Wallet Address

A crypto wallet address is an identifier used by a blockchain network or protocol to specify the recipient of a transfer. A sender uses the address when creating a transaction that transfers assets to the recipient.

Address formats depend on the specific blockchain and address standard. Some networks support multiple address formats for different use cases, while tokens may exist on several networks and use different contract addresses and interaction standards.

An address can normally be shared publicly for receiving funds. It should not be confused with a private key: the address identifies a destination, while the private key is used to authorize spending or other operations.

Address verification

Before sending funds, the complete destination address and network should be verified. Malware can replace copied addresses in a clipboard, so checking only the first and last characters is not sufficient protection.