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Bitcoin => Bitcoin Technical Support => Topic started by: ChiliPowder on July 16, 2015, 06:33:34 PM



Title: Dumb questions about wallets
Post by: ChiliPowder on July 16, 2015, 06:33:34 PM
So I have a wallet with multiple addresses.

Lets say I send a person X coin, can they see what other addresses are linked to that address?

What I am asking is are all addresses within the wallet linked and if that information is available to search.


Title: Re: Dumb questions about wallets
Post by: achow101 on July 16, 2015, 06:43:55 PM
So I have a wallet with multiple addresses.

Lets say I send a person X coin, can they see what other addresses are linked to that address?

What I am asking is are all addresses within the wallet linked and if that information is available to search.
They are only linked if the addresses sign the same transaction. Meaning if they are used together in the same transaction. However, there is nothing else that will link multiple addresses in the same wallet. All of that information is available to search in blockchain explorers and in the blockchain in general since all transactions are public.


Title: Re: Dumb questions about wallets
Post by: Lauda on July 16, 2015, 08:03:10 PM
Well, it is a bit complicated. Knightdk explained how they interact. However, if you really want to make sure then I suggest that you enable coin control.
If you're using Bitcoin QT: Open settings -> click on wallet tab -> check 'enable coin control features'. This will enable you to control your input when you're sending coins to someone. This means that you can pick from which addresses the coins are going to be taken.


Title: Re: Dumb questions about wallets
Post by: RodeoX on July 16, 2015, 08:07:59 PM
I would add that it is also (at least sometimes) mathematically possible to discern that two public addresses are related. 


Title: Re: Dumb questions about wallets
Post by: shorena on July 16, 2015, 09:12:59 PM
So I have a wallet with multiple addresses.

Lets say I send a person X coin, can they see what other addresses are linked to that address?

What I am asking is are all addresses within the wallet linked and if that information is available to search.
They are only linked if the addresses sign the same transaction. Meaning if they are used together in the same transaction. However, there is nothing else that will link multiple addresses in the same wallet. All of that information is available to search in blockchain explorers and in the blockchain in general since all transactions are public.

That is a common assumption, but its technically not correct. Its possible that several different people use their respective private keys to sign a single transaction. Mind you Im not talking about multi sig here where a single input is signed by different private keys. A transaction can be partially signed, transfered to someone else who also contributes with one (or more) signatures, etc. until all inputs are signed and the TX is broadcasted. This is also possible without the need of knowing or even trusting eachother. AFAIK only blockchain.info has implemented this feature and calls it "SharedCoin" its also known as "CoinJoin".

Well, it is a bit complicated. Knightdk explained how they interact. However, if you really want to make sure then I suggest that you enable coin control.
If you're using Bitcoin QT: Open settings -> click on wallet tab -> check 'enable coin control features'. This will enable you to control your input when you're sending coins to someone. This means that you can pick from which addresses the coins are going to be taken.

Well, the coins never come "from" an address... /Ultra correct mode off

This is a common way to avoid linking of addresses without using something like CoinJoin, yes. The only problem is that the inputs might not be big enough, which would require some preparation where you e.g. use several inputs to send coins to a new address which in turn is used to send to the other party. Add mixers or similar services as needed.


Title: Re: Dumb questions about wallets
Post by: everaja on July 17, 2015, 03:58:01 AM
So I have a wallet with multiple addresses.

Lets say I send a person X coin, can they see what other addresses are linked to that address?

What I am asking is are all addresses within the wallet linked and if that information is available to search.

Its not a Dumb question rather it is question that can clear up doubts to even well known bitcoiners.

Yeah all addresses are linked to the wallet..
Say if your address XXXXXXXXXXXX  has 0.02BTC and Address yyyyyyyyyyy has 0.01BTC ,
if you send 0.02 btc then the receiver will not be aware of your another address YYYYYYYY but if ypou send 0.03 btc then he will surely get the information of both of your wallet.

There is no harm in revealing your address unless you wanna remain anonymous.