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Author Topic: Confused about Wallets and Addresses  (Read 484 times)
WithRegards (OP)
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April 26, 2013, 02:21:34 AM
 #1

So if I use the Armory client offline to generate a new Bitcoin address, I can immediately start sending bitcoins to that address right? Without it ever connecting to the network? How does this work, I don't understand where the bitcoins are stored.
Would I then be able to add this address to a Blockchain wallet and check the balance?

A paper wallet is just a printout of the private key associated with a given address, correct? What does this have to do with the wallet then?
If I create a watch-only address on Blockchain, how do I find the private key for that address so that I can store it somewhere else? Is this good security for a savings type of account then?

I am trying the find the best way to make a secure savings account, but the tutorials I am reading are not explaining the fundementals of how these parts all work together.

Any help would be appreciated.
zebedee
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April 26, 2013, 02:46:26 AM
 #2

So if I use the Armory client offline to generate a new Bitcoin address, I can immediately start sending bitcoins to that address right? Without it ever connecting to the network? How does this work, I don't understand where the bitcoins are stored.
Would I then be able to add this address to a Blockchain wallet and check the balance?

A paper wallet is just a printout of the private key associated with a given address, correct? What does this have to do with the wallet then?
If I create a watch-only address on Blockchain, how do I find the private key for that address so that I can store it somewhere else? Is this good security for a savings type of account then?

I am trying the find the best way to make a secure savings account, but the tutorials I am reading are not explaining the fundementals of how these parts all work together.

Any help would be appreciated.
Bitcoins are "stored" on the network; that is the only place they exist.

To spend them (i.e. transfer them) you need a private key.  There is a mathematical relationship between the private key and the bitcoin address.  You can safely make an address public; it is deposit-only; no-one but you can spend as only you have the private key.

A wallet is just a fnacy name for a collection of private keys.  Private keys are what are stored on your computer, or on a piece of paper.

You can input a private key into most bitcoin software, including e.g. blockchain.info, and they will then show you the balance that that enables you to spend, and permit you to transfer the coins.
zebedee
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April 26, 2013, 02:51:37 AM
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You don't need a private key to watch an address, all you need is the address.  Before asking someone to send to your address, make certain you have the private key somewhere, otherwise you'll never be able to spend whatever you receive.
WithRegards (OP)
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April 26, 2013, 03:05:29 AM
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So if I were to generate a new address, write down the address and private key somewhere, and then send the bitcoins to that address from my Blockchain wallet. Then I could erase everything off the internet and computer, as long as I have the address and private key I could make a new wallet anywhere at anytime and just type the address and private key into the wallet software to be able to use it normally again?

Thanks for the reply
zebedee
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April 26, 2013, 03:25:47 AM
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So if I were to generate a new address, write down the address and private key somewhere, and then send the bitcoins to that address from my Blockchain wallet. Then I could erase everything off the internet and computer, as long as I have the address and private key I could make a new wallet anywhere at anytime and just type the address and private key into the wallet software to be able to use it normally again?

Thanks for the reply
Yes.  You don't even need to store the address; the private key is enough.  Any bitcoin software that takes a private key will display the address it is associated with, as it's trivial to calculate from the private key.

But why not add a bookmark to your web browser; that's quite safe.
WithRegards (OP)
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April 26, 2013, 03:28:44 AM
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Got it, thanks.  Smiley
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April 26, 2013, 04:04:16 AM
 #7

Thanks great info. I was also confused by this. lol.

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https://www.BitLaunder.com/?aid=41
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