How to Send Crypto: Beginner's Guide (2026)
Sending cryptocurrency is like sending an email, but with money. You need the recipient's address, you select the network (like choosing email vs SMS), and you pay a small fee. This guide walks you through every step, explains common mistakes, and shows you how to send crypto safely.
The Basics: What You Need to Send Crypto
Before you can send cryptocurrency, you need:
- Crypto to send: You must own the cryptocurrency you want to send
- The recipient's wallet address: A long string of letters and numbers (like
0x1234...abcd) - The correct network: The blockchain the recipient wants to receive on
- Enough for fees: A small amount to pay the network fee
What is a Wallet Address?
A wallet address is like an email address for crypto. It's a unique identifier that tells the blockchain where to send funds. Examples:
- Ethereum/EVM:
0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f... - Bitcoin:
bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh - Solana:
7xKXtg2CW87d97TXJSDpbD5jBkheTqA83TZRuJosgAsU
⚠️ Critical Warning
Always copy and paste addresses. Never type them manually. One wrong character = lost funds forever. There's no "undo" in crypto.
Step-by-Step: How to Send Crypto
From an Exchange (Coinbase, Binance, etc.)
- Log in to your exchange account
- Go to Withdraw or Send (usually under Assets or Wallet)
- Select the cryptocurrency you want to send (e.g., USDT, ETH, BTC)
- Choose the network carefully (e.g., TRC20, ERC20, Solana)
- Paste the recipient's address (use copy/paste, never type)
- Enter the amount you want to send
- Add memo/tag if required (for XRP, XLM, and some exchanges)
- Review all details: address, network, amount, fee
- Confirm with 2FA or email verification
- Wait for the transaction to complete
From a Wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, etc.)
- Open your wallet app
- Make sure you're on the correct network (check top of screen)
- Tap Send
- Paste the recipient's address
- Enter the amount
- Review the gas/network fee
- Confirm the transaction
Pro Tip: Send a Test Transaction First
For large amounts, always send a small test transaction first (like $1-5). Once you confirm it arrived, send the rest. The small fee is worth the peace of mind.
Understanding Networks (Very Important!)
This is where most beginners make costly mistakes. The same cryptocurrency can exist on multiple networks, and you must use the same network as the recipient.
Example: Sending USDT
USDT exists on many networks:
| Network | Also Called | Fee | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRON | TRC20 | $0.50-1 | 3-5 sec |
| Solana | SPL | $0.001 | 1-5 sec |
| Polygon | MATIC | $0.01 | 5-30 sec |
| BNB Chain | BEP20 | $0.10 | 5-30 sec |
| Ethereum | ERC20 | $1-50 | 5-15 min |
🚨 Network Mismatch = Lost Funds
If you send USDT on TRC20 to an ERC20 address, the funds may be lost. Always confirm the recipient supports your chosen network.
How to Check Which Network to Use
- Ask the recipient which network they want
- If depositing to an exchange, check their deposit page for supported networks
- When in doubt, use the same network both sides support
How Much Does It Cost to Send Crypto?
Fees depend on the network you use, not the amount you send. Here's a quick reference:
| Network/Crypto | Typical Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Stellar (XLM) | $0.00001 | Cheapest option |
| XRP | $0.01 | Exchange transfers |
| Solana | $0.001 | Fast & cheap |
| TRON (TRC20) | $0.50-1 | Universal support |
| Polygon | $0.01 | EVM compatible |
| Base | $0.01 | Coinbase users |
| Arbitrum | $0.05-0.30 | Ethereum L2 |
| Ethereum | $1-50 | Max security |
| Bitcoin | $1-20 | BTC only |
Compare Fees Across All Networks
Our calculator shows real-time fees for every network and exchange.
Open Fee Calculator →Memos and Destination Tags
Some cryptocurrencies require an extra identifier called a memo (Stellar) or destination tag (XRP). This is critical when sending to exchanges.
Why Are They Needed?
Exchanges use one wallet address for all customers. The memo/tag tells them which account to credit. Without it, they don't know the funds are yours.
When You Need a Memo/Tag
- XRP: Destination tag (numeric, like
123456789) - XLM (Stellar): Memo (text or numeric)
- EOS: Memo
- Some exchange deposits: Even for other cryptos
⚠️ Forgot the Memo?
Contact the exchange's support immediately. Recovery is possible but may take weeks and require identity verification. Some exchanges charge a recovery fee.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Wrong address
Triple-check the address. Compare the first 6 and last 6 characters. Use a test transaction. -
Wrong network
USDT on TRC20 ≠ USDT on ERC20. Confirm the recipient's network before sending. -
Missing memo/tag
Required for XRP and XLM deposits to exchanges. Without it, funds may be lost. -
Sending to a contract address
Don't send funds directly to smart contract addresses unless you know what you're doing. -
Not enough for gas
On Ethereum, you need ETH for fees even when sending tokens. Keep some ETH in your wallet. -
Sending unsupported tokens
If you send a token to a wallet that doesn't support it, it may be inaccessible.
The "Send to Yourself" Test
New to a wallet or network? Send a small amount to yourself first. Create a second wallet, send $1, and practice the process. It's the safest way to learn.
How Long Does It Take?
| Network | Confirmation Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solana | 1-5 seconds | Near instant |
| TRON | 3-5 seconds | Very fast |
| XRP | 3-5 seconds | Near instant |
| Stellar | 3-5 seconds | Near instant |
| Polygon | 5-30 seconds | Fast |
| BNB Chain | 5-30 seconds | Fast |
| Ethereum | 5-15 minutes | Depends on gas paid |
| Bitcoin | 10-60 minutes | 1-6 confirmations |
Note: Exchanges may add processing time (minutes to hours) for security verification, especially for large withdrawals or new addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send cryptocurrency?
Copy the recipient's wallet address, paste it into your wallet's send function, choose the matching network, enter the amount, and confirm. The hardest part is making sure the network matches on both sides. When in doubt, send $1 first as a test.
What happens if I send crypto to the wrong address?
Crypto sent to a wrong address is usually lost forever. Blockchain transactions cannot be reversed. There's no customer service to call. Always triple-check the address and start with a small test transaction for large amounts.
Can I cancel a crypto transaction?
Once a transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, it cannot be cancelled or reversed. On some networks (like Ethereum), you may be able to replace a pending transaction with a higher fee, but this is technical and not guaranteed.
How much does it cost to send crypto?
Fees vary by network: XLM $0.00001, XRP $0.01, Solana $0.001, TRON $0.50-1, Polygon $0.01, Ethereum $1-50, Bitcoin $1-20. The fee is the same regardless of the amount you send.
Why is my transaction taking so long?
Transaction times depend on the network (Bitcoin is slow, Solana is fast) and network congestion. If withdrawing from an exchange, they may add security processing time. Check the transaction hash on a block explorer for status.
What is a memo or destination tag?
A memo (XLM) or destination tag (XRP) is an extra identifier required when sending to exchanges. It tells the exchange which account to credit. Forgetting it can result in lost funds that require a lengthy recovery process.
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