How to Recover Crypto Sent to Wrong Network​

You picked the wrong network. Now your crypto is floating in blockchain limbo, and you’re wondering if it’s gone forever.

Take a deep breath. You’re not the first person this has happened to, and in many cases, your funds are not lost, they’re just stuck.

This guide will walk you through what really happens when you send crypto to the wrong network, and more importantly, how you might be able to get it back. No complicated tech talk, just simple steps anyone can follow.

Let’s get started.

What Happens When You Send Crypto to the Wrong Network?

When you send crypto to the wrong network, your money doesn’t just disappear. It usually ends up at the correct address, but on the wrong chain.

Here’s a quick example:

Let’s say you want to send USDT from Binance to your MetaMask wallet. You choose the ERC20 network (Ethereum), but accidentally pick BEP20 (BNB Smart Chain) instead. The tokens still go to your wallet address, but now they’re sitting on the BNB Chain, not Ethereum.

Since most wallet addresses are the same across networks, your funds may still be there, just not showing up in the wallet the way you expected.

Step One: Don’t Panic

The first thing to do is stay calm. This happens a lot, and many times it can be fixed.

Before doing anything else:

• Stop sending more crypto from that wallet
  
• Write down what happened, what coin, what network, what wallet
  
• Find the transaction ID (also called TXID) from the exchange or wallet you used
  

Once you know what went wrong, you can start taking the right steps to fix it.

Step Two: Understand Where the Crypto Went

Now that you’ve calmed down, it’s time to figure out where your crypto actually landed.

Here’s what to do:

• Find the transaction ID (TXID) in your sending wallet or exchange history
  
• Use a block explorer to check the network
  
  • For BNB Smart Chain, use bscscan.com
    
  • For Ethereum, use etherscan.io
    
• Paste the TXID in the search bar and see where the crypto was sent
  
• Check if the address shown is your own wallet (like MetaMask or Trust Wallet)
  

If the funds were sent to a wallet you control, recovery is much more likely. If they were sent to an exchange, it depends on that platform’s support policy.

Step Three: Recovering from a Non-Custodial Wallet (Like MetaMask or Trust Wallet)

Good news, if you sent the crypto to your own wallet but used the wrong network, you can usually get it back by doing a few simple things.

Here’s how:

Add the correct network to your wallet:

• In MetaMask, go to Settings → Networks → Add Network
• Choose the one you accidentally used (like BNB Chain or Polygon)
  

Import the token:

• Go to your wallet’s “Import Token” or “Add Custom Token” section
• Copy the token contract address from CoinGecko or the block explorer
• Paste it into the wallet and confirm
  

Check your balance:

• Once the token is added, your missing funds should show up

It might look scary at first, but adding a network and token is quick once you get the hang of it.

Step Four: Recovering from a Centralized Exchange (Like Binance or Coinbase)

If you sent crypto to or from a centralized exchange using the wrong network, recovery is harder, but not always impossible.

Here’s what to do:

Contact the exchange’s support team right away:

• Go to their help page or live chat
• Open a support ticket
  

Be ready to provide details:

• Your exchange username or email
• The coin you sent
• The wrong network you used
• The transaction ID (TXID)
• The wallet address it was sent from or to
• Any screenshots that explain what happened

Some exchanges may be able to recover your funds for a fee. Others might say it’s not possible. It depends on the platform, the coin, and the network.

When You Probably Can’t Recover It

Sadly, not every crypto mistake can be fixed. If the crypto was sent to a wallet or place you don’t control, recovery is unlikely.

Here are a few situations where funds are usually lost:

• You sent to the wrong wallet address entirely
  
• You sent tokens to a smart contract or a burn address
  
• You sent crypto to an exchange that doesn’t support the token or network
  
• You don’t have access to the wallet that received the funds
  

These are tough lessons, but they happen to a lot of people. The best thing you can do is learn from it and be extra careful next time.

Tips to Avoid This in the Future

Sending crypto to the wrong network can be stressful, but you can avoid it by slowing down and double-checking before you click send.

Here are some easy tips to help:

• Always double-check the network before you choose it on the exchange
  
• Send a small test amount first if you’re not sure
  
• Use wallets that show network warnings when things don’t match
  
• Bookmark the correct block explorers like Etherscan or BscScan
  
• Don’t rush, take a few extra seconds to make sure everything is right
  

The more careful you are, the less likely it is you’ll make the same mistake again.

Final Thoughts

Sending crypto to the wrong network can feel like the end of the world, but in many cases, it’s not. If the wallet belongs to you and the token is supported, you can usually get your crypto back with a few simple steps.

If the funds were sent to an exchange, it depends on how helpful their support is. And if they were sent to a completely wrong address, recovery may not be possible.

The best thing you can do is learn from the mistake, take your time, and be extra careful moving forward. Crypto is powerful, but it comes with responsibility.