Crypto 101 · Crypto basics
Crypto Addresses Explained: Why the Network Matters
Abstract
An address is a short code derived from a public key that tells the network where to send coins. Each blockchain has its own address format, so an address from one network cannot safely receive coins from another. We show what common addresses look like, how checksums catch typos, and a checklist for sending to the right place.
Keywords: crypto address, network, wrong network, QR code, checksum
1. In plain English
An address is like an account number that you can give to anyone who wants to pay you. It looks like a long string of letters and numbers, and it is created from your public key, so sharing it does not reveal your private key.
The important thing to know is that every network has its own address format. A Litecoin address, a Dogecoin address, an Ethereum address and a Solana address look different and are not interchangeable. If you send a coin to an address that belongs to a different network, the coin may be lost for good.
2. What addresses look like
Table 1. Typical address shapes on networks Scrypt Wallet supports. These are shapes, not real addresses.
| Network | Typical look | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | Starts with 1, 3 or bc1 | Several formats coexist |
| Litecoin | Starts with L, M or ltc1 | ltc1 is the modern format |
| Dogecoin | Starts with D | Base58 text |
| Ethereum | 0x followed by 40 hexadecimal characters | Also used by many tokens on Ethereum |
| Solana | 32 to 44 letters and numbers | Tokens on Solana use the same address as SOL |
3. Go deeper: checksums and tokens
Most formats include a checksum computed from the rest of the address, so a single mistyped character is usually rejected by the wallet instead of sending funds into the void. A valid checksum only proves the address is well formed, not that it belongs to the person you intend to pay.
A token lives on someone else's network. A USDC token on Solana uses your Solana address and follows Solana's rules, including paying network fees in SOL [1, 2]. The same coin name can exist on several networks, so always confirm which network the sender and receiver are using.
4. A quick checklist before you send
- Confirm the network with the recipient, not just the coin name.
- Check the first and last characters of the address after pasting.
- Send a small test amount first when paying someone new.
- Be wary of anyone who changes the address at the last minute; that is a common scam pattern [3].
5. In Scrypt Wallet
Send starts by detecting which coin an address belongs to, and Receive shows the address and QR code for the coin you pick. See the Litecoin wallet page for a concrete example.
References
- Solana Foundation (2024). Transaction fees. Solana documentation: every transaction pays a small base fee per signature, plus an optional priority fee, in SOL. https://solana.com/docs/core/fees
- Solana Foundation (2024). Tokens on Solana. Solana documentation: mint accounts, mint authority, freeze authority; with no mint authority the mint has a fixed supply. https://solana.com/docs/core/tokens
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission (2023). What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams. Consumer guidance: only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency or guarantee returns; crypto payments are typically not reversible. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-scams
Common questions
Can I use the same address for different coins?
Not safely. Each network has its own format. Sending a coin to an address on a different network usually cannot be undone.
Do addresses have a checksum?
Most do. A checksum lets wallets detect many typing mistakes before a payment is sent, but it cannot tell you whether the address is the one you meant.
General education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are schematic. Protocol parameters are cited to primary sources and can change; verify against the linked source before relying on them.