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To get started with Bitcoin Cash (BCH), set up a wallet that explicitly supports BCH, back it up before adding funds, acquire BCH through a service available in your location, and verify the BCH network, destination, and amount before sending. Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin (BTC) are separate networks, and transactions are irreversible, so a BTC address is not a substitute for a BCH address.
What you need to know before getting BCH
BCH is recorded on the Bitcoin Cash blockchain. A wallet manages the keys that let you spend it; in a self-custody wallet, you control those keys and must protect the recovery information. This differs from a custodial account, where a provider holds the keys on your behalf.
Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin are distinct networks. Choose a wallet and destination specifically for BCH, and do not send BCH to a BTC address unless the receiving service explicitly confirms it supports that exact route. Bitcoin.com describes both BCH and BTC transactions as irreversible, so an incorrect transfer may not be recoverable. See its transaction guidance.
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Choose a BCH wallet
Wallets are available in mobile, desktop, browser, and hardware forms. Choose based on the devices you use, how you plan to access your keys, and whether the wallet’s backup and recovery process is practical for you. A wallet directory can help identify options, but a listing is not an independent security audit.
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- BITCOIN EXCLUSIVE, PHONE VERIFICATION: Bitkey is designed from the ground up exclusively for bitcoin — a dedicated hardware wallet for secure bitcoin storage. Approve transactions with a tap using your phone and NFC. No device screen is required.
- SELF-CUSTODY, NO EXCHANGE OR CUSTODIAN REQUIRED: You hold two of the three keys in the Bitkey system – one on your phone and one on your Bitkey device. The third is stored on Bitkey’s server and cannot move your bitcoin on its own.
- NO SEED PHRASE: Set up and use Bitkey without creating or storing a seed phrase.
- 2-of-3 MULTISIG: Three keys are stored separately across your phone, Bitkey device, and Bitkey’s server. Any two keys are required to move your bitcoin.
- BUILT-IN RECOVERY: Encrypted backup and recovery tools can help you regain access if you lose your phone or Bitkey device. You can also designate a Recovery Contact.
- Self-custody wallet: You control the keys and are responsible for securing the recovery credentials.
- Custodial account: A service controls the keys; review its access, withdrawal, and recovery terms.
- Hardware wallet: A physical device may suit people who want keys stored separately from a regularly used phone or computer. It is optional for a first BCH transaction.
Check that BCH support is explicit, that the wallet is available for your device and region, and that you understand how its recovery works. The BCH wallet directory is one place to find wallet listings; it does not rank them by security. For an example of a manufacturer’s BCH hardware-wallet workflow, see Ledger’s Bitcoin Cash wallet information.
Back up the wallet before funding it
Set up the wallet using its official instructions and complete its recovery backup before you buy or receive BCH. Store recovery information privately and securely. Never share a recovery phrase or private key with someone who is sending you funds: the sender needs your BCH receiving address or QR code, not credentials that can authorize spending.
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If you lose access to a self-custody wallet and do not have a valid backup, you may be unable to recover access to the funds. Bitcoin.com explains wallet setup, backup, and receiving in its Bitcoin Cash wallet guide.
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Acquire BCH through an available route
Common routes include wallet apps, websites, and peer-to-peer services. Which options you can use depends on where you live and on each provider’s current rules. Before choosing one, check whether it serves your location, whether it holds the funds in custody, what identity checks it requires, what fees or exchange-rate spread apply, and whether you can withdraw BCH to your own wallet.
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- Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
- Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
- Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
- Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Bitcoin.com outlines these acquisition categories in its Bitcoin Cash beginner guide. Its page says a typical BCH transaction fee is less than one penny, but that is a general claim, not a guaranteed quote for your transaction. Your wallet should show the network fee before you confirm.
Receive BCH safely
- Open the wallet and select Bitcoin Cash (BCH), not Bitcoin (BTC).
- Choose the receive option and copy the BCH address or display its QR code.
- Share only that address or QR code with the sender. Check that the sender’s wallet is also set to BCH before they confirm.
- Wait for the incoming transaction to appear in your wallet, following the wallet’s displayed status.
Bitcoin Cash addresses commonly use the CashAddress format, often beginning with bitcoincash:; legacy formats may also appear. Confirm that the address is recognized as BCH by the wallet you use. Addresses and their on-chain activity can reveal public transaction history, so consider privacy when reusing an address. The wallet’s receiving instructions explain the address and QR-code workflow.
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Send BCH for the first time
- Open your BCH wallet and select the send option.
- Enter or scan the recipient’s BCH address. Confirm with the recipient that it is a Bitcoin Cash destination, not a BTC address.
- Enter the amount and review the recipient, network, amount, and fee shown by the wallet.
- Confirm only when the details are correct. For a first attempt or an unfamiliar workflow, you may choose to send a small test amount first; this is a precaution, not a guarantee that an incorrect transfer can be recovered.
Bitcoin.com’s wallet guide describes sending and says the fee is displayed before confirmation. Because a confirmed BCH transfer cannot generally be reversed, verify the details before approving it.
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Quick checks before you confirm
- The wallet and receiving address are for BCH, not BTC.
- The recipient address matches what the recipient provided.
- The amount and displayed network fee are acceptable.
- Your wallet backup is complete, and recovery credentials have not been shared.
- You understand that a confirmed transfer may not be reversible.
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