The short answer
Start with the receiving wallet or deposit page. Match its asset and network exactly on the sending side, including any native-versus-bridged token requirement. Compare fees only among compatible options.
Read the receiving instructions first
Open the destination account and select the asset you intend to receive. Record the network, receiving address, any required memo or tag, and minimum deposit. Use the current deposit page for that account; a network offered for withdrawals elsewhere does not establish deposit support here.
Coinbase’s receiving instructions, for example, require selecting the asset and network before obtaining the address. Other platforms have their own requirements. A saved address without its network is an incomplete transfer instruction.
Match four details before sending
| Detail | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Asset | USDC is not USDT, even if both balances are displayed near one dollar. |
| Network | Ethereum and Base are separate destinations. |
| Token version | Native USDC and a bridged representation can have different deposit support. |
| Recipient | Use the recipient’s receiving address and any required memo, never the token contract address. |
A token name is not a complete identity. Where relevant, compare its contract on the selected network with issuer documentation. Our contract directory links to issuer records; it does not establish exchange deposit acceptance.
What if there is no network in common?
Stop the direct transfer. Changing the sending label cannot make an unsupported deposit work. You need another supported withdrawal option or a separate cross-network service whose output the recipient accepts.
For example, suppose the sender offers Ethereum and Tron for USDT, while the recipient accepts only Ethereum. Ethereum is the compatible direct option. A lower Tron withdrawal quote does not make Tron usable for that destination.
A bridge adds its own transaction process, fees and risks. Ethereum’s bridge documentation explains the additional dependencies. Include the whole route when comparing a bridge against a direct withdrawal.
Compare the amount received, not one advertised fee
For an exchange withdrawal, use the final quote and note whether the fee is deducted from the requested amount or charged separately. For a wallet transfer, include the network fee and any extra transaction required. A swap or bridge may add another cost.
Imagine two compatible withdrawal options for 200 units: one deducts 2 and delivers 198; the other deducts 0.8 and delivers 199.2. The second leaves 1.2 more at the destination. These are arithmetic examples, not current network prices. Use the transfer fee calculator with your actual quotes.
Kraken’s withdrawal documentation directs users to the final confirmation fee because published figures can change.
A test transfer still has to meet the minimum
If a test transfer is practical, keep it above the recipient’s minimum after deductions. A tiny deposit can fail its own acceptance rules: Kraken documents minimum-deposit consequences and directs users to their account for current figures.
Check that the test is credited as the expected token on the intended network before sending the remainder. A successful explorer transaction does not, by itself, prove that an exchange credited your account.
Frequently asked
How do I know which network to choose?
Open the receiving deposit page first and read the networks it offers for that exact asset. Those are your only candidates. Comparing fees before you have that list is how people end up with a cheap transfer that never gets credited.
What if the sender and receiver have no network in common?
Stop the direct transfer. Changing the label on the sending side cannot make an unsupported deposit work. You need a different supported withdrawal option, or a separate cross-network service whose output the recipient accepts.
Is the contract address the same as the deposit address?
No, and confusing the two is expensive. The deposit address is the recipient’s address. The contract address identifies the token itself. Sending tokens to a token contract usually means they cannot be recovered.
Before you act
- Receiving page accepts the exact asset, network and token version.
- Recipient address and any memo came from the destination.
- Net amount meets the deposit minimum.
- The final fee quote and receiving amount are understood.
Sources & further reading
- Coinbase: Steps to receive crypto
Asset, network, address and memo selection for exchange deposits.
- Ethereum: Bridges
Cross-network transfer mechanisms and additional risks.
- Kraken: Withdrawal fees and minimums
The current confirmation quote takes precedence over published fee tables.
- Kraken: Deposit fees and minimums
Deposit minimums apply after fees and can depend on account availability.
Sources checked on 18 September 2026. Network features and platform support can change; check the relevant provider before acting.
AI-assisted editorial content; no independent expert review or transaction verification is claimed. Tokens and bridges carry issuer, market and smart-contract risks. This is educational information, not investment advice. Read our editorial policy.