Brand new to bitcoin and need some help

[dudley_tundish]

I just started with Bitcoin and it's a bit confusing. Naturally, after creating a wallet, I want to buy bitcoins and load the wallet. The first thing I'm asked for is my wallet address. How do I find that, please? I don't see it immediately when I open the wallet or any of the tabs.

Thanks.

[BlackHatCoiner]

Which wallet are you using?

This one is the most suggested, here on bitcointalk: https://electrum.org/

[dudley_tundish]

That's the one: Electrum. I followed (I think!) the recommendations and went with that one.

[adzino]

Hey Dudly, you can look at this thread made by Lauda https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1631151.0
Covers almost all kinds of information related to wallets. Has some wonderful suggestion like good practices and so on.

I just started with Bitcoin and it's a bit confusing. Naturally, after creating a wallet, I want to buy bitcoins and load the wallet. The first thing I'm asked for is my wallet address. How do I find that, please? I don't see it immediately when I open the wallet or any of the tabs.

Thanks.

Which wallet are you using? Different wallets have their address located at different places (its usually the first thing you will see though).

Edit: Didn't notice your last post. If its electrum and you are using the standard wallet, the address should be on the "receive" tab "address" tab (look at the receiving address).
Edit: Wanted to say address list not receiving tab. Though you can use the receive tab, but like o_e_l_e_o said, it has other specific purpose.

[dudley_tundish]

Thanks, adzino. I'm using an Electrum wallet. When I open it, I see the wallet name followed by three characters in [square brackets] but I'm totally lost as to where to look for the address.

EDIT: I looked at the "receive" tab, but didn't see anything labeled "address". However, if I look at addresses, I see a list of perhaps 20 "receiving" addresses (the word highlighted in green) followed by a list of perhaps 10 "change" addresses (the word highlighted in yellow). Should I use any one of those "receiving" addresses?

[Bitcoin_Arena]

EDIT: I looked at the "receive" tab, but didn't see anything labeled "address". However, if I look at addresses, I see a list of perhaps 20 "receiving" addresses (the word highlighted in green) followed by a list of perhaps 10 "change" addresses (the word highlighted in yellow). Should I use any one of those "receiving" addresses?

Yeah you can use any of the receiving addresses. The BTC will still end up in you wallet

"Change addresses" are where your BTC balance is sent to in case you create a transaction that does not  spend all the bitcoins in your wallet
For example if bob has 50 BTC in his wallet and wants to send Alice 0.5 BTC. A transaction will be created to spend all the 50 BTC but 49.5 BTC will go to Bob's change address while Alice receives are 0.5 BTC


source: coinguides.org

The Main reason  for this feature in some wallets is just Privacy, so that it becomes a little hard for malicious people go track down exact amount of bitcoins you have received, the ones you have spent and your bitcoin balance

[BitMaxz]

Thanks, adzino. I'm using an Electrum wallet. When I open it, I see the wallet name followed by three characters in [square brackets] but I'm totally lost as to where to look for the address.

EDIT: I looked at the "receive" tab, but didn't see anything labeled "address". However, if I look at addresses, I see a list of perhaps 20 "receiving" addresses (the word highlighted in green) followed by a list of perhaps 10 "change" addresses (the word highlighted in yellow). Should I use any one of those "receiving" addresses?

Make sure you have full control of these addresses before you deposit and make sure that you downloaded it from legit source(Electrum.org)

To make sure that you are using the legit one you can follow this method below on how to verify the Electrum you currently using(You should do this first for best practices and to make sure that you are not using the fake one).
- How to verify Electrum (for Windows, Linux and Mac)
- How to Verify Your Electrum Wallet on Windows

Now, if it's verified as legit then go to the next step to check if you have full control of your wallet.
It shouldn't be show something like this below


But if it show something like this below then you should have full control of this wallet.


Since, you mention 3 characters under the aquare brackets you might be using a 2FA wallet? It looks like this below.

You shouldn't be worry you have full control of your wallet.

For next suggestion to verify is to use the backup seed and verify if you are using the same addresses generated from recent wallet.
Use this under file below "New/Restore"

Then use the backup seed you must be choose

Then next after that, choose this.

Paste the backup seed then click the next.
Then it will show you two option if you keep or disable the 2FA. If you already have the secret key backup you must be choose the "keep" but if you don't have a backup choose "disable"(Take note if choose disable I don't know if it will still show you the correct addresses that you previously created).

[masphie]

I think almost all wallets have the same system, try to find bitcoin and then click.
After that, may be you will see 3 button (trade, withdraw and deposit).
And then click DEPOSIT, and you will see a bitcoin address there.

[lovesmayfamilis]

I think you will gain a lot if you try to post your question in the beginner topic.
I am very pleased with such questions from new participants, but sometimes, acting without certain knowledge, you can expose your funds to loss.
Therefore, a friendly tip, read for a few days how to use the wallet that you have chosen, as well as how to save all important information for future use. Do not hurry.
Feel free to ask questions in this thread. Our friendly team will be happy to answer your questions.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=39.0

[blue Snow]

Should I use any one of those "receiving" addresses?

sure

After that, may be you will see 3 button (trade, withdraw and deposit).

Not almost wallet have trade except exchange wallets, if using electrum or wallet where you own private key, available only deposit and withdraw button.

[Peanutswar]

Welcome to the world of bitcoin.

Are you looking for a wallet that you can save your coins? Go and download to

Code:

https://electrum.org/#download

If you are trying to find where you can buy a bitcoin and another coin you can visit the popular exchange right now which is the binance.

Code:

https://www.binance.com/en

Also, there is a running signature campaign right here which is the best chance that might help you a lot. P.s I'm not promoting those platforms.

Code:

https://www.bestchange.com/

[Twinkledoe]

Should this topic be moved to the beginners board? And hopefully, the OP already got answers to his questions. Also, as others have said, this has been discussed comprehensively in other threads. But there are users above who patiently explained again about the use of electrum. Thanks to them.

Also, if the OP wants to learn more as he is a newbie, he can head to the beginners & help section - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=39.0

A lot of topics are already covered and just read those topics that are of interest to him and he will learn a lot.

[20kevin20]

If you're properly verified your Electrum download (follow @BitMaxz's post above) and installed it, a guide dedicated to beginners in order to understand how Electrum works might come in handy: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3456040.0

Also, make sure you do not store your seed somewhere online and remember that nobody will ever ask for your seed or private keys unless they want to steal your coins. Try to keep it as isolated and safe as possible, as it's the only way you can gain access back to your wallet.

[Alert31]

I just started with Bitcoin and it's a bit confusing. Naturally, after creating a wallet, I want to buy bitcoins and load the wallet. The first thing I'm asked for is my wallet address. How do I find that, please? I don't see it immediately when I open the wallet or any of the tabs.

Thanks.

All comments of some people here in your question can really help you start on how to set up your wallet but as a friendly reminder don't get in a hurry. Learn it first very well, follow the steps mentioned by other members here and if you already familiarized your wallet and you want to buy bitcoin for example in Binance exchange ,you can try to send small amount first. If it was successful then I could say you learned it very well. Be careful always in sending funds and always keep your password and private key in a secured place and don't share it to others so that your funds will become safe.

[batang_bitcoin]

That's the one: Electrum. I followed (I think!) the recommendations and went with that one.

Hey dudley, good choice. Always remember that you should check the version of the one that you're using because the older versions are vulnerable and can be penetrated by hackers/phishers.
The reminder is on the official Electrum website at the top of it. Just for you to avoid what others have experienced. It's a very simple reminder but it will save you from trouble if you're aware of it.

[o_e_l_e_o]

I looked at the "receive" tab, but didn't see anything labeled "address". However, if I look at addresses, I see a list of perhaps 20 "receiving" addresses (the word highlighted in green) followed by a list of perhaps 10 "change" addresses (the word highlighted in yellow). Should I use any one of those "receiving" addresses?

The "Receive" tab in Electrum is used for generating invoices that you can send to other people if you want them to pay you specific amounts of bitcoin or if you want them to pay you within a specific time frame. Most people do not use this function at all.

You are correct in saying you should use one of the addresses marked as "receiving" under the addresses tab. Right click on the first address which has no previous transactions (you can tell by the number 0 in the far right column), and use that as your receiving address. Alternatively, from the second "Filter" drop down at the top, select "Unused" and use the first receiving address. It is good practice to use a different receiving address every time you receive coins to your wallet, as it is good for your privacy.

After you have pasted your receiving address from your clipboard, double check that it is still the same. There exists malware which will change addresses stored in your clipboard in an attempt to steal your coins. Always double check your addresses before confirming any transaction.

[Assface16678]

Good day buddy,
Some of the members are already given the things I want to say and you should try it if you want to visit too about the electrum we have the bitcoin technical discussion and there is a sub-board right there which is electrum where you can see a lot of information related on it and as the guide too.

That's the one: Electrum. I followed (I think!) the recommendations and went with that one.

Hey dudley, good choice. Always remember that you should check the version of the one that you're using because the older versions are vulnerable and can be penetrated by hackers/phishers.
The reminder is on the official Electrum website at the top of it. Just for you to avoid what others have experienced. It's a very simple reminder but it will save you from trouble if you're aware of it.

Also this is the common problem of other members too because they have the lower version of the electrum and some of them doesn't transfer or having some issues with their account but we have different expert members about this so you can freely ask what is your problem.

[TedMosby]

if you need help you can post your problem or find related thread on Beginners & Help.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=39.0

this guide by cointelegraph might useful as well.
https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-for-beginners

this youtube video also will explain you about how to find your wallet address (coinbase).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-WLBsKL1k0

[The Cryptovator]

Take note if choose disable I don't know if it will still show you the correct addresses that you previously created.

Wallet should secure even after lost of 2FA code if OP have seed phrase. After recover via seed phrase correct address as like previous wallet should appear even without enable TrustedCoin 2FA.

Even if TrustedCoin is compromised or taken offline, your coins are secure as long as you still have the seed of your wallet. Your seed contains two master private keys in a 2-of-3 security scheme. In addition, the third master public key can be derived from your seed, ensuring that your wallet addresses can be restored. In order to restore your wallet from seed, select “wallet with two factor authentication”, as this tells Electrum to use this special variety of seed for restoring your wallet.

Source: https://electrum.readthedocs.io/en/latest/2fa.html

Just to notify OP you have to spend some extra fee for 2FA, it will charge by TrustedCoin. You may find more detail about the fee on Trustedcoin website.

[dre1982]

I just started with Bitcoin and it's a bit confusing. Naturally, after creating a wallet, I want to buy bitcoins and load the wallet. The first thing I'm asked for is my wallet address. How do I find that, please? I don't see it immediately when I open the wallet or any of the tabs.

Thanks.

Welcome to the community.

The best advise is to start reading a lot about bitcoin. Just have a look at the beginners section here.

And first start transferring with small amounts just to get used to hit and to learn to know what you are doing exactly.

And please make backups of your wallets.