Your Coinbase wallet address is a string of letters and numbers you share to receive cryptocurrency
Your Coinbase wallet address is the identifier someone needs to send you cryptocurrency. It looks like a long random string — for Bitcoin, something like 1A1z7agoat2YLZW51Bc5M2ecE2ymVan5Z, and for Ethereum, something like 0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f42bE. You find it by opening Coinbase, selecting the asset you want to receive, and clicking "Receive." The address appears on screen; you copy it and share it with whoever is sending you the coins. Each cryptocurrency has its own address, and each address belongs only to you.
Your address is public information — you can post it anywhere without risk. The only secret you must protect is your private key or seed phrase, which Coinbase never shows you in the Receive section. If someone claiming to be from Coinbase asks for your seed phrase, they are scamming you.
Key Takeaways
- Your Coinbase wallet address is found in the Receive section of the app or website, and it is unique to each type of cryptocurrency you hold.
- You can share your address publicly to receive cryptocurrency, but never share your private key or seed phrase.
- Coinbase generates a new address for each transaction by default, which is normal and does not affect your ability to receive coins.
- If you cannot find your address in Coinbase, check that you have selected the correct asset and that your account is fully verified.
How to locate your address in the Coinbase app
Open the Coinbase mobile app and tap the "Assets" tab at the bottom. Find the cryptocurrency you want to receive — Bitcoin, Ethereum, or whichever coin someone is sending you. Tap on it to open that asset's page. You will see a row of buttons near the top: "Buy," "Sell," "Send," and "Receive." Tap "Receive." The app displays your wallet address as a long string of characters. Below it is a QR code that encodes the same address. You can copy the address by tapping it, or you can show the QR code to the sender and let them scan it.
If you are using Coinbase on a web browser, log in and click "Accounts" in the left sidebar. Select the asset you want to receive. Click the "Receive" button. Your address appears in a box on the screen, along with the QR code. Copy the address by clicking the copy icon next to it. The process is the same whether you are on desktop or mobile — the address you see is yours, and it is ready to share when ready.
Why Coinbase shows you a different address each time
Coinbase generates a new address for each transaction by default. This is a privacy feature, not a sign that something is wrong. Each address still belongs to you and still receives coins into your account. You can use any of these addresses to receive cryptocurrency, and the coins will arrive in the same wallet.
If you prefer to use the same address every time, you can change this setting. In the Coinbase app, go to Settings, then Preferences, and toggle off "Generate new addresses." On the web, go to Settings, then Security, and uncheck "Generate new addresses for each transaction." After you change this, Coinbase will show you the same address each time you tap or click Receive. Both approaches are safe — the choice is yours based on whether you want a new address for each transaction or one consistent address.
The difference between your Coinbase address and your private key
Your wallet address is public information. You can share it with anyone, post it online, or write it on a piece of paper. It is how people send you cryptocurrency. Your private key or seed phrase is different — it is the password to your wallet, and it must never be shared. Coinbase does not show you your private key or seed phrase in the Receive section. If someone claiming to be from Coinbase asks for your seed phrase, they are scamming you. Coinbase employees will never ask for it.
When you set up your Coinbase account, Coinbase generates and stores your private key on its servers. You do not need to know it to receive coins. You only need your public address. Think of it this way: your address is like your mailing address, which you can give to anyone. Your private key is like the key to your mailbox — only you should have it.
What to do if you cannot find your address
If the Receive button does not appear or your address is not showing, check that your account is fully verified. Coinbase requires identity verification before you can receive certain cryptocurrencies. Go to Settings, then Identity Verification, and complete any remaining steps. Some assets also require additional verification steps specific to that coin.
If you have verified your account and still cannot see your address, make sure you have selected the correct asset. Coinbase only shows an address for cryptocurrencies you have added to your account. If you want to receive a coin that is not listed, search for it in the Assets tab, tap it, and select "Add to portfolio." Then go back to Receive and your address will appear. If you still have trouble, contact Coinbase support through the app or website.
Sharing your address safely
You can share your Coinbase address anywhere — email, text message, social media, or in person. There is no security risk in doing so. The address alone cannot be used to access your account or move your coins. Someone who has your address can only send you cryptocurrency; they cannot withdraw from your wallet.
The only time you need to be careful is when you are copying and pasting an address. Malware on your computer can replace the address in your clipboard with a scammer's address, so the coins go to the wrong place. Before you paste an address, check that the first few and last few characters match what you copied. If you are receiving a large amount, ask the sender to confirm the address before they send.
Using a QR code instead of typing the address
The QR code next to your address is a visual representation of the same information. If the sender has a mobile wallet, they can open their camera or wallet app, point it at your QR code, and scan it. The address is automatically filled in, which eliminates the risk of typing it wrong or pasting a malicious address. QR codes are especially useful when you are receiving cryptocurrency in person or over video call.
You can also save a screenshot of your QR code and send it to the sender. They can scan the screenshot from their phone or computer. This is faster and safer than typing out a long address by hand. Many people prefer QR codes for this reason — there is no room for human error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Coinbase address to receive different types of cryptocurrency?
No. Each cryptocurrency has its own address format. Your Bitcoin address cannot receive Ethereum, and your Ethereum address cannot receive Bitcoin. Always check which coin the sender is sending and use the address for that specific coin. Sending the wrong type of coin to the wrong address usually results in the coins being lost permanently.
What happens if someone sends cryptocurrency to my address by mistake?
If they sent the correct type of coin to your address, it arrives in your Coinbase account and belongs to you. If they sent the wrong type of coin to your address, it is usually lost and cannot be recovered. This is why it is important to double-check the address and the coin type before sending.
Do I need to do anything to receive cryptocurrency after I share my address?
No. Once you share your address, the sender can send coins whenever they want. The coins arrive in your Coinbase account automatically. You do not need to accept them or confirm anything. Your account will show the incoming transaction, and the coins will be available after the blockchain confirms the transaction, which usually takes a few minutes to an hour depending on the network.
Is my Coinbase address the same as my wallet address if I transfer coins to an external wallet?
No. Your Coinbase address is only for receiving coins into your Coinbase account. If you transfer coins to an external wallet — a hardware wallet, a different exchange, or a self-custody wallet — that external wallet has its own address. You cannot use your Coinbase address to access coins stored elsewhere.