Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) and Bitcoin (BTC) have a 1:1 value relationship. They trade at essentially the same price. They represent the same underlying asset. It is reasonable to assume they are interchangeable. They are not. Sending WBTC to a Bitcoin wallet address — or BTC to an Ethereum address expecting WBTC — will result in permanent loss of funds.
What wrapped Bitcoin actually is
Bitcoin exists on its own network. WBTC is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum — it represents a claim on real Bitcoin held with a custodian. When you hold WBTC, you hold an Ethereum token that is redeemable for Bitcoin. But the token itself exists on Ethereum, not on the Bitcoin network. Sending WBTC to a Bitcoin address is like trying to deposit a cheque into a bank account in a different country's currency. The systems are not connected.
What happens if you send WBTC to a Bitcoin address
In most cases, wallets validate address formats and will reject the send. In cases where the check is not performed, the outcome is almost always irreversible loss. There is no customer support you can call. There is no reversal mechanism. Blockchain transactions are final.
How to actually move between WBTC and BTC
The correct process involves an exchange step, not a direct send. WBTC to BTC: use a non-custodial swap service that accepts WBTC on Ethereum and sends native Bitcoin to a Bitcoin address. BTC to WBTC: the reverse. Terce handles both directions. The exchange takes about three to five minutes depending on network confirmation times.
Before sending any cryptocurrency: verify which network the asset lives on, which network the destination expects, and whether they match. Cross-chain confusion is the source of a significant portion of irreversible cryptocurrency losses.