What You Need to Receive Bitcoin
To receive Bitcoin, you need a place where the Bitcoin can be sent and that you control. In practice, that means a Bitcoin wallet—software or a device that holds the keys to one or more Bitcoin addresses. When someone sends Bitcoin to an address that your wallet controls, the funds are recorded on the Bitcoin network and show up in your wallet once the transaction is confirmed. If you are new to wallets, see our guide What Is a Bitcoin Wallet? How to Choose and Use One Safely.
You also need a way to get your receiving address to the sender. The address is a string of letters and numbers (or a QR code that encodes it). You do not need to share any secret or password; only the address is required for someone to send you Bitcoin. For background on how Bitcoin works, read What Is Bitcoin? A Simple Guide for Beginners.
Step-by-Step: Receiving Bitcoin
The steps below are the same wherever you are; they are not specific to Gaza or any region. The process is the same whether you receive from a person, a platform, or a service.
- Get a wallet and secure it. Choose a wallet you trust and follow basic security: write down your recovery phrase, store it offline, and never share it. Our guide on Open a Bitcoin Account covers choosing a platform and securing your setup.
- Generate or select a receiving address. In your wallet, use the option to receive Bitcoin. The wallet will show an address (and usually a QR code). You can use a new address each time or reuse one, depending on your wallet and preference; both work for receiving.
- Share the address with the sender. Send them the address as text or the QR code. They will enter it (or scan it) in their wallet or platform when sending. Make sure the address is copied or displayed correctly—sending to a wrong address can mean lost funds.
- Wait for confirmation. After the sender broadcasts the transaction, the Bitcoin network must confirm it. This usually takes from a few minutes to around an hour. Your wallet will update when the transaction is confirmed and the balance will reflect the received amount.
Choosing Where to Receive
You can receive Bitcoin directly into a wallet you control (non-custodial) or into an account on a platform that holds the keys for you (custodial), such as an exchange. Each option has trade-offs: self-custody gives you full control but requires you to secure your keys; a custodial account is often easier to set up but you depend on the platform. For more on buying and receiving options in Gaza and Palestine, see Buy Bitcoin in Gaza.
If you receive into a custodial account, you may later withdraw to your own wallet. If you receive into your own wallet, the Bitcoin is under your control as soon as the transaction is confirmed. This guide does not recommend one approach over the other; it only describes how receiving works.
Safety and What to Verify
Before receiving, confirm you are using a wallet or platform you trust—only download from official sources and avoid links from messages or ads. When sharing your address, send it through a channel you control (e.g. your own message or email) so it cannot be swapped by someone else. If the sender uses a platform, they may ask you to confirm your address or identity according to that platform’s rules; follow the instructions they provide.
Bitcoin transactions, once confirmed, are final. There is no built-in chargeback. So it is important that the sender uses the correct address and that you keep your wallet and recovery phrase secure. For more on wallet safety, see What Is a Bitcoin Wallet? How to Choose and Use One Safely and Open a Bitcoin Account.
Where to Go Next
To set up a wallet or account, see Open a Bitcoin Account. For options when buying or receiving Bitcoin in Gaza, read Buy Bitcoin in Gaza. For other guides, visit our Guides page.
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Content for educational use only. Last reviewed: 2025. For questions, Get in Touch.