Sent Crypto to the Wrong Network? What to Do Now

Don't panic, and don't send anything else yet. Crypto sent on the wrong network is often recoverable, and how depends on where it went. If it went to a wallet you control, you can usually get it back yourself by switching networks in the wallet. If it went to an exchange, only that exchange can help, and some offer recovery for a fee, with no guarantee. If it went to a contract or an address nobody controls, it's usually gone. Whatever you do, never share your recovery phrase with anyone who offers to help.

Which case are you in?

Case 1: It went to your own wallet

Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon and BNB Smart Chain all use the same address format (starting with 0x). If you sent USDC on Base to your MetaMask address but your wallet is set to Ethereum, the money is at your address on Base. It's just not on the screen you're looking at. If your wallet shows a different address on that network, stop and contact the wallet's official support before you move anything.

1. Look up the transactionPaste the transaction ID into the explorer for the network you sent on (Etherscan, Basescan, Arbiscan, BscScan). Confirm the status says Success and note the network.
2. Switch your wallet to that networkIn MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet, open the network menu and pick the network from Step 1. Add it if it's not listed.
3. Add the token if it doesn't appearCopy the token's contract address for that network from the explorer page of your own transaction, then check it against the issuer's official list before you import it (Circle, for example, publishes USDC's address on each network). In MetaMask, open the three-dot menu, choose Manage tokens, then Add custom token, and paste the address. Other wallets use similar menus. Never import a token from an address someone sends you.

You'll need a little of that network's gas coin to move the funds, such as ETH on Base or BNB on BNB Smart Chain. See which coin pays the gas fee.

Case 2: It went to an exchange on a network it doesn't support

The exchange holds the keys to that deposit address, so only the exchange can move the funds. Contact support through the help center on its official site, and include the transaction ID, network, coin and amount.

Coinbase has a self-service tool for some of these cases, in its help center under "Recover unsupported crypto". It works only in a web browser, not the app, and covers only eligible assets and networks. You need the transaction ID, the Coinbase address you sent to, the network and a self-custodial wallet to receive the funds. Coinbase says recoveries over $100 carry a 5% fee on the amount above $100, plus network fees paid in ETH.

Kraken says on its help center that it will try to recover some misrouted deposits through support, for a fee that depends on the case, and that not every deposit can be recovered. Other exchanges handle it case by case, and some don't recover at all. Check the exchange's own help center for its current terms.

Case 3: Someone else's wallet or a contract

If you sent to another person's wallet, you can only ask them to send it back. If you sent tokens to a token's own contract address, they're almost always locked for good, because no one has the keys.

Watch out for recovery scams

People who lose crypto are targeted right away. "Recovery experts" in replies and DMs, phone numbers in search results, and anyone asking for your recovery phrase or an upfront fee are scammers. The FTC warns that no legitimate company will contact you out of the blue about getting your money back. Real exchange support never asks for your recovery phrase.

• Use only the help center you reach by typing the exchange's address yourself.
• Never connect your wallet to a site someone sends you to "fix" a transfer.
• Never pay a stranger to recover funds.

How to avoid it next time

Always copy the receive address from the wallet with the network already selected, choose the same network on the send screen, and send a test amount first. Our guide to sending crypto from Coinbase to a wallet has a network table you can keep open while you do it.