To send or receive LINK safely, first check which network the LINK is on, then match that same network on both ends before you move anything. Copy the address, keep a little ETH in the wallet for the fee, and send a small test amount first. The network, not just the address, is what protects the coins.
The reason network comes first is that LINK is not tied to one chain. It began on Ethereum as an ERC-20 token, and it now also lives on other networks and can travel between them (source: Chainlink LINK Token Contracts documentation). An address that looks right on one chain is a different destination on another, so the same coin sent on the wrong network can be gone for good. Knowing what the LINK token is makes that easier to keep straight.
The general mechanics of moving crypto are the same for most coins; this guide is about the part that is specific to LINK, which is the network.
First, know which network your LINK is on
Before you send or receive LINK, find out which network it lives on, because that single fact decides everything else. Most LINK is on Ethereum as an ERC-20 token, using an address that starts with 0x. The same LINK can also exist on other chains, each with its own network setting you have to match (source: CoinGecko).
| Ethereum (ERC-20) | Other chains | |
|---|---|---|
| Address starts with | 0x | Varies by chain |
| Fee paid in | ETH | That chain's own coin |
| Most common for | Exchange withdrawals, first-time holders | Using LINK with apps on other networks |
For most people, LINK sits on Ethereum, which is what an exchange usually sends when you withdraw. The catch is that a 0x address is used by several networks, so an address alone does not tell the whole story, and an address that looks right on one chain is not the same destination on another (source: Ledger Support). You have to know, and pick, the network too. If you are not sure which network your LINK is on, check the platform holding it, since the withdrawal screen names the network. The overview of how to send and receive crypto covers the general habits that apply to any coin, and this guide adds the LINK-specific network detail on top.
How to receive LINK, step by step
To receive LINK, get your receive address from your wallet, confirm which network it is for, and give the sender both the address and the matching network. Receiving does not cost you a fee or need any ETH, so an empty new wallet can still accept LINK the moment it arrives.
- Open your wallet and find the receive or deposit option, then copy your LINK address. On Ethereum this is your 0x address, the same one that holds your ETH.
- Confirm the network the address is for, usually Ethereum for standard ERC-20 LINK. Tell the sender to use that same network.
- Share the address with the sender, or show the QR code if they are nearby. Double-check the first and last characters after pasting.
- Wait for the transfer to confirm on the network. Once it does, the LINK appears in your wallet, and you can add it to the token list by its contract address if it does not show up on its own (source: Etherscan).
One point trips up newcomers: the same 0x address receives ETH and every ERC-20 token, including LINK, so you do not need a separate address for each. What you do need is for the sender to pick the right network. If they send on a different chain than your wallet is watching, the LINK will not appear where you expect, even though the address looks correct.
How to send LINK, step by step
To send LINK, paste the recipient's address, pick the network that matches theirs, make sure you have a little ETH for the fee, and send a small test amount before the full sum. Sending is where mistakes cost money, so slow down for the network and the address.
- In your wallet, choose to send, and select LINK as the asset. Paste the recipient's address rather than typing it.
- Pick the network that matches the recipient's wallet or exchange. This is the step that matters most, since the address alone does not lock in the network.
- Confirm you have a little ETH in the wallet to pay the gas fee, because moving ERC-20 LINK on Ethereum costs a fee paid in ETH, not in LINK.
- Send a small test amount first, and wait for it to arrive. Only after it lands should you send the rest.
- Review the fee and the details, then confirm. Once the network processes it, the transfer cannot be undone.
The test transfer is the single best habit here, and it is worth the few cents it costs. A wrong-network or wrong-address send usually cannot be reversed, so a small test that arrives safely tells you the whole path works before you commit the full amount. Keep in mind that unlike some coins, LINK on Ethereum does not normally use a memo or tag, so you match the network and the address, and that is enough. If you are sending to an exchange that asks for extra fields, follow its exact instructions.
Sending LINK across chains: bridges and CCIP
Moving LINK from one network to another is different from a normal send, because you are not just changing wallets, you are changing chains. You cannot do this by picking a network in a plain transfer; you use a bridge or Chainlink's own cross-chain service, which locks or burns LINK on one chain and issues it on the other.
LINK can travel between chains through Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol, or CCIP, which is Chainlink's own system for moving tokens and messages across networks (source: Chainlink CCIP). The important thing for a beginner is to know the difference: sending LINK to someone on the same chain is an everyday transfer, while moving your own LINK from, say, Ethereum to another chain is a cross-chain move that uses a bridge or CCIP. The two are not the same, and mixing them up is a common source of stuck funds.
How CCIP works under the hood is covered in the guide to Chainlink CCIP, and the wider habits for staying safe when you hold a coin on more than one chain live in multi-chain wallet security. When in doubt, keep LINK on one network until you have a clear reason to move it.
The wrong-network trap and how to avoid it
The most expensive mistake is sending LINK on a network the receiving side does not support, which can lose the coins for good. It happens because a 0x address looks the same across chains, so the address can be perfect while the network is wrong. The fix is a habit: match the network on both ends, and test first.
Here is how the trap springs. You copy a correct address, but you pick the wrong network in the send screen, or the exchange you are sending to only credits LINK on one specific network. The transfer confirms, the address was valid, but the coins land somewhere the receiver cannot reach, or on a chain they were not watching. Because a blockchain transfer is final, there is often no way to get them back. That is why matching the network matters as much as the address, and why the small test transfer is worth the wait every time.
From BloFin's operational view, a lot of people first meet LINK as a traded position rather than a coin they move around, since on BloFin LINK trades as a USDT-margined perpetual that settles in USDT and never leaves the platform as a token. That is a useful distinction: a perpetual position is not something you send or receive on a network at all, while sending and receiving only applies to LINK you actually hold in a wallet. If you are moving real LINK, treat every transfer with the same care, and if you want to understand the risks of holding LINK more broadly, the guide to whether Chainlink is safe is a good next read, as is the starting overview of how to buy LINK.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need ETH to receive LINK, or only to send it?
Only to send it. Receiving LINK is free and does not require any ETH, so a brand-new wallet can accept LINK right away. You need ETH only when you want to send LINK out or use it, because moving an ERC-20 token on Ethereum costs a network fee paid in ETH. That is why a wallet holding only LINK and no ETH can receive more LINK but cannot send any until you add a small amount of ETH for gas. Keep a little ETH on hand for that reason.
How long does a LINK transfer take to arrive?
Usually a few minutes on Ethereum, but it depends on network conditions and the fee paid. A transfer has to be included in a block and then confirmed, and when the network is busy, a low fee can make it slower. Most wallets show the status while it processes. If a transfer seems stuck, check the transaction on a block explorer using the transaction ID before assuming anything went wrong, since it is often just waiting for confirmations rather than lost.
What happens if I send LINK to a correct address but on the wrong network?
The coins can end up unreachable, and often cannot be recovered. Because the same address format is used across several chains, a transfer can confirm on a network the receiver is not watching or that their platform does not support, so the LINK is technically delivered but out of reach. If it went to an exchange, contact its official support before doing anything else, as some can help in specific cases. This is exactly why matching the network on both ends and sending a small test first matters so much.
Can I send LINK straight to another person's exchange account?
Usually yes, but follow that exchange's exact deposit instructions. Get the LINK deposit address from the receiving account, and, just as importantly, use the specific network that account supports, since exchanges often credit LINK on only one or a few networks. Some platforms also use extra fields for certain assets, so read the deposit screen carefully. Send a small test amount first, confirm it is credited, and only then send the rest, because a deposit on an unsupported network may be lost.
Is receiving LINK from someone the same as buying it?
No, they are different actions. Receiving LINK just moves existing coins into your wallet from another person or account, with no purchase involved. Buying LINK means acquiring it on an exchange with money or another asset, which the guide to buying LINK covers. You might receive LINK as a payment, a gift, or a transfer from your own account elsewhere, and in every case the same network-matching rules apply. Whether you buy it or receive it, the safety step of confirming the network is identical.
Does LINK use a memo or destination tag when I send it?
Usually not. LINK on Ethereum is a standard ERC-20 token, so it does not normally use a memo or tag the way some other coins do. You just need the right address on the right network. A few centralized services with shared deposit addresses may ask for an extra reference code, so if a deposit screen shows a memo field, fill it in exactly as instructed. When no memo is requested, matching the network and the address is all you need, plus the usual small test transfer.
Researched and written by the BloFin Academy editorial team with AI-assisted drafting. Updated July 2026. Primary sources include the Chainlink LINK token contracts documentation and the Chainlink cross-chain (CCIP) pages, with independent corroboration from Ledger support, Etherscan, and CoinGecko. All facts independently verified against cited documentation current as of July 2026.
This article is educational and general in nature, not financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrencies like LINK carry real risks, including price volatility, smart-contract bugs, custody mistakes, and the chance of losing funds sent on the wrong network or to the wrong address. Self-custody means you alone are responsible for your keys and recovery phrase. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or trade any asset. Do your own research, and consider speaking with a licensed professional before making financial decisions. BloFin does not provide investment advice.