How to Send Bitcoin from Coinbase to a Ledger Wallet

Moving Bitcoin from Coinbase to a Ledger hardware wallet gives you full control of your private keys and removes the risk of exchange hacks or account freezes. The process takes about 10 minutes of active work, plus 10-60 minutes of waiting for the Bitcoin network to confirm.

Before You Start

• A Coinbase account with Bitcoin available to withdraw and identity verification completed
• A Ledger hardware wallet (Nano S Plus, Nano X, or Stax) with your 24-word recovery phrase backed up offline
• Ledger Live installed and synced, with the Bitcoin app on your Ledger device

Never share your Ledger recovery phrase with anyone, including Coinbase support. If someone asks for it, it is a scam.

How to Send Bitcoin from Coinbase to Ledger

1. Open Ledger Live and click Receive. Select your Bitcoin account. If you don't have one, click "Add account" and follow the setup. Open the Bitcoin app on your Ledger device when prompted.
2. Verify the address on your Ledger screen. Ledger Live displays a Bitcoin address starting with bc1, 3, or 1. Confirm the exact same address appears on your Ledger's physical screen. This protects against clipboard malware.
3. Copy the verified address. Click the copy button in Ledger Live or scan the QR code. You will paste this into Coinbase next.
4. Log into Coinbase and find Bitcoin. Go to coinbase.com or the mobile app. Select Bitcoin (BTC) from your assets and click "Send."
5. Paste your Ledger address into the recipient field. On mobile, you can scan the QR code instead. Double-check the first and last six characters match what your Ledger displayed.
6. Enter a small test amount first. Send $20-50 to confirm the address works before moving larger amounts.
7. Review the fee and confirm. Check the recipient address, amount, and network fee. Complete 2FA verification and click "Send now."
8. Wait for confirmations. Coinbase shows a transaction ID (TXID). Track it at mempool.space. Your Bitcoin appears in Ledger Live after 1-3 confirmations (10-30 minutes).
9. After the test confirms, repeat with your full amount. Use the same Ledger address or generate a fresh one for privacy.

Fees and Timing

During major price movements, fees can spike and confirmations can stretch past an hour. Check real-time fees at mempool.space before sending. For more on how Bitcoin transactions work under the hood, see our research on Spark and Bitcoin Layer 2.

FAQ

Can I cancel a Bitcoin transaction after sending?

No. Once Coinbase broadcasts your transaction, it cannot be reversed. Bitcoin transactions are final. Always verify the recipient address before confirming.

How long does Coinbase hold Bitcoin before allowing withdrawals?

Bitcoin purchased via bank transfer is typically held for 5-7 business days before Coinbase enables withdrawals. Wire transfers and crypto deposits usually clear faster. Check your Coinbase account for specific hold dates.

What if my Bitcoin doesn't appear in Ledger Live?

Check the transaction on mempool.space using the TXID from Coinbase. If it shows confirmations, sync Ledger Live by clicking the refresh icon. If the TXID shows "unconfirmed," wait: during congestion it can take over an hour. The Bitcoin will arrive once confirmed.

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. Always verify addresses, start with small test transactions, and secure your recovery phrase offline. Spark is not affiliated with Coinbase or Ledger.