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Getting started with cryptocurrency means understanding quite a lot of new technology. For beginners, answering simple questions like, “What is a Bitcoin wallet address?” is essential to staying informed and safe when navigating the growing digital world of crypto.
We’re here to help you answer those basic questions and start your Bitcoin journey off right.
Read on to learn more about Bitcoin wallet addresses, how they work, and what you need to know when opening up your favorite wallet app to send or receive coins.
A Bitcoin wallet is a digital tool that allows you to securely manage, send, and receive Bitcoin. There are many different types of wallets, many balancing ease-of-use with advanced security features. They connect to the Bitcoin network and allow the user to interact with the public Bitcoin ledger.
Think of it less like a physical wallet holding cash, and more like your personal portal to the crypto world.
It’s crucial to understand that your wallet doesn’t physically hold your Bitcoin. Rather, your Bitcoin exists on the public blockchain and your wallet gives you access. The most important job of your wallet is to protect your private keys.
What is a private key?
A private key is your secret password for spending Bitcoin and accessing a wallet. It’s a long alphanumeric phrase that is used to unlock a wallet and verify transactions. For most users, a seed phrase, represented by a 12 or 24-word phrase (also known as a recovery phrase), is tied to their private key and account access. This phrase acts as a user-friendly, master key to your entire wallet. If you lose it, you lose your Bitcoin.
Here are some of the core functions of a Bitcoin wallet:
If you want to learn more about how the Bitcoin network works, check out our blog all about Bitcoin transactions.
To view and interact with a Bitcoin wallet, you usually use a wallet app. These simplify the process by providing an easy-to-use interface alongside other features.
There are hundreds of different wallet apps out there.
For the purpose of interacting with one of our Bitcoin ATMs, consider the Bitcoin Depot wallet, housed inside the Bitcoin Depot mobile app (available on iOS* and Android*). It’s a non-custodial wallet, meaning you have complete control over your coins.
For more information, explore our article all about the different types of Bitcoin wallets.
A Bitcoin wallet address is a unique string of letters and numbers that act as your public account number for receiving Bitcoin. It is completely safe to share this address with others so they can send you Bitcoin.
There are a few different types of Bitcoin wallet addresses:
In most cases, the Bitcoin wallet app you choose will offer a unique QR code for easy scanning. This means you won’t have to manually enter your address when sending or receiving Bitcoin.
Mistakes on the Bitcoin network are permanent. Even a single letter or number out of place on a wallet address can result in lost funds.
It’s recommended that, when possible, scan wallet QR codes to limit the chances of mistakes.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that your Bitcoin wallet address is your public address. You can share it without worry. But, your private keys and seed phrases are not. They should be kept private at all times as they allow access to your wallet.
Your wallet creates your public address from your secret private key using one-way cryptography* (explore cryptography at river.com). This means it is mathematically impossible for someone to figure out your private key just by looking at your public address.
Bitcoin wallet addresses work by serving as public endpoints for transactions on the blockchain. You provide your address to receive funds, and you use a recipient's address to send funds, with every transaction being publicly recorded.
The transaction works as follows:
That’s the short version of how a Bitcoin wallet interacts with the Bitcoin network. In practice, though, the process is quite complex, leveraging several key technologies to allow coins to safely go from one wallet to another.
We cover the process in other blogs listed above, so be sure to explore those for more information.
There you have the basics of a Bitcoin wallet address. It's an integral part of interacting with the Bitcoin network and an essential tool for anyone wanting to engage with the popular cryptocurrency.
As we touched on earlier, a Bitcoin wallet is a must if you want to make a purchase at one of our Bitcoin ATMs.
When you make a purchase, you’ll enter your wallet address at the kiosk. After your transaction is complete, the purchased Bitcoin will be sent to that wallet address. Keep in mind that you should only ever send Bitcoin to a wallet address you own. Never send from a Bitcoin ATM to a stranger’s wallet.
To get started on your next transaction, find one of our over 9,000 Bitcoin ATMs (as of August 2025) across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
*The information provided above is for informational purposes only. The inclusion of any particular 3rd party site does not imply an endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership between Bitcoin Depot and the 3rd parties listed above. While Bitcoin Depot endeavors to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information provided, we do not guarantee the reliability of any 3rd party’s information.