Last updated: October 19, 2026
A memo, destination tag or payment ID is an extra number or text that some blockchains (XRP, XLM, TON, ATOM, EOS and others) use to tell an exchange which customer a deposit belongs to — because the exchange uses one shared address for everyone, a deposit without the right memo arrives but can't be credited automatically. If an order or deposit screen shows a memo, you must include it. Sending to your own wallet usually doesn't need one. Swaps with memo coins work like any other, e.g. XRP → BTC.
- 1 shared address, many customers
- Memo = which customer it's for
- Usually recoverable if forgotten
- Never needed for BTC, ETH or XMR
Which coins use memos or tags?
| Coin | Name of the field | Format |
|---|---|---|
| XRP | Destination tag | Number |
| Stellar (XLM) | Memo | Text or number |
| TON | Comment / memo | Text |
| Cosmos (ATOM) and Cosmos chains | Memo | Text or number |
| EOS, HBAR, BNB Beacon (legacy) | Memo | Text or number |
| Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Litecoin | None | Unique address per deposit instead |
Monero once used "payment IDs" for the same purpose; they were replaced by subaddresses, which give each customer a unique address.
When do you need a memo?
- Depositing to an exchange or swap service that shows a memo/tag — always include it.
- Sending to your own self-custody wallet — usually no memo needed; leave it empty.
- Receiving from a swap into an exchange account — enter the exchange's memo as the "recipient memo" field when creating the swap order.
- Receiving into your own wallet — no memo needed.
How to send a deposit with a memo (step by step)
- Create the swap order — e.g. XRP → BTC or XLM → BTC.
- Copy the deposit address and the memo/tag exactly as shown — they are two separate fields.
- In your wallet, paste the address into "To" and the memo into "Memo", "Tag" or "Comment".
- Double-check both before confirming — a wrong memo is as bad as none.
- Track the transaction by its TXID — see tracking a transaction.
Forgot the memo? What to do
The coins reached the service's shared address, so they're usually not lost — but they need manual matching. Contact support with the order ID, TXID, amount and your sending address, and ask for the deposit to be credited or refunded. Expect a delay and sometimes a fee. More troubleshooting in sent crypto to the wrong network and swap stuck. Exchanges with a good track record usually resolve this quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a destination tag?
A number used on XRP to identify which customer a deposit belongs to when an exchange uses one shared address for everyone.
What happens if I forget the memo?
The funds arrive at the exchange but aren't credited automatically. Contact support with the TXID and order ID to have them matched or refunded.
Do I need a memo when sending to my own wallet?
Usually not. Memos are for shared exchange addresses; a personal wallet address is yours alone.
Does Bitcoin or Monero use memos?
No. Bitcoin and Ethereum services generate a unique address per deposit, and Monero uses subaddresses, so no memo is needed.
Is the memo the same as a TON comment?
Yes. On TON, the memo is entered as the transaction comment when depositing to an exchange — see TON to USDT.
Swap memo coins with no account: XRP → BTC, XLM → BTC, ATOM → BTC or best XRP exchanges. No account, no ID, no logs.