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What Is a Memo or Destination Tag?

Memos and destination tags provide additional information used to process certain cryptocurrency transactions. They are common when a service assigns multiple users the same deposit address and uses an identifier to credit the correct account.

Networks such as XRP Ledger, Cosmos, and TON support this additional transaction information. The receiving service decides whether it is required.

Do I Need a Memo when Sending from Gem Wallet?​

The need for a "Memo" depends on the recipient's platform. If the recipient is a centralized exchange, you may need to include a Memo, Destination Tag, or similar identifier to ensure the funds are correctly credited to your account. Before initiating the transfer, carefully verify all necessary details, such as the receiving address and any required tags, to avoid delays or loss of funds.

Here are some examples where a Memo is required:

Coinbase ATOM Deposit Needs Memo Kucoin ATOM Deposit Needs Memo

Here are some examples where a Destination Tag is required:

Crypto.Com XRP Deposit Needs Tag OKX XRP Deposit Needs Tag

warning

Omitting or entering an incorrect memo or destination tag when a receiving service requires one can delay crediting and may require help from that service.

If a transaction was already submitted without the required identifier, follow What to Do If You Forgot a Memo or Destination Tag.

How Gem Wallet Reads an XRP Memo Field​

On XRP Ledger, Gem Wallet decides what you entered in the memo field as follows:

  • A number, such as 12345 or 0, is sent as the Destination Tag. A tag of 0 is valid and is sent.
  • Anything else, such as text, is sent as memo data, which exchanges don't use to credit deposits.
  • Spaces before or after the value are removed, so a tag pasted with extra spaces is still sent as a tag.

The same rule applies to XRP and to tokens on XRP Ledger. If an exchange gives you a destination tag, enter only the number.

note

In versions before 2.114.71, a tag pasted with extra spaces could be sent as memo data instead of a tag, a tag of 0 was dropped, and a text memo on an XRP token transfer was left out. Update Gem Wallet before sending to an exchange that requires a tag.

No Memo Needed for Receiving Crypto to Gem Wallet​

Gem Wallet is a self-custody wallet. When receiving to your own Gem Wallet address, the Receive screen indicates that no memo or destination tag is required for supported memo-based networks.

As shown below, Gem Wallet provides the receiving address to share.

Receive ATOM on Gem Wallet Receive XRP with Gem Wallet

note

Follow the warning displayed on the current Receive screen. This guidance applies to your own Gem Wallet address, not to an exchange or another custodial service.