What is a crypto wallet address? Address vs public key vs private key
A wallet address is a string of letters and numbers you share to receive crypto, much like an account number. A private key is what lets you spend, and it must never be shared. Here is how they differ and how to avoid mistakes.
Address, public key and private key
A private key is a secret number that signs your transactions. The public key is derived from it, and the address is derived from the public key; going backwards from an address to the private key is practically impossible.
So you can share your address freely, but never your private key or recovery phrase. A 24-word recovery phrase is a readable form of those keys.
What addresses look like on different networks
Each blockchain family has its own format:
- Ethereum and EVM networks: start with 0x and are 42 characters long
- Tron: starts with T
- Bitcoin: usually starts with bc1, 1 or 3
- Solana: a long string with no fixed prefix
- XRP Ledger: starts with r
- Stellar: starts with G
- TON: usually starts with UQ or EQ
Why one address works on several EVM chains
EVM networks such as Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon and Base share one address and key format, so the same 0x address is valid on all of them. Balances stay separate on each network.
This does not carry across families: a Tron address cannot stand in for an Ethereum address. Picking the wrong network can mean the funds are not recovered.
Memos and tags
Some networks need an extra identifier besides the address: a memo on Stellar, a destination tag on XRP Ledger and a comment on TON. Exchanges often use it to know which customer a deposit belongs to.
If you deposit to an exchange and forget the memo, the deposit may be delayed or credited wrongly. Always copy the memo too.
Checking addresses and address poisoning
In address poisoning, a scammer creates an address whose first and last characters look like one you use, hoping you copy it from your history. So do not rely on the first and last few characters only.
- Get the address from a trusted source
- Compare the whole address, not just the ends
- Send a small test amount first
- Re-check saved addresses too
Two common mistakes
Mistake one: sending Tron USDT (a T address) to an Ethereum address (0x). These networks are not compatible and the funds may be lost.
Mistake two: copying an address from your last transaction in the history. If someone sent you a look-alike address, you copy that one. Always take the address from the real source and check all of it.
@handle in Waletifi
In Waletifi you can send to an @handle instead of a long address. The review screen warns you about look-alike or poisoned addresses, and when a handle now points to a different address than last time.
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