To comply with Swiss regulations, all cryptocurrency transfers from Wickie can only be made to wallets that have completed Unhosted Wallet Verification (wallet whitelisting). This article explains what Unhosted Wallet Verification is, why it’s required, and how the process works.
What is an unhosted wallet
An unhosted wallet — also known as self-hosted or non-custodial — refers to a type of digital wallet that is hosted and controlled by the user, as opposed to being hosted by any exchanges, markets, or other VASPs, which means that:
The applicant cryptocurrency balances are off any third parties.
The applicant did not pass any KYC or customer due diligence processes.
Such wallets offer their owners direct control over their private keys and, consequently, the security and management of their digital assets.
For example, a MetaMask wallet is considered unhosted, and a Centralized Crypto Exchange (CEX) account represents a hosted wallet, as you rely on a third party (custodian) to control your funds.
What is "Unhosted Wallet Verification" and why it’s required
Unhosted Wallet Verification means verifying and approving a crypto wallet before you can send funds to it.
This process confirms that the wallet belongs to you.
Under Swiss regulatory requirements, Wickie can process crypto transfers only to verified (whitelisted) wallets. This helps prevent fraud and ensures that all transfers are compliant and secure.
How the "Unhosted Wallet Verification" process works
If you try to send crypto to a wallet that hasn’t completed Unhosted Wallet Verification yet, we’ll send you an email with a verification link. Simply click the link to start the process.
Step 1 – choose based on wallet type
If your wallet is hosted, select your wallet provider from the list and continue.
If your wallet is unhosted, select the unhosted option and click Continue.
Step 2 – Verify wallet details and choose a verification method
Check that your wallet details are correct, then choose one of the following verification methods:
Connect wallet — You connect your wallet directly through the platform. Quick and fully self-serve.
Sign via external wallet — You verify ownership by signing a message with your wallet app or device. Also fully self-serve.
Self-declaration — You manually declare ownership of the wallet.
❗Note: after self-declaration, a short video call will still be required to confirm ownership.
Step 3 – Complete the process
Follow the on-screen steps for whichever option you chose.
⚠️ Important: If you choose Connect wallet or Sign via external wallet, you can complete the whitelisting entirely on your own. If you choose Self-declaration, our team will reach out to schedule a short video call to verify your wallet ownership before whitelisting is finalized.
For instructions on how the quick video call for crypto wallet whitelisting works find below.
Verifying your wallet via video call
If you chose Self-declaration as your verification method, a short video call is required to confirm your wallet ownership before whitelisting is finalized.
Here's how it works:
After completing the Self-declaration form, you'll receive an email with instructions and a Calendly link to book your video call
Pick a time slot that works best for you
You'll receive a calendar invite with the meeting details
During the call, you'll be asked to:
Confirm the wallet address you're sending crypto to
Name your wallet provider
Prove ownership by showing the wallet
Once your wallet is successfully verified, it will be added to your Wickie whitelist and any pending transaction will be released within up to 1 hour.
Once verified, the wallet can be reused for future transfers without repeating the process.
Pro tip!
When sending to a verified wallet, turn on “Save as draft” so you won’t need to re-enter the wallet details next time. 👇
Important❗
Some crypto wallet providers generate a new BTC address every time you click “Receive,” which can cause confusion after you’ve Verified your Unhosted wallet in Wickie.
If your provider uses HD wallet technology (Hierarchical Deterministic wallet), you can continue sending crypto to your already verified address, as long as it belongs to the same wallet provider.
Click the button below to learn how this works and when you actually need to update your whitelist.
Click the button below to read more:
3. Important information about Unhosted Wallet Verification
Video call language
The verification call is conducted in English by default
English verification is the fastest and smoothest option
If you prefer another language, it may be possible in some cases
However, this can significantly increase processing time and availability cannot be guaranteed
What we verify
During the video call, we verify:
That you have control over the wallet
That the wallet belongs to you
This verification is required only once per wallet.
Regulatory background
Swiss regulations require crypto service providers to:
Verify wallet ownership before transfers
Prevent transfers to unverified or unknown wallets
Maintain clear records of verified destinations
Because of this, Wickie cannot process crypto transfers to:
Non-whitelisted wallets
Third-party wallets
Processing time
Whitelisting is usually completed shortly after the video call
Delays may occur if additional checks are required or if non-English verification is requested
Final notes
Wallet whitelisting is a mandatory step, not an optional feature
Each new private wallet must be whitelisted once
Public exchange wallets may be subject to different requirements
If you have questions or need help with the whitelisting process, our support team is here to help: