Match the network before you send crypto

To send crypto to a wallet, match three details: the asset, the network and the destination address. A wallet may support several networks, but an address that looks right does not prove it can receive your asset on the network you chose.

Start with the receiving wallet’s deposit or receive screen. Select the asset and check the network it names before copying the address; then compare those details with the sending service’s withdrawal screen.

Why does the network matter?

The network is the blockchain that records the transfer. The same asset name can exist on different networks, and sending on one network does not automatically deliver funds on another.

For example, a wallet might show separate deposit options for an asset on two networks. Choose the option that matches the withdrawal network exactly. A familiar-looking address is not enough: some networks use similar address formats, while the receiving service may support only one of them.

Moving an asset between networks can also mean making a cross-chain swap or using a bridge, rather than making a regular wallet transfer. For a fuller explanation of that distinction, see thor swap; the key point is that these routes involve extra steps beyond sending to an address.

How do you choose the right transfer route?

Use the simplest route that both the sending service and receiving wallet support. If they share a network for that asset, a direct withdrawal is usually easier to check than moving funds across chains.

Before confirming, compare these details on both screens:

• Asset: Make sure the coin or token name matches.
• Network: Select the same blockchain at both ends.
• Address: Copy it from the receiving wallet and check the beginning and end after pasting.
• Extra fields: Include a memo or tag if the receiver requires one.

Check the fee and any minimum withdrawal amount shown by the sending service. If a small test transfer is practical, send it first and wait for the receiving wallet to show it before sending more.

What should you check if the funds do not appear?

First, check the withdrawal status and transaction record on the sending side. A pending transfer may still be waiting for the sender to process it or for the network to record it.

If the sender marks it complete, compare the recorded destination address and network with the details you selected in the receiving wallet. The transaction record can show whether it was sent to the address you intended, but it cannot make an unsupported network or wrong address compatible with the wallet.

Do not share your recovery phrase to get help; a wallet provider should not need it to check a transfer. If the network and address match but the wallet still shows no balance, check its instructions for viewing that asset or contact the service that controls the receiving address.

After sending, watch for the transaction to move from pending to confirmed and for the receiving wallet to display the balance. If you used a test transfer, wait for that confirmation before sending the remaining amount.