When depositing or withdrawing cryptocurrency, you may sometimes be asked to include a tag or memo.
Tags and memos are an important part of some crypto transactions. If they are required and not included correctly, your funds may be delayed or, in some cases, permanently lost.
This article explains what tags and memos are, when you need them, and why they matter.
What is a tag or memo?
A tag or memo is an additional identifier that works together with a wallet address.
Some blockchain networks use a shared wallet address for many users. The tag or memo tells the platform which specific account the funds belong to.
It is important to understand that a tag or memo is not a description or message. It is a required part of the wallet address.
Simple analogy
Think of a wallet address like a street address for an apartment building.
The wallet address is the building address
The tag or memo is the apartment number
Without the apartment number, the delivery arrives at the building, but no one knows who it belongs to.
When are tags and memos required?
Tags and memos are generally required when sending crypto to a centralised exchange, such as Digital Surge, for certain assets.
Common examples include:
XRP (Ripple) which uses a destination tag
XLM (Stellar) which uses a memo
When you generate a deposit address in Digital Surge, we will clearly show whether a tag or memo is required. If one is provided, it must be included exactly as shown.
What happens if you do not include a required tag or memo?
If a tag or memo is required and is missing or incorrect:
Your deposit may be delayed
Manual investigation may be required
In some cases, the funds may be irrecoverable
Because the blockchain cannot automatically identify the owner of the funds without the correct tag or memo, missing information creates additional risk.
When are tags and memos not needed?
Tags and memos are not required when sending crypto to a personal, self-hosted wallet, such as:
Hardware wallets
Mobile or desktop wallets where you control the private keys
These wallets are uniquely assigned to you, so no additional identifier is needed.
Key things to remember
Tags and memos are part of the wallet details, not optional notes
They are commonly required when depositing to centralised exchanges
Assets like XRP and XLM require them
Missing or incorrect tags can result in delayed or lost funds
Personal self-hosted wallets do not require tags or memos
Need more help?
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team.