Once you understand the steps, you’ll see that sending cryptocurrency is simply a matter of authorizing and recording a transfer on the blockchain.
Before you can send crypto, you need to own some.
This typically involves:
Linking a bank account or card
Buying cryptocurrency through an exchange or a trusted financial institution
Having it deposited into your wallet
With institutions like Old Glory Bank, this step can be simplified through our familiar app and secure processes, helping you confidently enter the crypto ecosystem.
To initiate a transaction, you start in your crypto wallet. Learn more about wallets.
Your wallet allows you to:
View your balance
Select which cryptocurrency to send
Begin a transfer
Behind the scenes, your wallet is preparing to use your private key to authorize the transaction.
Next, you enter the recipient’s public address (their wallet address). This is similar to entering an email address or a bank account number.
Important details:
long and unique
Transactions are irreversible, so accuracy is critical
Best practice: Copy and paste or use a QR code to avoid errors.
You choose how much crypto to send.
Your wallet will typically display:
The crypto amount (e.g., BTC or ETH)
The approximate value in USD
Some wallets also allow you to send the maximum amount and adjust for transaction fees.
Every crypto transaction includes a network fee (sometimes called a “gas fee”).
This fee goes to the network participants (miners or validators), and helps process and secure the transaction. You may see options like:
(slower processing)
Standard fee (average speed)
High fee (faster confirmation)
Fees vary depending on network demand. Through Old Glory Bank’s platform, there are no gas fees for transactions we initiate on your behalf, which include things like on-ramping and off-ramping (subject to daily limits). Transactions you initiate, or that require your approval, will be subject to gas fees. We will always make the fees visible to you before a transaction is processed.
This is the most important step.
When you click “Send”, your wallet uses your private key to create a digital signature, proving that you own the crypto being sent. This process is called signing the transaction.
Key points:
Your private key is never shared
Only the signed transaction is sent to the network
Once signed, the transaction is broadcast to the blockchain network. At this stage, it enters a pool of pending transactions (often called the “mempool”), and network participants begin verifying it.
Validators or miners check:
That you have enough funds
That the signature is valid
That the transaction follows the network rules
If everything checks out, the transaction is approved for inclusion in a block. Learn more about Blockchain.
The approved transaction is added to a block, which is then permanently recorded on the blockchain. This process makes the transaction tamper-resistant, and creates a public, time-stamped record.
You’ll often see:
waiting to be confirmed
“Confirmed” = included in the blockchain
Some networks require multiple confirmations for added security.
Once confirmed, the crypto appears in the recipient’s wallet. They can now use, hold, or transfer it.
From start to finish, this process can take seconds on faster networks like Old Glory Bank’s, or several minutes or more, depending on network speed and fees.
Crypto transactions are secure by design, but user behavior matters.
Here’s how security is maintained:
Built-in blockchain security:
Cryptography protects ownership
Decentralized verification prevents fraud
Immutable records reduce tampering
User-side responsibility:
Protecting private keys
Double-checking addresses
Avoiding scams or phishing
Read more about Security and Personal Responsibility.
For beginners, handling every detail alone can feel overwhelming. That’s where institutions like Old Glory Bank can enhance the experience.
We help by:
Providing a secure, user-friendly interface
Offering fraud monitoring and account protections
Supporting safe on-ramps and off-ramps
Delivering customer service, which purely self-managed wallets often lack
This blend of crypto innovation and banking-grade security helps reduce risk while maintaining access to digital assets.
At its core, a crypto transaction is about finance without intermediaries, enabled by technology and guided by user choices. By understanding each step, you gain confidence not just in how crypto works, but in how to use it safely and effectively in the real world.