Check the receiving network before sending crypto

A destination address must work on the network you send through, and the recipient must be able to access the asset there. An address that looks right can still lead to funds the recipient cannot use. Before sending, confirm both the network and the asset with the person or service receiving it.

Some wallet addresses look the same across several networks. That does not mean the networks share balances or can deliver assets to one another. For a concise account of how a route such as Polygon Bridge moves assets between networks, see the fuller explainer. A bridge handles the cross-network transfer; a regular send does not.

Why does the receiving network matter?

A blockchain records transactions on its own network, so a transfer on one chain will not automatically appear on another. A wallet may use the same address on multiple EVM-compatible networks—chains that follow Ethereum’s address rules—but each network keeps separate balances. The recipient needs a wallet that can access the network where the transfer lands.

Token names can also be misleading. USDC, for example, can exist on more than one network. Sending a token to an address on a supported network does not make it the same asset as a token with that name on another chain. The receiving service must support that specific asset on that specific network.

What should you check before sending?

Match the sender’s network to a network the recipient has confirmed they can receive on. For an exchange deposit, use the network listed on that deposit screen; for a personal wallet, ask the recipient which network to use. Check the asset too, since a service may accept a token on one chain and not another.

• Confirm the network on both sides of the transfer.
• Check that the recipient supports the exact token on that network.
• Use the address or deposit details provided for that network.
• Check whether the service requires a memo or tag as well as an address.

A small test transfer can help when the amount is large and the service permits it, though it costs an extra network fee. Wait for it to arrive and confirm the recipient can use it before sending the rest. A successful transaction only confirms that the network delivered it to the address; it does not confirm that the recipient’s wallet or service can access it.

When do you need a bridge?

Use a bridge when you want to move an asset between networks and the recipient needs it on a different network from the one holding it now. A bridge route names the source and destination networks and handles the cross-network step. Depending on the route, it may lock an asset on one chain and release or create a corresponding version on another.

That process is different from entering a destination address in a normal send form. A regular transfer only records a transaction on its selected network. If the recipient asks for funds on another network, do not assume that a matching-looking address will carry them there: choose a supported bridge route or another method the recipient confirms. The practical rule is simple: verify the network first, then the asset and address.