Some mistakes can be fixed and some cannot. If the funds went to an address controlled by an exchange (for example, the wrong network on the same exchange), the exchange may be able to help. If they went to a random private wallet, recovery is usually not possible.
We will tell you honestly which situation you are in before you spend money on it.
Sent to the wrong address
Blockchain transactions cannot be cancelled. Once confirmed, the only way to get funds back is for whoever controls the receiving address to send them back — voluntarily, or because they are legally required to.
That makes the key question simple: who controls the address the funds went to? An exchange, a known company, a person who can be identified, or nobody reachable?
Not every 'wrong address' is an accident. Clipboard-hijacking malware and 'address poisoning' attacks are designed to make you send funds to an attacker's address that looks almost identical to yours.
How it works, step by step
- 1Step 1
Wrong network
You sent a token to the correct exchange deposit address but on a different network (for example, an ERC-20 token to a BNB Chain address). The exchange often controls both, and many have a recovery process.
- 2Step 2
Typo or wrong copy
A character was mistyped or the wrong saved address was used. If the address is valid and belongs to someone, the funds arrived there.
- 3Step 3
Clipboard malware
Malware on your device silently replaces any address you copy with the attacker's address. Everything looks normal until the funds are gone.
- 4Step 4
Address poisoning
An attacker sends you a tiny 'dust' transaction from an address that starts and ends like one you use often, hoping you'll later copy it from your history.
- 5Step 5
Contract address
Tokens were sent to a smart-contract address that cannot send them back. Unless the contract has a recovery function, they may be permanently stuck.
Where the money goes
If the receiving address belongs to an exchange or a known service, there is a party that can be contacted and, if needed, compelled through the courts to return funds.
If it was an attacker (malware or address poisoning), the funds behave like stolen funds: analysts can trace them toward exchanges where preservation requests may be possible.
If it is an unknown private wallet with no further activity, there is usually nobody to act against. We will tell you that plainly.
What to watch out for
An address that 'almost' matches
Always check more than the first and last few characters. Address poisoning relies on people checking only those.
Tiny incoming transactions you didn't expect
Small 'dust' transfers from unknown addresses are often address-poisoning bait. Never copy addresses from your transaction history.
Pasted address differs from copied one
If what you paste is ever different from what you copied, your device may be infected. Stop and scan it.
'Recovery services' promising to reverse transactions
No one can reverse a confirmed blockchain transaction. Such offers are scams.
What to do right now
- 1
Find out who controls the address
Look up the receiving address on a block explorer. Some exchanges' deposit addresses are publicly labelled.
- 2
Contact the exchange in writing
If it was your own exchange or a known one, open a ticket with the transaction ID, network and amount. Ask about their wrong-network recovery process.
- 3
Check your device
If you suspect malware, stop using the device for crypto and have it checked before your next transfer.
- 4
Don't send a 'test' to fix it
Sending more funds to the same address will not help, and may lose more.
What to gather for your case review
- The transaction ID, amount, token and network used
- The address you intended to send to, and the one you actually sent to
- Screenshots of the withdrawal screen, if you have them
- Any reply from the exchange or service involved
Ask for your recovery phrase or private key — never.
How we can help
What we can do
- Identify who controls the receiving address, where that can be determined.
- Make formal requests to an exchange that holds the funds.
- Trace funds taken by malware or address poisoning toward cash-out points.
What we cannot do
- We cannot retrieve funds from a private wallet whose owner is unknown and unreachable.
- We cannot reverse a confirmed transaction.
Frequently asked questions
What information should I have ready?
Whatever you have: transaction IDs (hashes), wallet addresses you sent to, the name and website of the platform, screenshots of chats and of the platform, exchange statements, and your police or CAFC report number.
Never send us your recovery phrase, private keys or passwords. We do not need them.