Sending Crypto to the Wrong Network: A Costly Mistake

Sending cryptocurrency to the wrong blockchain network remains one of the most persistent and costly user errors in digital asset markets, with losses attributed to network mismatches and unsupported chains.  In a fragmented ecosystem where tokens like USDT exist across multiple chains, missteps can leave funds inaccessible or effectively lost forever, even when the transaction appears successful on‑chain. Comprehensive data on losses from sending crypto to the wrong network is scarce, but a 2025 academic study sheds some light. Researchers analyzed 681 confirmed accidental transfers, including wrong-network mistakes, and found total losses of $5.5 million, averaging about $8,000 per