Ethereum Address Types: Legacy, Segwit, and Native Segwit (Bech32)
The Ethereum network has three primary address types: legacy, segwit, and native segwit. Each type offers different benefits and limitations for users and developers.
Legacy Bitcoin Addresses
Legacy Bitcoin addresses are the most widely used and accepted format by both Bitcoin and Ethereum. They consist of eight characters, including a hyphen (-) separating the first six characters from the last two, which represent the checksum (a sequence of numbers that ensures the address is correct). Legacy Bitcoin addresses were introduced to facilitate easy transfer between different blockchain networks.
Segwit Addresses
Segwit (Shortened for Segregated Witness) addresses are an improvement over legacy Bitcoin addresses. Introduced in 2017 as part of the Segregated Witness protocol, segwit addresses are more efficient and easier to understand than their legacy counterparts. They also provide additional features like « mixing » and « recovery, » which can help prevent double-spending attacks.
Segwit addresses consist of six characters, including a hyphen (-) separating the first five from the last character. The checksum is still included in the second-to-last position.
Native Segwit (Bech32) Addresses
Native segwit addresses are an evolution of segwit addresses. They use the Bech32 (Bitcoin Cash 2) format, which consists of two lines: a long line followed by a short line. This format provides several advantages over the traditional segwit format:
- Shorter checksum: The Bech32 format uses a shorter checksum than the original segwit format.
- Easier verification: The Bech32 format makes it easier to verify and recover from errors.
Native segwit addresses were introduced in 2018 as part of the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) protocol. They are now widely used by both Bitcoin and Ethereum networks.
Can One Address Interoperable with Another?
In theory, any two address types can be interoperable with each other. However, it’s essential to understand that the Ethereum network is designed to work seamlessly between different blockchain networks.
Ethereum has built-in support for multiple addresses, including:
- Legacy Bitcoin addresses: Can be used in conjunction with segwit and native segwit addresses.
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH) addresses
: Can also be used alongside segwit and native segwit addresses.
- ETH-2 Addresses: These are the new Ethereum addresses that use the Bech32 format, which includes both legacy and segwit checksums.
However, when sending transactions between different networks using the same address type, there might be some limitations:
- Checksum mismatch: If the checksum is incorrect or missing, it can lead to errors in transaction verification.
- Checksum mismatch between Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum: Due to differences in checksum calculation algorithms, BCH and ETH addresses might not match up correctly.
Conclusion
In summary, all three address types (legacy, segwit, and native segwit) are interoperable with each other. However, the Ethereum network is designed to work seamlessly between different blockchain networks, ensuring that users can send transactions between them using various address types.
If you’re a developer or user who wants to explore multiple blockchain networks, it’s essential to understand the differences and limitations between these addresses to ensure successful transaction verification.