Why does a cryptocurrency wallet address change when pasted?

If a pasted wallet address differs from the one you intended to copy, stop before authorising the transfer. Copying and pasting avoids some typing mistakes, but is not proof that the final destination is correct.

The behaviour described by readers

1. A user copies a cryptocurrency deposit or withdrawal address from an exchange or wallet.
2. They paste it into another service or a message.
3. The pasted address is different from the original.

The source illustrated the change with xyz123 becoming poi876. These are fictional short examples, not usable wallet addresses.

Clipboard hijacking is one possible explanation

Clipper malware can monitor clipboard content and substitute a different wallet address. Microsoft's Crypto Clipper research documents this behaviour in a Windows campaign. That research supports the general mechanism, not attribution of the older reports on this site to that particular campaign.

A mismatch is a warning requiring investigation, not enough by itself to identify a malware family, its operator or the way it entered the device. The original's assertion that every mismatch proves one specific infection was too categorical.

The address recorded in the original report

TDR9b9zPfr1ceEKZZu17L9HaTab3BWArrB

This is a historical reported address, displayed as plain text only. The original said it had been reported and blocked by exchanges, but did not provide supporting records. Its ownership, blocking status and connection to a particular incident have not been independently verified here. Do not send funds to it or use its absence as proof that a device is clean.

What to check before proceeding

• Compare the entire destination address against a trusted source, not just a few leading or trailing characters. Confirm the intended network as well.
• Stop wallet activity on a device you suspect is compromised. Use a known-clean device to contact the wallet or exchange's official support if needed.
• Update and run trusted security tools and investigate unfamiliar applications or extensions. One scan or a successful paste does not guarantee that a compromise has been removed.
• Do not paste recovery phrases or private keys into websites, comments or chats offering help. Avoid untrusted installers and unsolicited recovery services.

If a transfer was already sent, retain its transaction details and contact the relevant service promptly. The FTC's cryptocurrency guidance explains why recovering funds can be difficult. Neither this article nor a security scan can guarantee reversal or recovery.