Address

A crypto address is a string of letters and numbers that identifies a destination on a blockchain — the equivalent of an account number you share to receive funds.

How it works

An address is derived from a public key, which is itself derived from a private key held in your wallet. Anyone can send assets to an address, but only the holder of the matching private key can authorise spending from it. Most networks use their own address format, so an address valid on one chain is not usable on another.

Why it matters

Addresses make it possible to receive funds without revealing your private key. Because transactions are irreversible, sending to a wrong or mistyped address usually means the funds are lost, which is why wallets show full addresses and often a QR code to copy exactly.

Example

To receive a coin, you share your public address; the sender pastes it as the destination of their transaction.