🦊 How to Transfer Coins (MetaMask)

~8 min read · For reference, not a prediction

Before you start — what this guide covers

MetaMask is a 'wallet' app for storing and sending coins. Think of it like a banking app — a tool that lets you check your balance and send funds somewhere else.

There is one big difference from a bank, though: there's no customer service desk to reverse a mistake. Once you send coins, the transaction can't be undone.

That's why this guide focuses on sending coins 'slowly and safely.' Just follow along in order: install → match the network → copy the address → send → understand gas fees → confirm the transfer.

Once you learn it properly, just once, it won't feel hard after that.

⚠️ This guide is for reference only. Every decision and all responsibility for an actual transfer rest with you. Before sending a large amount, always do the 'small test transfer' described below first.

Step 1 — Install MetaMask and store your recovery phrase

You can use MetaMask as a browser extension on your PC (Chrome, Edge, etc.) or as a mobile app.

They're the same wallet — you can create it on one and later import it into the other.

Install only from official sourcesOn PC, get the browser extension from metamask.io; on mobile, install 'MetaMask' from the official App Store / Google Play. Watch out for fake apps from search ads or unfamiliar links. If you enter your recovery phrase into a fake wallet, you could lose all of your coins.
Create a new walletFollow the prompts to create a wallet and set a password. This password is only for opening the app on this device — it is not the key that recovers the wallet itself.
Write down your recovery phrase (seed phrase)You'll be shown 12 (or 24) English words in order. This is the real key to your wallet. Write them down on paper in the exact order and keep them somewhere safe. Even if your device breaks or you delete the app, these words alone let you restore the wallet.

⚠️ Never tell anyone your recovery phrase (the 12–24 words). MetaMask staff, exchanges, and anyone offering to 'help' — if they ask for this, it's 100% a scam. Taking a screenshot and keeping it in the cloud, a messenger, or a notes app is also dangerous. Anyone who has these words can take all of your coins.

💡 The safest bet is to write your recovery phrase by hand on paper and keep it somewhere physically secure, like a drawer or a safe. Making two copies and storing them in different places also protects you against loss.

Step 2 — Match the network (where people make the most mistakes)

Even the same coin can travel over several different 'networks' (routes). For example, USDT (Tether, a coin pegged to the value of the dollar) can be sent over the Ethereum network, or over the Arbitrum, Tron, or BSC networks.

The sending side and the receiving side must be on the same network for the coins to arrive. Even if the address looks the same, the coins get lost if the network is different.

That's why order matters. You don't pick the network — you match MetaMask to the network specified by the receiving side (an exchange or the other person's wallet).

Check the network on the receiving sideAn exchange's deposit screen usually has a 'Network' field. For example: Ethereum (ERC-20), Arbitrum One, BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20), and so on. The network listed here is your reference point.
Select the same network in MetaMaskTap the network name at the top of MetaMask and choose the matching network from the list. Ethereum Mainnet is included by default.
If it's not in the list, add the networkSome networks, like Arbitrum, may need to be added manually. Add it using the exact details from an official source such as the exchange or chainlist, and don't change any numbers (like the chain ID) on your own.

⚠️ A network mismatch is the number-one cause of lost funds. If the receiving side said 'Arbitrum' but you send over the Ethereum network, the coins won't arrive and recovery can be very difficult or impossible. Right before sending, double-check that both networks match down to the letter.

Step 3 — Copy the deposit address from the receiving side

Now it's time to get the 'address' where the coins will arrive. An address is a long, complex string of letters and numbers starting with '0x' (for Ethereum-family chains).

Not even a single character can be wrong, so never type it by hand — use the copy button.

Open the deposit screenOn the exchange or receiving wallet, go to the 'Deposit' or 'Receive' menu.
Select the coin and network firstChoose which coin to receive and over which network, and the matching address will appear. Changing the coin or network changes the address too, so order matters.
Copy the addressTap the 'copy' icon next to the address. If there's a QR code, scanning it between two mobile devices is also safe.
Check whether a memo (tag) is requiredSome coins and exchanges require an additional number called a 'memo' or 'tag' in addition to the address. Ethereum-family transfers in MetaMask usually don't have one, but if the receiving screen has a memo field, be sure to check it and enter it as well. Leaving it out can cause your deposit to go missing.

💡 After pasting the copied address into MetaMask, visually double-check that the first 4–6 and last 4–6 characters match the original. This catches a bad copy, as well as cases where malware swaps the address the moment you paste.

Step 4 — Send coins from MetaMask

Once you have the address ready, let's actually send. If it's your first time, the key is to resist the urge to send a lot — start with a very small amount.

Tap SendIn MetaMask, select the coin you want to send and tap the 'Send' button. At this point, re-check that the network at the top is the one you matched in Step 2.
Paste the recipient addressPaste the address you copied in Step 3. Compare the first and last characters of the pasted address against the original.
Enter the amount to sendFirst, enter a 'small test' amount (a very small quantity) just to confirm it arrives. Check that the coin type and amount are correct.
Check the gas fee, then sendThe fee (gas fee) is shown on the next screen. Review the details and tap 'Confirm' to send.
Confirm arrival, then send the full amountOnly after you've confirmed the test amount arrived at the receiving side should you send the rest the same way.

⚠️ Once sent, coins cannot be canceled or refunded. Check the address, network, and amount one last time before tapping 'Confirm.' Especially for an address you're sending to for the first time, treat a small test as mandatory, not optional.

Step 5 — What is a gas fee?

A gas fee is the fee paid to the network that processes your transfer. Think of it like a shipping charge for a parcel delivery.

It's not taken by the exchange or MetaMask — it goes to the blockchain network itself as the cost of processing the transaction.

You pay the gas fee not in the coin you're sending, but in that 'network's base coin.' On the Ethereum network it's ETH, on Arbitrum it's ETH, and on BSC you need BNB.
So if you only have USDT and not a single bit of ETH, you may not be able to send USDT on the Ethereum network. Keep a little of the gas coin in reserve.
The gas fee isn't fixed — it rises and falls depending on how congested the network is at the time. Ethereum Mainnet can be expensive at times, while places like Arbitrum are usually much cheaper.

💡 If the fee feels burdensome and the exchange supports multiple networks, choosing a cheaper network (such as Arbitrum) is one option. Even then, the principle stays the same: the sending and receiving sides must be on the same network.

Step 6 — Confirm the transfer (the explorer)

Tapping the send button isn't the end. It usually takes the network anywhere from tens of seconds to a few minutes to process.

You can watch the progress yourself on a lookup site called a 'block explorer.' It's similar to checking the receipt for a transaction.

Open the transfer recordIn MetaMask's 'Activity' tab, tap the transfer you just made.
Go to the explorerOn the detail screen, tap the 'View on block explorer' link to open that network's lookup site. (For example, Ethereum uses Etherscan.)
Check the statusIf it shows 'Success/Confirmed' and the confirmation count builds up, it was processed normally. If it shows 'Pending,' wait a little longer.
Do a final check on the receiving sideEven if the explorer shows success, an exchange deposit is only reflected in your balance once it reaches the number of confirmations the exchange requires. Do one final check to make sure it actually landed in the receiving side's balance.

If it still hasn't arrived after quite a while, first check the transaction status on the explorer (success or failure) and whether the network you sent over matched the receiving side's network. Most 'it never showed up' problems come from a network mismatch.

If you're sending coins to an overseas exchange for futures trading, it helps to also check out the → 'How to Trade Futures' guide for what to do after the deposit.

Key safety rules to remember

Never share your recovery phrase (seed phrase) with anyone. If someone asks for it, it's always a scam.
The sending and receiving sides must have the same network, down to the letter.
Don't type the address by hand — copy it. After pasting, compare the first and last characters.
For any place you're sending to for the first time, always do a small test → confirm arrival → send the full amount.
Keep a little of the base coin (ETH, BNB, etc.) in reserve for gas fees.
Transfers can't be canceled or refunded. Do a final check before you Confirm.

⚠️ Let's stress it again: coins sent to the wrong place due to a typo in the address or a network mismatch can disappear forever, and there's no one to get them back from. Don't rush a large amount all at once — build the habit of sending in small pieces, confirming as you go. This guide is for reference, and every decision and all responsibility for any transfer rest with you.

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