Stellar Address

Overview

Meaning in plain language

A Stellar address is an encoded identifier for an account, contract, or multiplexed destination, with type and checksum information in its format. An M-address combines a base account with an embedded numeric identifier, helping custodial services distinguish customers without a separate memo.

How it works

A Stellar address represents a network entity using the StrKey encoding family. Traditional account addresses commonly begin with G, contract addresses with C, and multiplexed accounts with M, while secret seeds use a separate private format.

An M-address combines a base account with an embedded numeric identifier, helping custodial services distinguish customers without a separate memo. Address text alone does not prove that the destination exists, accepts a given asset, or has the required trustline. Wallets and services must validate the checksum and type, protect secret seeds, and use the correct network passphrase when signing. They should handle memos and multiplexed addresses according to recipient requirements. Sending an unsupported asset or omitting required routing information can prevent automatic credit even when the transaction succeeds.

A closer look at the mechanics

A Stellar public address can receive XLM directly, but issued assets also depend on an asset code and issuer account, and the recipient may need a trustline. In shared custodial setups, a memo can determine which end-user gets credited. Applications should test the exact destination and memo requirement rather than assuming that a successful network transfer automatically identifies the individual customer. An unsupported asset may fail even when the destination account is valid.

Where people get it wrong

A Stellar public key is not the same as an issued asset identifier. Check destination, asset code, issuer account, memo rules and trustline support.

Related concepts

TON Address, Address Prefix, Blockchain Network.