Concepts · Addresses
What an address is and why it isn’t a secret
Many people hesitate before giving out an address, and that is a reasonable hesitation in an industry full of scams. The answer is simple: an address is public information, it is already in a registry anyone can consult, and it cannot move a single cent.
The account number analogy
Your address works like the account number you give someone so they can transfer money to you: it is for receiving, and it can’t take money out. The difference from a bank is that here the registry is public, so anyone with your address can see that specific address’s balance and history.
What it reveals and what it doesn’t
| With your address, someone can… | Can they? |
|---|---|
| See that address’s balance | Yes |
| See where the money came from and went | Yes |
| See your other addresses | No, unless your own movements linked them |
| Know your name | No, not on its own |
| Move your money | No |
| Freeze your wallet | No |
The one caveat: privacy
Giving out a specific address is not a theft risk, but it does reveal that address’s movements. If that concerns you, bear two things in mind: what you reveal is only that address, not your whole wallet, and posting it on a public forum is not the same as giving it to someone assessing your case.