Chapter 7

Network Reference

This chapter is a short reference for the ticker and address checks mentioned in the First Transaction chapter. The walkthrough in this book uses Bitcoin. If you are on a different network, the same habits apply—just confirm the ticker and address format match before you send.

Why There Are Multiple Networks

Bitcoin launched as a single network in 2009. Over the following decade, disagreements about how the system should scale led to splits—called forks—that created separate networks with shared history but different rules.

You do not need to master the politics. You do need to know which network you are on and which network your recipient is on.

The three main labels to recognize:

  • BTC (Bitcoin) — the most widely listed on exchanges and apps
  • BCH (Bitcoin Cash) — forked from BTC in 2017, larger blocks
  • BSV (Bitcoin SV) — forked from BCH in 2018, focused on scaling and protocol stability

Each network has its own ledger. Coins on one network cannot be spent on another.

How To Tell Them Apart

Check the label first:

  • if the wallet or exchange says BTC, you are on the BTC network
  • if it says BCH or Bitcoin Cash, you are on BCH
  • if it says BSV or Bitcoin SV, you are on BSV

Then check the receive address format:

  • BTC often uses addresses starting with bc1, 1, or 3
  • BCH often uses the bitcoincash:q... style, though legacy formats also exist
  • BSV often uses addresses starting with 1

If a service simply says “Bitcoin” with no variant, do not guess. Check the ticker, address format, or deposit instructions before sending.

Action Checklist

  • ☐ confirm the ticker
  • ☐ confirm the address format
  • ☐ send a small test amount first when unsure

When in doubt, stop and check. A tiny test send is cheaper than a confusing rescue attempt.