Legacy and Segwit addresses | Bitcoin.com Support Center (2024)

Summary

Legacy and SegWit addresses are two types of addresses in the Bitcoin network that differ in format and functionality. SegWit addresses offer advantages in terms of lower transaction fees and better scalability compared to Legacy addresses. However, certain SegWit addresses (bech32) might not be compatible with all services, so users should be cautious when sending funds to make sure the recipient's service can receive funds at a SegWit address.

Table of contents

Differences between Legacy and SegWit Bitcoin addresses

Legacy Addresses:

  • Format: Legacy addresses start with the number '1'. For example, "1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa" is a Legacy address.

  • Size: Transactions from Legacy addresses tend to be larger in size, which means they take up more block space.

  • Fees: As a result, sending transactions from Legacy addresses usually incurs higher fees compared to SegWit addresses.

  • Compatibility: They are compatible with all Bitcoin wallets as they have been around since the beginning of Bitcoin.

SegWit Addresses:

  • Format: There are two types of SegWit addresses. One starts with '3' (P2SH format), which is more common, and the other starts with 'bc1' (bech32 format). For example, "3J98t1WpEZ73CNmQviecrnyiWrnqRhWNLy" is a SegWit address in P2SH format, and "bc1qar0srrr7xfkvy5l643lydnw9re59gtzzwf5mdq" is in bech32 format.

  • Size: Transactions from SegWit addresses are smaller in size or, when the same size as Legacy, effectively take up less block space due to a different calculation of 'weight' in the block.

  • Fees: As a result, sending transactions from SegWit addresses usually incurs lower fees compared to Legacy addresses.

SegWit was implemented as an upgrade to the Bitcoin network to enable better scaling solutions like the Lightning Network.

Although the Bitcoin.com Wallet app may show legacy address instead of SegWit address under "Transaction History", both addresses will belong to the same receiver. SegWit addresses start with 3 or bc1. Legacy addresses start with 1.

Legacy address sample screenshot:

Legacy and Segwit addresses | Bitcoin.com Support Center (1)

Segwit address sample screenshot:

Legacy and Segwit addresses | Bitcoin.com Support Center (2)

To verify that the transaction was delivered to the same receiver, please visit these links and check for Hex string.

If the Hex string comes up as the same result, that means both Legacy and SegWit address belongs to the same person and the BTC was delivered successfully.

Legacy and Segwit addresses | Bitcoin.com Support Center (2024)

FAQs

What is SegWit and legacy Bitcoin address? ›

Legacy and SegWit addresses are two types of addresses in the Bitcoin network that differ in format and functionality. SegWit addresses offer advantages in terms of lower transaction fees and better scalability compared to Legacy addresses.

What happens if I send Bitcoin to a SegWit address? ›

Segregated Witness--more commonly known as SegWit--is an upgrade to Bitcoin that makes transactions more secure and efficient. By separating (segregating) the main part of the transaction data from the part which authorizes the transaction (witness), the entire transaction becomes more secure.

Can I transfer BTC from SegWit to legacy? ›

Another advantage of SegWit is that they are backwards compatible, meaning that you are able to send funds from a SegWit address to a Legacy address.

How do I know if my Bitcoin address is SegWit? ›

How Do I Know if My Bitcoin Address Is Segwit? Today, many Bitcoin wallets support SegWit by default. Bitcoin SegWit addresses typically start with a “3” or “bc1”. Addresses starting with “3” are known as Pay to Script Hash (P2SH), which supports SegWit.

How do I get a legacy Bitcoin address? ›

To generate a Legacy address:
  1. Log into your wallet via web-browser.
  2. Navigate to Settings - Wallets & Addresses.
  3. Select Bitcoin and click on Manage button on the right of the DeFi Wallet to which you would like to receive Bitcoin to.
  4. Select Legacy.
  5. Click Add Next Address.
Jul 28, 2023

Does Bitcoin Cash use SegWit? ›

Bitcoin Cash also differs from Bitcoin in another respect, as it does not incorporate Segregated Witness (SegWit), another solution proposed to accommodate more transactions per block.

What can someone do with a Bitcoin address? ›

If someone is aware of your wallet address, they can see how much money went in and out of your wallet, as well as how much it contains at the moment. Nobody is able to claim your assets by knowing your wallet address.

How do I withdraw Bitcoin from address? ›

Select Bitcoin. Enter the amount of Bitcoin you want to withdraw (you can toggle between BTC or USD) Either tap the top left corner of the screen to access the QR code scanner or tap Send to enter the external wallet address manually. Tap wallet address to confirm.

What address do I need to transfer Bitcoin? ›

To send or receive BTC, you'll need a Bitcoin wallet address. A Bitcoin address is a string of characters that makes the account uniquely identifiable. These addresses each have 26-35 characters and start with either '1','3', or 'bc1'.

What is a legacy transaction? ›

Legacy Transaction means the full or partial sale, license, transfer or other disposition entered into by the Company with any Person with respect to any one or more of the Legacy Assets, for which one or more definitive agreements shall have been entered into prior to the Outside Date.

What does "legacy address" mean? ›

A legacy Bitcoin address is the original address format that was first introduced when Bitcoin launched in 2009 and has been in use since. Bitcoin users can distinguish legacy addresses from other types of addresses because they always start with the number “1”.

What does SegWit mean for Bitcoin? ›

Segregated Witness (SegWit) refers to a change in Bitcoin's transaction format where the witness information was removed from the input field of the block. The stated purpose of Segregated Witness is to prevent non-intentional Bitcoin transaction malleability and allow for more transactions to be stored within a block.

How do I trace a Bitcoin address? ›

Use a Tool for Tracking Bitcoin Wallets

By entering a wallet's address into a blockchain explorer, users can view all transaction histories associated with that wallet.

Is Coinbase SegWit or Legacy? ›

Coinbase Wallet supports both newer SegWit addresses with lower transaction fees, as well as Legacy addresses for backwards compatibility in all applications.

What is a Bitcoin address on Cash App? ›

Your wallet address is a unique address that can be used to deposit Bitcoin from a third party to your account. Your wallet address will change after each successful deposit. Check for the most recent address before making a transfer.

What is legacy format Bitcoin address? ›

Bitcoin. Legacy address has addresses starting from 1 and SegWit address start from 3 or bc1 (one is for P2SH nested SegWit and the other is for native SegWit). Note that 3 addresses are for P2SH addresses in general and are not just for SegWit.

What do SegWit addresses start with? ›

SegWit. SegWit is the most common BTC address format that almost all businesses and wallets support. It starts with the number 3 and contains 26 to 36 characters. The average transaction fee and time can be higher for Bech32 but as with any transaction, it depends on the state of the blockchain.

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