Address Migration

Overview

Meaning and boundaries

Address Migration is the controlled transition from old receiving or custody addresses to new addresses, scripts, accounts, wallets, or custodians. Migrating addresses involves more than creating a replacement wallet. Record which old deposits and balances remain valid, how pending transfers will be discovered, when new instructions take effect, and how counterparties receive verified updates. A transition window may require monitoring both old and new destinations.

How it works in practice

It includes both moving existing balances and redirecting future deposits while maintaining support for late payments to old addresses. Operationally, teams inventory addresses, announce cutovers, update integrations, move funds under tested policies, monitor legacy addresses, and reconcile every migration transaction. The principal risk is that incomplete customer communication, wrong network mappings, unsupported scripts, or abandoned legacy monitoring can cause payment loss.

Checks and failure points

Attackers exploit payment-detail change notices. Authenticate announcements, test destination compatibility, and never discard access to old keys before all recovery and reconciliation obligations are handled.

Operational evidence and decisions

An effective migration notice includes an effective date, verified new network and asset details, and a process for testing with the counterparty. Retain an audit of which external partners acknowledged the new instructions. Old deposit monitors should remain active until late payment windows, recovery policies, and relevant retention obligations are satisfied.

How it differs from related terms

Address migration changes the receiving endpoint; asset transfer is the movement of existing funds and may be only one part of that process. Related entries: Address Rotation; Static Address Revocation.