitcoin after four confirmations, about 40 minutes
  6. Creditedthe funds appear in the recipient’s balance

Sources: Coinbase: Destination tags and memos · Kraken: Deposit processing times · Checked on September 27, 2026

On Coinbase, the send flow asks you to choose the asset, the amount and the network, then the address, then shows a preview before you confirm. Coinbase notes that if an asset is supported on several networks, you should always confirm that the recipient’s wallet supports the network you choose.

Choosing the network

A wrong network is an easy mistake because the same address can be valid on several networks: MetaMask notes that a wallet’s recovery phrase produces the same address on all EVM-compatible networks, such as Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum and Avalanche. The send goes through; the funds just land on a network the recipient may not watch or support.

Coinbase gives a concrete example: sending USDC from a self-hosted wallet on the Solana network to a Coinbase USDC address on the Ethereum network means the funds are lost. Sending USDC on Polygon to a Coinbase Polygon address works. Coinbase adds that it cannot recover funds lost because they were sent or received on an incorrect network, and that support for multiple networks is not available in New York.

Two habits help:

  • Let the recipient choose. Ask them which network their receive screen shows, and use exactly that.
  • Match the label, not the token name. “USDC” is not enough; “USDC on Solana” is.

Fees differ by network too. See crypto network fees for how they are set, and stablecoin transfer for USDC and USDT on different chains.

Memos and destination tags

Some assets need a second field, called a memo, tag or destination tag. Coinbase explains why: exchanges often use one wallet address for all users and use the tag to credit the right customer. If the tag is missing or wrong, Coinbase says the funds will not be credited to the correct account, and it cannot retrieve funds once they have been sent out.

  • Sending to an exchange: the receiving platform decides whether a tag is required. Copy it from the recipient’s receive screen.
  • Sending to a self-custody wallet: Coinbase says tags generally aren’t needed, because the address is unique to its owner.

Kraken lists a missing or incorrect tag among common deposit mistakes and says it may recover such deposits for the network fee (see sent crypto to wrong network).

Don’t copy addresses from your history

Address poisoning is a scam built on copy and paste. MetaMask’s help center describes it: the scammer creates an address that starts and ends like one you use, sends you a tiny or zero-value transfer from it, and waits for you to copy the fake address from your history. MetaMask’s advice:

  • check the middle characters, not just the start and end;
  • avoid copying addresses from your transaction history;
  • save addresses you have verified in your wallet’s address book;
  • on a hardware wallet, confirm the address on the device.

Kraken adds two exchange-specific rules: generate a current deposit address in your account for each deposit, and never use a Kraken hot-wallet address copied from a blockchain explorer.

Warning

Only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency, the FTC says: no legitimate business or government agency will demand crypto to buy something, pay a fine or “protect” your money. Once you pay with crypto, you usually get it back only if the person you paid sends it back. Check FTC: What to know about cryptocurrency and scams · Checked on September 27, 2026

Sending to someone on the same app

If you and the recipient use the same platform, you may not need the blockchain at all. Coinbase’s off-chain sends go to another Coinbase user by phone number, email or username; Coinbase says they are instant, have no transaction fees and do not appear on the blockchain.

Cash App is different for bitcoin: since December 20, 2024 it no longer supports sending bitcoin between $cashtags. See how to send bitcoin on Cash App. If your crypto sits in PayPal, the steps, limits and minimums are in how to transfer crypto from PayPal.

If something goes wrong

Contact the support team of the platform you sent from and the one you sent to, with the transaction ID (TxID), the asset, the amount, the address and the time. What can be recovered depends on who controls the receiving address; we cover each case in sent crypto to wrong network.

If you were scammed, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov, and to the platform you used. Never pay anyone who contacts you offering to “recover” crypto.

This guide explains how transfers work and where they fail. It is not financial advice.