How to Send Bitcoin from Binance to a Ledger Wallet

Withdrawing Bitcoin from Binance to a Ledger gives you self-custody of your keys. The process is simple, but Binance offers multiple networks for BTC withdrawals, and picking the wrong one sends wrapped tokens instead of real Bitcoin.

Before You Start

• A Binance account with Bitcoin balance and 2FA enabled
• A Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax) with the Bitcoin app installed
• Ledger Live installed and synced with your device
• Access to your email and phone for Binance withdrawal verification codes

When Binance asks you to select a withdrawal network, always choose "Bitcoin (BTC)." The BEP-20 and BEP-2 options send wrapped BTC on Binance's chains, not real Bitcoin. Your Ledger's Bitcoin app cannot see wrapped tokens, and recovering them requires advanced steps.

How to Send Bitcoin from Binance to Ledger

1. Connect your Ledger and open the Bitcoin app. Plug in via USB (or Bluetooth for Nano X), enter your PIN, and navigate to the Bitcoin app on the device.
2. Open Ledger Live and click Receive. Select your Bitcoin account and click Continue.
3. Verify the address on your Ledger screen. Ledger Live shows an address: confirm the exact same address appears on your Ledger's physical display. This protects against malware.
4. Copy the verified address. Click the copy button in Ledger Live.
5. Log into Binance and navigate to BTC withdrawal. Go to Wallet, then Fiat and Spot. Find Bitcoin and click Withdraw.
6. Paste your Ledger address and select the Bitcoin (BTC) network. Double-check you selected "Bitcoin," not BEP-20 or BEP-2. Enter the amount.
7. Complete Binance security verification. Enter your 2FA code, then the email and SMS verification codes Binance sends.
8. Wait for processing and confirmations. Binance processes the withdrawal (5-30 minutes), then the Bitcoin network confirms it (1-3 blocks, 10-30 minutes). Your BTC appears in Ledger Live once confirmed.
9. Send a small test first. For your first withdrawal, send a small amount (0.0001 BTC). After it arrives in Ledger Live, repeat with your full amount.

Fees and Timing

The small extra cost of the Bitcoin network is worth it: you receive actual BTC that your Ledger can manage natively. Binance's withdrawal fee is fixed and does not change with network congestion. For more on Bitcoin self-custody and multisig wallet security, see our research section.

FAQ

What if I accidentally selected BEP-20?

Your funds went to a Binance Smart Chain address, not Bitcoin. To recover them, install the BSC app on your Ledger via Ledger Live, add a BSC account, and the wrapped BTC tokens should appear. You can then send them back to Binance and withdraw on the correct network.

Can I cancel a Binance withdrawal?

Only before you enter the email/SMS verification codes. Once you submit those codes, Binance processes and broadcasts the transaction. After broadcast, it cannot be reversed.

Do I need to keep my Ledger plugged in while waiting?

No. Once you have the receiving address, you can disconnect your Ledger. Bitcoin arrives at your address regardless of whether the device is powered on. You only need the Ledger connected to view your balance in Ledger Live or send Bitcoin later.

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Always verify addresses on your hardware device, send test amounts first, and never share your recovery phrase. Spark is not affiliated with Binance or Ledger.