What to Do After Sending Cryptocurrency to the Wrong Address

Crypto transfers can be difficult or impossible to reverse. If you think you sent funds to the wrong address, avoid rushing into a second transaction or trusting unsolicited recovery offers. First establish what happened.

Verify the transaction

Locate the transaction hash in your wallet or exchange history. Confirm the network, destination address, amount, timestamp, and status using a reputable explorer for that chain. A pending transaction and a confirmed transaction may require different next steps.

Contact the sending or receiving service

If an exchange or custodial service was involved, contact its verified support channel promptly. Give the transaction hash and relevant account reference through its secure process. A service may be unable to reverse an on-chain transfer, but it can explain its available procedures.

Check the network carefully

Tokens on different networks can use similar-looking addresses. Do not assume an asset is recoverable just because an address is visible on an explorer. Recovery depends on the asset, chain, destination control, and the service's technical and legal policies.

Keep evidence and protect access

• Save receipts, transaction hashes, screenshots, and support case numbers.
• Never share seed phrases or private keys with support staff or a recovery agent.
• If the transfer followed an account compromise, secure the account from a trusted device and revoke suspicious sessions.

Recognize recovery-fee scams

Be skeptical of people who guarantee a refund, claim they can hack a wallet back, or demand an advance fee to unlock funds. Do not install remote-access tools or sign unfamiliar wallet transactions.

Important: This guide is general educational information, not legal or financial advice. Outcomes depend on the facts and applicable law; no recovery or security result is guaranteed.