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How to Recover Crypto Sent to Wrong Address – Can It Be Done?

Dave Miller with Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller – Tech Enthusiast & Security Expert – January 12th, 2022

How to recover crypto sent to wrong address

Even though governments and authorities are scrutinizing cryptocurrency, it offers distinct benefits. The authorities ‘ primary concern is the crypto networks’ peer-to-peer transactions, allowing individuals to interact directly without needing a central bank to supervise the process. 

Due to a lack of awareness, this advantage has become an issue for many. Many more people rush into crypto after hearing about the benefits of following the trends without having the essential information to avoid making significant mistakes. With so many new exchanges and currencies to choose from, users frequently make accidental blunders such as transferring assets to recipients they should not and then scouring the internet for How to Recover Crypto Sent to Wrong Address. 

Well, the resolution is a little convoluted, but don’t worry about it. I’m here to help you find a solution in various situations but bear in mind that there isn’t always a solution.

Quick Answer: Due to the irreversible nature of the cryptocurrency framework, transactions cannot get canceled or reversed once they get initiated. Yes, in rare cases, if you know the owner’s wallet address or own the address, you may recover the assets for a small fee.

It is essential to understand how a transaction works, whether you are spending or withdrawing crypto; consequently, keep reading to learn how to master your crypto transactions.

Table of Contents

How a Crypto Transaction Works

In simple words, blockchain technology is a decentralized, distributed ledger that tracks the origin of a digital asset and makes hacking, changing, or cheating the system difficult or impossible. 

Transactions are digitally signed communications, similar to email, broadcast to the whole blockchain network for verification. Because crypto offers you ultimate custodial control over your digital assets, it also implies that, even if you’re a seasoned user, you’re prone to making transaction errors due to human error. There are two cases to on how to recover crypto sent to the wrong address.

Case 1: Retrieve Your Lost Crypto

Let’s start with the worst-case scenario so you can be relieved if you haven’t already committed this mistake. With so many options for withdrawing and depositing digital assets, it’s vital to be cautious and double-check that the recipient’s address matches yours. 

Once a transaction has begun, it cannot be interrupted or reversed. As a result, if you move your assets to an address that you do not own, you will lose your digital assets.

You will rarely be able to get your money back in this situation, but one way on how to recover crypto sent to the wrong wallet address, the only ways to possibly retrieve those transactions are to locate the owner of the address that received your deposit, which is extremely difficult due to Blockchain’s fundamentals.

  • If you know the address owner, you can request cooperation in returning your deposit, which is exceedingly improbable even if you know them.
  • When the address belongs to the exchanges or wallet, you should contact their support staff to check if your mistakenly transmitted assets can recover.
 

Tip: If you use Coinbase to transfer digital assets by email and the receiver does not claim it within 30 days, you will be refunded (Especially if the email you sent isn’t valid). You can contact Coinbase by Clicking Here for a refund.

Case 2: Your Crypto Can Get Recovered in Few Steps

It might be terrifying to transmit funds to the incorrect Blockchain accidentally, but recovering your tokens with minimal time and effort is feasible. Due to their similar address patterns, users frequently mix up Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Binance Smart Chain, and Blockchain allows access to them with just one private key

Since the addresses of several cryptocurrencies from multiple networks are compatible. The cryptocurrency users occasionally make mistakes and transmit their funds to the wrong network. Below I will be discussing different recovery methods for various networks.

You can use network explorers to assist you. You may verify that the transaction got delivered to the address you specified.

Bitcoin to Bitcoin Cash Address - Recovery

Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are two distinct cryptocurrencies that operate on two separate blockchains and are incompatible. The funds would not reach the recipient if you exchanged transactions between two networks by mistake.

Solution: To get the funds back, you’ll need to contact the exchange or wallet you used (You should have the transaction ID ready with you). The support staff will charge you a refundable transaction fee if the assets can get recovered. If you already have the BCH address, you may recover your asset by importing your private key into a Bitcoin wallet.

Ethereum Classic to Ethereum – Recovery

Ethereum and Ethereum Classic are two different cryptos. Your transaction will show confirmations, but no cash will arrive in your wallet if you mistake doing transactions between them.

Solution: If you control the private key to that ETH address, you must send all your ETC out of your ETH wallet without sending any ETH to recover your assets.

Bitcoin to Ethereum – Recovery

Bitcoin cannot get sent to an Ethereum wallet, and Ether cannot get sent to Bitcoin. Bitcoin transmitted to Ethereum wallets is frequently lost and unrecoverable. A few examples exist, such as the WBTC ERC20 token.

Solution: If you send WBTC to an Ethereum address, you can request that the exchange restore the tokens to your Ethereum address if the exchange does not support them, as previously stated.

Ethereum to Binance Smart Chain - Recovery

BSC and Ethereum transactions involving deposits and withdrawals get governed by the ERC-20 and BEP-20 token standards. ERC-20 is only available on Ethereum, whereas BEP-20 is only available on the Binance Smart Chain. 

The tokens will land at the same wallet address on the specified network if you send an ERC-20 token to a BEP-20 token or vice versa. You have three alternatives for recouping funds in this case.

Solution#1: Follow this Solution If the Wallet Support Both BSC and Ethereum

If your wallet supports both ERC-20 and BEP-20 tokens, you’ll have quick access to them on the wallet’s list. If the coin you’re looking for isn’t listed, you’ll need to enter its token contract into your wallet.

Note: You have two solutions for returning your token to its original Blockchain: Binance Bridge or the manual way.

Solution#2: Follow this Solution If Your Crypto Wallet Supports only BSC or Ethereum and You Own the Private Key

Because the external wallet will be available from a separate application, you’ll need to import your wallet’s private key into a new wallet that supports both blockchains. If you unintentionally send ETH to BSC, follow these procedures.

  • Step#1: Open your wallet, choose Import Account, and fill in the missing crypto address wallet’s private key.
  • Step#2: You’ll next need to manually add the BSC network to your wallet account by giving Custom RPC.
  • Step#3: To query information from BSC’s Blockchain and submit transaction requests, you’ll need to provide these details. The information you’ll need to supply is as follows if its ETH to BSC:
 

Network Name: BSC Mainnet

New RPC URL: https://bsc-dataseed1.binance.org/

ChainID: 56

Symbol: BNB

Block Explorer URL: https://bscscan.com/

  • Step #4: Now, go to your wallet and add the proper token contract. —Binance Smart Chain network —Copy the token contract from bscscan.com
  • Step#5: Your missing ETH tokens should now be visible in your wallet balance.
 

Note: These steps will work for non-custodial crypto wallets like Trust Wallet, Math Wallet, SafePal, Metamask, and TokenPocket.

Solution#3: Custodial Wallet Or Crypto Exchange Support

Suppose you deposit tokens into a Custodial Wallet or a Crypto Exchange; In that case, If a user loses their private key or mnemonic seed, you will lose access to your wallet, with no backup or recovery options. Binance will not assist you in recovering your cryptocurrency if you use your Binance account for these kinds of wallets. You must seek assistance from a Custodial Wallet or Crypto Exchange in exchange for access to your private keys. Probably, you won’t be able to get your money back without support. Specific custodial wallets may assist and grant access to private keys for a price. You may then import the private key into another wallet that supports both blockchains after you’ve obtained it.

Bottom Line

It would be best if you were exceedingly cautious while conducting transactions on the Blockchain. The concept of anonymity appeals to many people, but it has the disadvantage of extending no assistance because there is no intermediate party. It’s unlikely that you’ll get your money back if you don’t use a well-known crypto exchange or wallet.

But your crypto may get recovered using a regular wallet and crypto exchanges with a bit of effort and a recovery charge. However, most people cannot recall their addresses, and they will likely make a mistake while utilizing the address. So, before moving any crypto to your chosen exchange or wallet, always check whether or not the wallet in which you’re sending crypto to can support the type of crypto you’re sending. 

Before transferring more significant amounts, I recommend starting with a tiny test transaction and validating that the item arrives at your recipient’s address.

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Dave Miller with Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller

IT Consultant at Online Cloud Security

Dave Miller is an IT Consultant for Online Cloud Security and has over 7 years of experience in the Information Technology space. He also specializes in repairing laptops & computers. In his spare time, he loves to talk about new technologies and hosts monthly IT and Cyber Security meetings in the Houston area.

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About Online Cloud Security:

Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information. 

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Online Cloud Security Logo (500x500px)

About Online Cloud Security

Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information. 

Recent Posts: