Step by step: get a receive address on your Ledger
How to get a receive address (step by step):
- Connect your hardware wallet to the companion app (for many users that will be Ledger Live) or open the external wallet that supports the device.
- Open the account for the coin you want to receive (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.).
- Choose "Receive" or "Get address". The app will request your device to show the address.
- Verify the full address on the device screen. Read it. Compare the first and last characters. Never rely on the clipboard alone.
- Copy the verified address and paste it into the sending platform.
Verifying the address on the device is not optional. What I've found is that device verification catches clipboard or browser-based tampering (yes, that happens).
Send from an exchange: Coinbase and Binance (what to watch for)
The mechanics are similar across exchanges: get the receive address, paste into the exchange withdrawal form, set the network, confirm.
Step-by-step (example flow):
- On Ledger: get and verify the receive address for the specific asset.
- On the exchange: open Withdraw/Send, paste the address, choose the network (ERC-20 vs BEP-20 vs native chains), set the amount, enable 2FA, confirm.
- Send a small test amount first. Check the blockchain explorer for confirmations.
Why does Binance charge me to transfer to Ledger wallet? Exchanges charge withdrawal fees to cover blockchain miner/validator fees and their own processing. On Binance you also choose the transfer network — each network has a different underlying fee. That selection affects the charge you see. If you pick the wrong network, you could pay more or, worse, lose funds if the destination doesn't support that chain.
Send Coinbase to Ledger? The same rules apply. Coinbase often uses simple UI flows, but you still must pick the correct chain and verify the address on-device.
But be careful: if an asset exists on multiple networks (for example, a token on both an Ethereum-compatible chain and a Binance-compatible chain), make sure the Ledger account you created supports that network and the external wallet you use will display it.
Send from a software wallet (Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Phantom)
If you're moving from Trust Wallet to Ledger, treat it like an exchange send: get the Ledger receive address, verify it on-device, and then send from Trust Wallet.
What I do in practice:
- Open Ledger and the target account. Copy the receive address after verifying on-device.
- Open Trust Wallet -> Send, paste the address, confirm network and gas fee, and broadcast.
Remember: you are moving the private keys, effectively. Don't export private keys to random apps. Send funds instead of importing private keys when possible.
If you use MetaMask with Ledger: connect the hardware wallet to MetaMask and select the Ledger account to send from or receive to; for many ERC-20 tokens you may need to use MetaMask as the interface while the Ledger signs transactions. See using-ledger-with-wallets for more.
Quick comparison: exchange vs wallet transfers
| Source |
Ease |
Network choices |
Common pitfall |
Suggested first step |
| Coinbase (exchange) |
Simple UI |
Fewer network choices (often auto) |
Not verifying address |
Verify address on device, send test amount |
| Binance (exchange) |
Advanced options |
Many networks (BEP-20, ERC-20, etc.) |
Choosing wrong network, higher fees |
Confirm network & fees, small test send |
| Trust Wallet / MetaMask (software) |
Fast, on-device signing possible |
Depends on wallet |
Clipboard phishing, wrong token standard |
Connect Ledger when possible, test send |
Common mistakes and how to troubleshoot
I still see three recurring errors in my testing:
- Sending on the wrong network. If the token exists on multiple chains, you must send on the chain the Ledger app (or chosen wallet) supports.
- Not checking memo/tag. Some chains require a memo — missing it can mean funds are lost. (Always check the exchange's withdrawal form.)
- Not verifying the address on the device. A browser extension or clipboard can be compromised.
If a transfer is stuck or missing: check the transaction on the appropriate block explorer first. If the exchange shows "completed" but no credit appears in Ledger Live, confirm you used the right address and network and check whether the asset is supported in supported-coins-networks. Then open troubleshooting-connectivity or transaction-issues for platform-specific tips.
And if you bought your hardware wallet secondhand or from an unofficial seller, stop. See buying-safely-and-supply-chain.
Advanced: passphrase, multisig, and inheritance basics
Want more security? You can use a passphrase (a 25th word) to create hidden accounts. You can also use multisig setups to spread signing power across devices and participants. Both increase resilience but also complexity.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover my crypto if the device breaks?
A: Yes. If you have your seed phrase (and passphrase if used), you can restore on a compatible hardware wallet or supported wallet that accepts the same derivation. See restore-recovery-phrase.
Q: What happens if the company behind my hardware wallet goes bankrupt?
A: Because crypto is non-custodial, your private keys are yours. The device maker going away doesn’t change that — but it can affect firmware support and companion apps. Read company-bankruptcy-what-happens.
Q: Is Bluetooth safe for a hardware wallet?
A: Bluetooth adds convenience but also attack surface. For large transfers I prefer USB or air-gapped methods. See bluetooth-usb-nfc-security.
Q: How do I send Ethereum to Ledger?
A: Get an Ethereum receive address from the Ledger Ethereum account, verify on-device, and send via the exchange or wallet using the ERC-20 network if transferring tokens. If you use external wallets like MetaMask, pair them with your Ledger so transactions are signed on-device. See ledger-and-ethereum-defi and ledger-live-guide.
Conclusion & next steps
Transferring crypto to your hardware wallet should be a routine, low-stress task. The pattern is the same: prepare the device, verify the address on-screen, pick the correct network, and send a small test amount first. What I've learned over years of testing is simple: verification habits save money.
Start with these guides: setup-ledger-step-by-step, firmware-update-guide, and seed-phrase-management. When you’re ready, perform a small test transfer and confirm it on-device.
If you want wallet-specific transfer walkthroughs, check our model pages: nano-s-review, nano-s-plus-review, nano-x-review, and ledger-stax-review.
Safe transfers. Verify on-device. Test first.
