Bitcoin Forum

Ok. So, I attempted to make a paper/cold storage wallet. Basically what I did was go to bitaddress.org and then copied/downloaded the whole website into my computer [ctrl+s]. Then, I went offline and went into the website and obviously made a share and private key.

Now, the issue I’m having is that on blockchain.com, when I type in the share address...it tells me that the format is “unknown (unknown).” What does this mean and will the bitcoin transfer if I send it to an unknown format? I’m assuming it’s unknown because I made it offline by using the website offline. It seems awfully fishy to me to make a private key online.

Even you created the private key offline or online the format from blockchain.com will always show unknown. I don't know why but even my segwit address and Coinbase address is always show unknown format.

But you can use other explorers like blockchair.com to check if the address is fine.

And to make sure that the wallet you created from bitaddress is fine try to deposit a small amount first just to test if the address is fine.

Bitcoin.com Blockchain.com has a habit of labeling addresses as Unknown format. Not sure why since i don't see any documentation anywhere.
But here are some addresses labelled as unknown format, and they have been used to receive and send Bitcoins, so I think it doesn't matter
1. https://www.blockchain.com/btc/address/1DoLu6yvo1xzKUVkyCzLWRQmm6rUeFmBqg
2. https://www.blockchain.com/btc/address/3D8qAoMkZ8F1b42btt2Mn5TyN7sWfa434A

Thank you. Also, thank you to the individual above you. Much appreciated.

To be clear what you mean by "share" is a public address. Like others have said I would use other blockchain explorers, like https://blockchair.com/ or https://blockstream.info/

It has nothing to do with the fact you created the wallet offline or online, as long as the address hasn't been used before, it isn't part of the blockchain, so it "doesn't exist". However these sites should tell you that the format of the address is fine. Also, your wallet will usually not send funds to an address that doesn't work (missing a character for example) because there is a checksum integrated into the address.

Send a small amount if you want to be extra safe. However right now fees are extremely high and transactions slow, so if it's not urgent, I would wait.

Latest note before you go ; opening a wallet using one address previously generated is somehow risky as you need more addresses for change. So if you run a wallet with just one address, then want to send a portion from the total amount in the address, the rest of the amount will be spent as fees.
Honestly, i didn't try it by myself but i read few articles about this issue that may occurs for beginners. Stay safe .

Yep total fine like @logfiles mention above

Actually my old exchange address still using and old format and till know still deposit into them and im just curious to check on Blockchain.com and its show Unknown format maybe its happen to old Format only but the address is fine

Woah wait what!?! What do you mean? Fees from what...Coinbase? Blockchain.com? So are you saying that I should have multiple wallets?

Regards

This is not correct, the change will go back to the sending address. The only disadvantage of using one address is that it's easier for someone to track your spending
Take an example of this transaction: https://blockchair.com/bitcoin/transaction/ac642d2af37c9af80a2cbd1af13566823420bacb5b8a10e1e915ef3ae847516a

The transaction fee was only 0.00027860 BTC

The rest of the change went back to the sending address

https://talkimg.com/images/2023/07/19/ZlZWg.png

I know that it's possible to put the same address as input and output but i think this should be manually done. Did you try to setup a wallet with one pair of keys then try to send a portion of the address balance to another address without setting the change address? Maybe i am mistaken but i am sure i had read about this before .

I have ever done it, and its automatic buddy, I have ever imported one address in my electrum wallet using a private key and when I tried to spend part of the amount of bitcoins I had, the change always went back to the sending address automatically. I have never set the output address manually.