Title: Question - Lost bitcoin? Post by: eytrycart on March 02, 2022, 09:34:33 PM I'm no expert on the relationship between private and public addresses but is it possible for Bitcoin that was transferred to a non-existent public address to be "re-discovered" if a wallet address is created that relates to the previously non-existent public address?
Title: Re: Question - Lost bitcoin? Post by: bitbollo on March 02, 2022, 09:44:15 PM I'm no expert on the relationship between private and public addresses but is it possible for Bitcoin that was transferred to a non-existent public address to be "re-discovered" if a wallet address is created that relates to the previously non-existent public address? There aren't "non-existent public address". You cannot have "fake" address that are not real. The transfer will not goes since addresses contain built in check You can send bitcoin to one of the 2^256 address (like burning your coin) and yes maybe some one can "discover" that private key and get access to that fund... but it's a collision likewise impossible in real life since it means guess 1 private key in this number Quote 115,792,089,237,316,195,423,570,985,008,687,907,852,837,564,279,074,904,382,605,163,141,518,161,494,336 If you want go deeper on that argument... have a look here: https://notyourkeys.org/ https://privatekeys.pw/ Title: Re: Question - Lost bitcoin? Post by: eytrycart on March 02, 2022, 10:10:19 PM Thanks for the reply.
I probably phrased it incorrectly but I think you answered it. I meant if the bitcoin was sent to a public address that was just not active yet. It seems it is unlikely but not imposible to create a wallet and find some bitcoin. Title: Re: Question - Lost bitcoin? Post by: hugeblack on March 03, 2022, 08:45:28 AM Private key/wallet seed is a unique, random number that cannot be duplicated, with which you manage the public key/address.
When you send to an address, and that transaction is confirmed, that transaction is added to the block, so when you connect to your wallet it scans all the blocks and then finds that transaction. In other words, the addresses that are generated will not be known to anyone if you do not send them (include them in the block) unless someone knows your pvt keys/seed. If anyone knows your keys/seed, he will not only be able to find out your addresses but also send money. For more watch this video ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpcZ1DvCAf8 Title: Re: Question - Lost bitcoin? Post by: odolvlobo on March 03, 2022, 08:52:26 AM I probably phrased it incorrectly but I think you answered it. I meant if the bitcoin was sent to a public address that was just not active yet. It seems it is unlikely but not imposible to create a wallet and find some bitcoin. An address is basically a number (plus some other stuff), so all addresses "exist". Addresses are not "activated". You can send bitcoins to any valid address, but only someone with its private key can spend those bitcoins. The number 0 has this address - 1111111111111111111114oLvT2. Over 300 BTC have been sent to it (mostly by accident). But until someone discovers its private key, those bitcoins can never be spent. It is extremely unlikely that its private key will ever be found. The inability to find the private key for an address is a foundation of Bitcoin's security. Also, a quick clarification of terms:
Here are sets of terms that are frequently confused with each other:
Terms that should be avoided because they are ambiguous or probably being used incorrectly:
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