Whether you're new to digital assets or a seasoned user, understanding the process of withdrawing cryptocurrencies is essential for managing your funds effectively. This FAQ will take you through the fundamentals and equip you with the knowledge you need to complete a crypto withdrawal.
For a comprehensive overview of our crypto withdrawals policies, review our Transfer Services Policy.
Can I withdraw any kind of cryptocurrency to an external wallet?
You are able to withdraw Tier 3 cryptocurrencies to external wallets directly from your Uphold account.
Uphold classifies supported assets into Tiers. Tier 4 assets allow buying, holding, sending, or selling. Once Uphold enables full support of an asset's blockchain, it upgrades to Tier 3, enabling deposits and withdrawals in addition to all Tier 4 functions. See our transparency page for a full breakdown of our supported Tier 3 and Tier 4 assets.
How do I withdraw crypto to an external wallet?
To withdraw your crypto to an external wallet, follow these steps:
Important Notes:
- Once you confirm a transfer, the order instruction is considered final by Uphold. You will not be able to change, modify, edit, or cancel the confirmed transfer order. Therefore, you must carefully review all details before confirming.
💡 Tip: Withdrawing or trading your full asset balance?
Use the "Max" button. Selecting "Max" automatically calculates applicable fees so you can:
- Prevent Failed Transactions: Avoid errors caused by manually calculating fees.
- Clear Your Balance Completely: Prevent small leftover fractions ("crypto dust") from remaining in your account.
Do I need a destination tag or memo?
Most networks don't require one, however some networks (like XRPL and Stellar) require a Destination tag/memo. Be sure to include it to avoid delays or loss of funds.
Are there fees for crypto network withdrawals?
Network withdrawals are subject to a network fee, which is determined by the blockchain. In some cases, an additional Uphold fee may also be applied, depending on the specific blockchain, network conditions, or asset. For a complete breakdown of applicable fees, please consult our Fees, Limits & Processing times page.
When is a crypto withdrawal considered executed or irreversible?
Once a transfer order is confirmed and passes all our preliminary checks, Uphold will proceed to relay your confirmed transfer to the blockchain network. Uphold considers a withdrawal executed as soon as the transaction is validated on-chain and added to the first available block.
Uphold does not exercise any control over the networks supported and will consider your transaction completed as soon as it executes your transaction. You should be aware that a transaction becomes irreversible on-chain only when the settlement finality time of the network is reached. Different blockchain networks have different rules for when a transaction is considered permanently final. The settlement finality time on each network may differ from Uphold execution time and, for this reason, the execution of a transfer in virtue of its addition to a block does not imply that the transfer is final and irreversible on the blockchain.
To learn more on networks’ expected block time and settlement finality time, please consult our Networks’ Table.
How long do crypto withdrawals take?
The time it takes for crypto-asset withdrawals to be executed and finalized on the blockchain can vary significantly, ranging from a few seconds to several hours.
Before we process and execute your transfer on-chain, we must first successfully complete all necessary preliminary checks and screenings to ensure full compliance with all relevant regulations. Only once these steps are complete will your account be debited and the withdrawal sent to the network.
To learn more about the expected block times for the various networks that Uphold supports, please consult our Network’s Table.