You receive bitcoin by giving the sender your Bitcoin address, a string of letters and numbers found in your wallet, or by letting them scan its QR code. Whether a friend is paying you back or you're getting paid in bitcoin for work, the sender enters that address and the bitcoin arrives in your wallet once the network confirms it. This guide, part of our Bitcoin learning hub, covers finding your address, sharing it safely, and how long receiving takes.
Receive in the Bitcoin.com Wallet app:
- Open the Bitcoin.com Wallet app and tap Receive
- Select Bitcoin (BTC)
- Copy the address shown, or show the QR code for the sender to scan
What is a Bitcoin address?
A Bitcoin address is a digital identifier that tells the network where bitcoin should be sent. It works a bit like a bank account number and is created by your wallet software. A typical address looks like this:
3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy
Bitcoin address formats
You may notice Bitcoin addresses start with different characters. They all receive BTC, so you can use whichever your wallet gives you, but here's what the formats mean:
13bc1qbc1p13bc1qbc1pMost modern wallets default to bech32. If a sender's older system can't send to a bc1 address, your wallet can usually generate a compatible one.
How do I find my Bitcoin address?
Your address lives in your wallet app. Every wallet is slightly different, but it's always shown under a Receive option. If you don't have a wallet yet, it takes a minute to create a Bitcoin wallet first, and we recommend the self-custody Bitcoin.com Wallet app.
How do I share my Bitcoin address?
You have two easy options:
- Copy and send it. Tap to copy your address, then share it by message, email, or any app.
- Show your QR code. If the sender is with you, they can scan the QR version of your address with their camera, which avoids typing mistakes.
How long does it take to receive bitcoin?
Once the sender broadcasts the transaction, it typically confirms within about ten minutes to an hour, depending on the fee they attached. If you're receiving to a wallet you control, the balance appears as soon as the network confirms it. Receiving to an account on a centralized exchange can take longer, since the exchange waits for several confirmations before crediting your account.
Is it safe to share my Bitcoin address?
Yes. You can safely give your address to friends, family, or anyone paying you. No one can take your bitcoin with the address alone, they would also need your private key, which never leaves your wallet.
There is one privacy point worth knowing. The Bitcoin network is public, so anyone with your address can look it up in a block explorer and see its balance and transaction history. To keep your activity private, use a fresh address for each transaction. Most self-custody wallets, including the Bitcoin.com Wallet, can generate unlimited new addresses at the tap of a button.
Receiving safely: what to check
- Share the right coin's address. A Bitcoin (BTC) address only receives BTC. Give the sender the address that matches the asset and network they're sending.
- Use a fresh address for privacy. A new address per payment keeps your balance and history harder to trace.
- Confirm receipt in your own wallet. Watch the balance update in a wallet you control rather than relying on a screenshot from the sender, and keep a proper wallet backup so you never lose access to what you receive, in line with Bitcoin.org's security guidance.
Receiving Bitcoin with confidence
Receiving bitcoin is the simplest part of using it: find your address, share it or its QR code, and wait for the network to confirm. Use a fresh address when privacy matters, and double-check you're sharing the address for the right coin. When you're ready to move bitcoin the other way, see how to send it, and our guides on buying, selling, and using Bitcoin round out the basics.
