A receiving address can be correct while the network is wrong. An address might hold 0.5 ETH on an Ethereum layer-2 (L2) network and 0 ETH on Ethereum mainnet. Switching the wallet’s network view does not move that ETH between networks.
For Unitywallet users, this matters when receiving crypto, sending it to another service or moving funds out of an application. The Helpdesk asks users to check both the asset and network before a transfer. Blast’s recent closure shows why the route out of a network also deserves attention.
One address can have different balances
L2 networks help scale Ethereum while maintaining separate transaction records. Each network maintains its own balance for the address.
Your wallet displays those records and lets you authorize actions. The assets are recorded on the blockchain, rather than stored inside the app, as Ethereum’s wallet guide explains.
For a regular Ethereum account controlled by a private key, the same address can work across compatible networks. Smart wallets can follow different rules. The network still identifies where the assets are.
Sending and bridging do different jobs
An ordinary transfer stays on the network where it is made. If a recipient asks for funds on Ethereum, sending from another network to the same address does not turn the transfer into an Ethereum transaction.
Moving value between networks requires a supported process, such as a bridge or cross-chain exchange. Ethereum’s bridge guide explains how bridges connect separate networks. The available route depends on the asset, source network and destination.
Funds deposited into an app may need to be withdrawn before you can move them elsewhere. A deposit can be represented by a token rather than a direct balance of the underlying asset, as Ethereum’s DeFi guide illustrates.
Blast: when a network closes
On November 4, Blast said its L2 had shut down and directed users to an Ethereum recovery portal. The portal covers specified assets and unfinished withdrawals, with separate instructions for some account types.
Do not assume the portal covers every token or app position. Check the project’s instructions for your asset and account type. Keeping your keys and having an available exit are separate things: the network and its contracts determine which recovery actions are supported.
Three checks for a crypto transfer
Match the asset and network at both ends. Check what you are sending and what the receiving wallet or service accepts. A familiar address or token name is only part of that check.
Identify the supported route. Establish whether you need a transfer within one network, a cross-chain service, an application withdrawal or a project-specific recovery process. Check its current availability before signing.
Confirm arrival after sending. Unitywallet’s history shows available transaction details, including a hash. Check the relevant network’s explorer; for a cross-network operation, confirm the destination transaction as well as the source transfer.
Treat the asset, network and address as one set of transfer details. Your wallet brings access to supported networks into one app; the network still determines where a particular balance can be used.
