What does a crypto address QR code contain?
A QR code encodes text. It may contain only an address or a URI that also requests a network, asset, amount or function.
Worked example
| Decoded content | Meaning | Check |
|---|---|---|
| 0x + address body | Bare EVM address | Network is still missing |
| ethereum:target@chain-id… | EIP-681 URI shape | Target, chain and requested operation |
| Unfamiliar web URL | Website link | Do not assume it is a receive address |
Read the decoded request
Scan with the intended wallet and inspect its preview. A QR image cannot prove who created it. Compare the decoded destination with the recipient’s original receive screen; a sticker or replaced image can encode another destination.
Keep parsing separate from approval
Some payment URIs include token transfer parameters or contract calls. The human-readable preview must show the operation as well as the target. This site does not generate payment requests or initiate transactions.
Common pitfalls
- The QR format does not add a cryptographic identity guarantee.
- Do not approve a connection or signature merely to reveal a public address.
Related references
Primary sources
Examples explain identifiers. They are not investment recommendations.