Topic: How to get BTC from bitaddress.org paper wallet into Coinbase? (Read 278 times)

That is the part that answers your original question:

Here's a broken-down version of those tutorial with updated button names:
Open you dad's Coinbase account and get his deposit address, copy it and keep it visible for reference later.
Open your watch-only Electrum and click on the "Send" tab, paste that bitcoin address in 'Pay to' field and tick "Max" next to the amount to set it to send all of your available bitcoins.
But before proceeding to click "Pay...", check each of the address' characters (from start to finish) if it matches with your dad's displayed deposit address.

In the next window after clicking "Pay...", newer version of Electrum will show "Preview" instead of "Advanced button.
Also since it's a watch-only wallet, it'll proceed with that advanced preview even if you clicked "OK" instead.

In the advanced transaction preview, click "Share" then "Save to file" and export that transaction (.psbt) to a flash drive.
That's the transaction that you'll need to load to the Offline Electrum "Tools->-Load transaction->From file" to sign.
Once loaded, click "Sign" (type your password), then export it with the "Share" button and a signed transaction (.txn) will be exported.
Load that to the watch-only wallet and check every info if everything is correct, click "Broadcast" to send it.

(for screenshots, check the 7th to last images in this post)

Note: Coinbase might ask for additional verification if it's a significantly high amount.

-This refers to the payment you want to make, whether to your Coinbase address or another destination. It’s essentially like filling out a check: online, you fill in the data (the check being the transaction), and then you take that check to the owner privately (offline) for them to sign it with their protected keys. Therefore, no one will be able to falsify a check without access to the owner's signature.

Once signed, you take your check to the bank (online transaction) without risk because the owner never left their panic room.

There are two ways to use Coinbase: as a common wallet, similar to Electrum, and as Binance would, by sending your data and KYC where they manage your keys. If you have a large amount of BTC, you could use a combination of both, sending portions of money sporadically from your main account securely to Coinbase for your father's convenience. In other words, in the event of a hack, you are not risking all the funds.

Appreciate all the helpful info.

Based on the comments here, I have (with my father's strong urging) decided to try the safer approach of having an online computer (iMac) and an offline computer (MacBook) and follow the instructions posted here https://bitcoinelectrum.com/how-to-spend-from-an-offline-paper-wallet-using-electrum/ as earlier referenced by hosemary. This is similar to the same type of approach/process recommended by LoyceV but without the LINUX stuff since I am on MacOS and not on Windows/PC.

But both LoyceV and the directions posted at bitcoinelectrum.com refer to "the transaction" and I do not know what that means.


In the bitcoinelectrum.com instructions is says:
• On the ONLINE system create a watch-only wallet with the address of the paper wallet. (OK, done)
• On the OFFLINE system create an imported private key wallet using the paper wallet's private key. (Easy enough, so far so good)
• On the ONLINE system go to the "Send" tab and enter the payee's details and the amount you want to send them (THIS IS WHERE I GET LOST... WHAT IS THIS??) Click on "Pay" and then "Advanced" to view the unsigned transaction. (WHAT TRANSACTION?? WHAT AM I SENDING TO WHO??)
• Set a suitable fee and click on "Finalize" then click on "Export" to save it to a removable drive.
• On the OFFLINE system go to Tools menu > load transaction > from file, and load the unsigned transaction. Click on "Sign" and then export the signed transaction back to the removable drive.
• On the ONLINE system, load the signed transaction using Tools menu > load transaction > from file, and click on "Broadcast".

So as complicated as this friggin mess is, I'm sure I can muddle thru, but I have no idea about how making a "watch-only wallet" in the online system has anything to do with creating a "live/spend wallet" on the offline system but then "Send" BTC to myself thru "The Transaction"?? This is why I just wanted to scan the Private Key QR code on my dad's iPhone and be done with it.

Apologies for the ignorance and unfamiliarity with all this. I have NO interest in understanding any of it anyway. I just want to help my dad get his money into a spendable asset he can use IRL. Thanks!

It is not a difficult option, it is one that requires more of your attention.
Why is it more secure?
-Because your private keys are never exposed to intruders and in an app they are.

Entering low value coins doesn't mean anything, an experienced hacker would expect a large amount.

No device with internet access is secure.

So, your two options are comfort vs. security, that is your decision as to which one you will use, here we only comply with warning you.

A hot wallet is any wallet connected to the internet. Like Blue Wallet.
What might happen is that your coins disappear because of malware.

If you never enter your private key on an online device, malware can't steal your funds.

You can't possible be sure about not having malware. But if your system can't go online, malware can't steal anything.

Because you're using a hot wallet.

That 95% was a made-up amount. It's supposed to let you know a 5% risk is unacceptable, not to tell you 95% is okay.

I've never used them, so I can't tell you that.

It's quite simple: people lose money through malware. That still happens. The rest is up to you.

If you have your private keys on an online device, you have a hot wallet.
Any online device is always to prone to hacking and that's why it's recommended to have your private keys on an offline (preferably to be air-gapped) device.

Take note more softwares you import your seed phrase to, the more attack vectors you may open for hackers.


As I said above, any online device is prone to hacking.
With importing your private keys into an air-gapped device, you can be sure that your private keys don't connect to the internet there is no way your wallet can be compromised.


LoyceV is right.
There no is no way to make sure your device hasn't already been compromised, if it's online.


Go for a cold storage. That's the most secure option.


Coinbase is a custodial service. It means that they have full control over your fund and they can freeze your fund at any time for any reason.
Don't forget to read coinbase terms before depositing your bitcoin.

Coinbase has a non-custodial wallet too, but since that's close-source, I would recommend everyone to avoid it.


You can import you private key into an online device and easily make a transaction, but I wouldn't do so, especially if dealing with big amount of bitcoin.



Don't trust this user.

OK, so I am going to proceed with this option (and THANK YOU FOR REPLYING WITH THIS INFO!).
I downloaded Blue Wallet from the  App Store on my iPhone. I have imported a few small BTC wallets (both from public key for watch-only and from private key for full control/spend), $100 or less of BTC value, and everything worked flawlessly. Now I am ready to do the big/real one.

But before I "risk" several BTC that are stored on a paper wallet (explained above in the top post) by importing them into a new Blue Wallet spending wallet, and then using my Coinbase receive address to send the BTC from Blue to Coinbase, I thought I would try to understand what seems like fear many of you have about losing coins that I don't have any experience with or grid for understanding.

Here is the gist of what I hear many of you saying:
- Stop messing with private keys on "hot wallets", because... ??
   - What might happen? What is a "hot wallet"? How does having a "hot wallet" cause potential loss?

- Go offline ("air-gapped"), do part offline, do part online (all with the blinds/drapes closed), because... ??
   - How is this safer than just importing the wallet into Blue on my iPhone and then sending to Coinbase?
   - I can see how 1 option is an anxiety-inducing difficult and confusing set of steps and how the other option is tap-tap, send, easy/done, but I do not understand how the super difficult option is "safer" than the super easy option?

- Do research and know for sure what you are doing will work, because... ??
   - The way I see it this is impossible, can you ever know 100% for sure if it's going to work?
   - LoyceV said, and I quote "You can't possibly be sure about this, there's always a risk."
   - But then LoyceV said, in contradiction, "If you're talking about $100k+, why rush things instead of spending a few hours extra to do it 100% safe?"
   - But apparently there IS NO 100% safe. There is ALWAYS risk, but risk of what?? Why is the method I am going to try any LESS SAFE than another method?
   - LoyceV also said it will highly likely work just fine, like a 95% chance. Isn't that also true of any other crypto transferring method as well?

- Coinbase sucks so don't use it, because... ??
   - Is Coinbase compromised somehow? Is this a "you are not a serious crypto pro if you use Coinbase" type bias?
   - It's just the place we need to send the BTC to so that we can get it withdrawn out into the checking account, so how could this be a bad idea?

Does this all have to do with PC/Windows computers that doesn't apply at all to  iPhone devices regarding malware or hackers being able to see transactions moving thru the ether? Is this outdated info that is no longer fully relevant in 2025 with better technology and secure internet networks and  devices that are not susceptible to the vast majority of all hacks/malware/network malfeasance?

I am not trying to upset anyone and I greatly appreciate all the feedback and helpful info. I just want to understand why something that looks and feels totally straightforward and impossible to mess with/hack/steal (importing the paper wallet private key into Blue Wallet on my iPhone and then sending that BTC to my personal Coinbase BTC wallet for withdrawal) seems to induce ire and/or fear on some folks' parts.

What is it you are afraid of? What's the "risk"?
- Doing something incorrectly and freezing or jettisoning your own BTC?
- Or an actual hack/over-the-air heist/theft of your BTC?
   - If this is the fear/risk, how is this possible with the method I am going to use?

I guess the bottom line, be-all end-all question is... Does anyone have personal experience with them or someone they personally know trying to import BTC (regardless of how much) from a paper wallet to a Blue Wallet spending wallet and then sending that BTC to that same person's personal Coinbase BTC wallet for ultimate withdrawal, and it not working? If something bad happened, what happened? Or is this just overly-cautious parenting because we don't want to see our kids get hurt (and rightfully so) but the reality is the bad outcomes we fear hardly ever happen, and when they do they happen to the risk-takers and the risk-avoidant alike? That's pretty much how I am seeing it, so please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks again guys, I really do appreciate all the help.

Coinbase is not a good wallet to use, so if OP can use Electrum wallet, it's good to continue with this wallet software that is open source, non custodial and with coin control feature, OP can control UTXOs in the wallet as well as fee rate for future transactions.

Coinbase exchange and Coinbase wallet are not best ones to use, if open source, non custodial are priorities.
Problems with Coinbase Withdrawal Fees.

Later, OP can use Electrum wallet more carefully with verification, if OP can not do it now.
[GUIDE] How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum.

It seems like you only see what you want to see. You can have either one of the above, not both. "Uncomplicated" means a hot wallet, which includes a risk.

You can't possibly be sure about this, there's always a risk. Which is why it's safer to assume your device is compromised, and act accordingly. If you're talking about $100k or more, why rush things instead of spending a few hours extra to do it 100% safe?

It's probably true. Like 95% chance. It's like having unprotected sex on a first date Do you feel that lucky?

Hardware wallets don't allow importing private keys.

Both options are valid, as long as the apps are from a legitimate source and your devices are not exposed to malware. However, the safest options are:

1-Import it into a hardware wallet.

2-Import the private key into Electrum on a device without internet (air-gapped), and the public key into Electrum on a device with internet.

In the latter case, you create and export your transaction from electrum (with internet) to a file, transfer it to a USB, sign it in Electrum (without internet, this device should never be connected to the internet, so that the private key is safe) and then export the signed transaction back to the device with internet to transmit it.

OK, so now I have what appear to be 2 good and uncomplicated options to solve this problem (thanks again everyone!).

1) I have OmegaStarScream (forum staff) telling me to download ELECTRUM (on my Mac, which I already did), then import my BTC private key into Electrum and then send it from Electrum to my father's Coinbase BTC receive address. That sounds quick and easy, just what I was hoping!

2) Then I have magick (forum newbie) telling me to download BlueWallet onto my dad's iPhone (which I thought we had already tried but I will have to check again, maybe not) and then import the paper wallet by simply choosing that (Import Wallet) option and entering the 52 character private key, which then allows access to the BTC, which I can then send to my dad's Coinbase BTC receive address. Sounds equally quick and easy as the first option.

(OmegaStarScream and magick do either of you have anything to share about the others' recommendation?)

So which is better?
Is there a "better" or is it just a matter of preference and comfortability?
Is 1 of these 2 seemingly great options clearly a preferable choice in any way?

And, BTW, nothing in any of this advice have I seen "go offline" or "disconnect from the internet" type instruction. It appears that these days you can just type a private key into Electrum on your web-connected Mac or BlueWallet on your 5G connected iPhone and the BTC will just show up without hassle or fear of loss/theft. Is that really true? That's what it sounds like.

Thanks again.

There is no IOS version of electrum, but that's available for macOS and you can use it on your Mac.
You can see the list of operating systems supported by electrum on its official website.

Thank you to the 3 folks who have responded so far. Apparently we have done some dangerous/stupid things without realizing it. Appreciate your warnings and wise council.

Each of you mentioned ELECTRUM. Is this a program/app/utility that can be downloaded on an iPhone (to make things easier for my father)? Or can it be downloaded on a Mac (I/we only use  Mac computers, no PCs/windows machines at all ever)? Or is this a PC/Windows computer mandate type thing?

Thanks again for the responses.

Stop messing around with private keys on hot wallets! Your computer may be safe, but are you really willing to risk $100k on that? If there's malware on your system, your Bitcoins are gone the moment you enter your key. Don't take any risks, keep your keys offline.

Sending the entire balance of the paper wallet to a Trezor sounds like a good option. This is what I would do:
Make sure to take your time. Don't rush things! Make sure to understand what you're doing before you're doing it. And don't trust any one who sends you a PM to "help"!

With importing your private key into multiple softwares, you are risking the security of your fund. Stop it.

As suggested above by OmegaStarScream, you can use electrum to get access to your fund and I just want to add that it's recommened to import your private key into an offline device (preferably to be airgapped), especially if you have a big amount of bitcoin.
Take note that any online device is prone to hacking and you should be very cautious with sensitvie data like your private key.

You can follow the following guide to sign your transaction offline.
How to spend from an offline paper wallet using Electrum.

MEW? That doesn't support Bitcoin, does it? It only supports Ethereum.

1. Install Electrum from electrum.org
2. Follow this guide: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/importing-your-private-keys-into-electrum/
3. Send the Bitcoin to your coinbase receiving address.

It should be a straightforward process. But I'm wondering what errors were you getting in BlueWallet case for example? Can't remember if trustwallet actually support doing that but bluewallet should.

I am familiar with BTC/crypto and Coinbase but by no means an expert (or even very well educated). My elderly father and I both have Coinbase accounts with minimal amounts of various cryptos contained there. I signed up for this forum today to ask this question. I apologize if this or a very similar question has been asked before on this forum (I'm sure it has). I thought it more expedient to ask my specific Q with my specific set of circumstances rather than try to slog thru hundreds of other posts trying to find an exact match to the answer I need.

Here is the problem...

My father has a couple BTC stored on a single paper wallet. It is an OLD paper wallet created by a friend of his in 2019 or 2020 on bitaddress.org and printed out on a piece of paper. There is a QR code, a public key, and a private key. The private key is 52 characters long (not 64) and it starts with the letter L.

We have tried several different ways of getting this paper wallet imported into Coinbase so my father can have liquid access to the funds by doing withdrawals out of Coinbase into his linked checking account. We have been unsuccessful in getting the BTC paper wallet imported into Coinbase (or into ANY other type of wallet for that matter, be it MyEtherWallet (MEW), BlueWallet, TrustWallet, etc, having been informed that Coinbase cannot accept paper wallet imports directly, which seems ridiculous). When we try to scan the QR code on the paper wallet with his iPhone into one of these online wallets the "transaction" or "import" is rejected. When we tried to type in the full 52 character private key into MEW, the transaction simply never materialized as if it had never been attempted. When we got in touch with MEW customer service they said that the "format" or "style" of paper wallet we had was not supported by their system and the attempted import of the wallet was unsuccessful/ignored.

We have been told that we need to import the paper wallet into an intermediary wallet like TrustWallet or MEW so that we can get the BTC into a Trezor/Ledger cold wallet and then we can import the contents of the Ledger cold wallet into Coinbase. Is this accurate? We would rather not do this if not totally necessary, preferring to simply go from paper to intermediary online wallet to Coinbase if possible.

How can my father and I transfer the ALL of the BTC from the 52-character bit address.org paper wallet into some other intermediary wallet and then into Coinbase all at one time with with one set of transfers/transactions so that my dad can have his BTC in Coinbase liquid and ready to cash out? Because literally what the hell good is BTC even if it's worth a million a coin if you cannot gain access to the money to actually spend it on real life?? (It's like a $100,000 pre-paid credit card frozen in a block of ice... worth $100k and worthless at the same time.)

Please help this Gen X crypto novice help his Boomer dad gain access to this desperately needed financial asset that he owns but cannot use. THANKS!