How can I tell the source of a Bitcoin

[kieran5405]

Hi,

I am newish to Bitcoins and have been receiving some etc...  I notice that some Bitcoins show in the 'from' field as coming from multiple address while some come from just 1 address.

I am looking to see how i could let users identify themselves to me so I know who sent it...in case I receive Bitcoins of the same amount around the same time from multiple users.

I presume the Bitcoins that have multiple addresses are those that come from exchanges ie.e mtgox from the user rather than say a users blockchain wallet (do blockchain bitcoins show up as 'from' the Bitcoin address that the user receives Bitcoins into).  Is there a way I can get users to identify themselves or have their exchange bitcoins coming from 1 address?

Thanks for any help?

[Gabi]

Give them a new address for every transaction so you know who sent money to that address

[kik1977]

Hi,

I am newish to Bitcoins and have been receiving some etc...  I notice that some Bitcoins show in the 'from' field as coming from multiple address while some come from just 1 address.

I am looking to see how i could let users identify themselves to me so I know who sent it...in case I receive Bitcoins of the same amount around the same time from multiple users.

I presume the Bitcoins that have multiple addresses are those that come from exchanges ie.e mtgox from the user rather than say a users blockchain wallet (do blockchain bitcoins show up as 'from' the Bitcoin address that the user receives Bitcoins into).  Is there a way I can get users to identify themselves or have their exchange bitcoins coming from 1 address?

Thanks for any help?

Hi Kieran!

Usually, the fact that you see an incoming payment as deriving from multiple addresses can be explained like this: Imagine you had to receive a payment from me of 1BTC.
I might have in my wallet exactly 1BTC: in this case you will see a single address as the origin;
I might have 3 bitcoins in just one address: in this case you will see a single address as the origin (plus a second output of 2BTC coming back to me)
I might have 0.7 BTC in on address and 0.7 in another one:  in this case you will see two originating addresses as the origin (plus a second output of 0.4BTC coming back to me).

Does that help?

[kieran5405]

cheers for replies...good to know info!!

[kik1977]

cheers for replies...good to know info!!

You welcome, happy to help! 

[porcupine87]

Hi,

I am newish to Bitcoins and have been receiving some etc...  I notice that some Bitcoins show in the 'from' field as coming from multiple address while some come from just 1 address.

I am looking to see how i could let users identify themselves to me so I know who sent it...in case I receive Bitcoins of the same amount around the same time from multiple users.

I presume the Bitcoins that have multiple addresses are those that come from exchanges ie.e mtgox from the user rather than say a users blockchain wallet (do blockchain bitcoins show up as 'from' the Bitcoin address that the user receives Bitcoins into).  Is there a way I can get users to identify themselves or have their exchange bitcoins coming from 1 address?

Thanks for any help?

Hi Kieran!

Usually, the fact that you see an incoming payment as deriving from multiple addresses can be explained like this: Imagine you had to receive a payment from me of 1BTC.
I might have in my wallet exactly 1BTC: in this case you will see a single address as the origin;
I might have 3 bitcoins in just one address: in this case you will see a single address as the origin (plus a second output of 2BTC coming back to me)
I might have 0.7 BTC in on address and 0.7 in another one:  in this case you will see two originating addresses as the origin (plus a second output of 0.4BTC coming back to me).

Does that help?

It is like with real money. Instead of 1 BTC take a 10$-Bill. You have 10$ in your pocket and have to pay 10$? Then the transaction has a single input (your 10$) and a single output (the 10$ to the receiver). But if you have to pay only 7$, you get back some chance money. You have one input, and two outputs (the receivers 7$, and your 3$). So when you have to pay 15$, you can use the 10$ bill and 5$ of your credit card.

The difference is, that you have less addresses in real life. You don't put the chance money in a different pocket, you just have one pocket with you. And because it is not efficient (and therefore expansive) you don't pay to one seller with cash and credit money.

[BTCnewbie]

Hi,

I am newish to Bitcoins and have been receiving some etc...  I notice that some Bitcoins show in the 'from' field as coming from multiple address while some come from just 1 address.

I am looking to see how i could let users identify themselves to me so I know who sent it...in case I receive Bitcoins of the same amount around the same time from multiple users.

I presume the Bitcoins that have multiple addresses are those that come from exchanges ie.e mtgox from the user rather than say a users blockchain wallet (do blockchain bitcoins show up as 'from' the Bitcoin address that the user receives Bitcoins into).  Is there a way I can get users to identify themselves or have their exchange bitcoins coming from 1 address?

Thanks for any help?

Hi Kieran!

Usually, the fact that you see an incoming payment as deriving from multiple addresses can be explained like this: Imagine you had to receive a payment from me of 1BTC.
I might have in my wallet exactly 1BTC: in this case you will see a single address as the origin;
I might have 3 bitcoins in just one address: in this case you will see a single address as the origin (plus a second output of 2BTC coming back to me)
I might have 0.7 BTC in on address and 0.7 in another one:  in this case you will see two originating addresses as the origin (plus a second output of 0.4BTC coming back to me).

Does that help?

It is like with real money. Instead of 1 BTC take a 10$-Bill. You have 10$ in your pocket and have to pay 10$? Then the transaction has a single input (your 10$) and a single output (the 10$ to the receiver). But if you have to pay only 7$, you get back some chance money. You have one input, and two outputs (the receivers 7$, and your 3$). So when you have to pay 15$, you can use the 10$ bill and 5$ of your credit card.

The difference is, that you have less addresses in real life. You don't put the chance money in a different pocket, you just have one pocket with you. And because it is not efficient (and therefore expansive) you don't pay to one seller with cash and credit money.

What??