I have a multibit wallet and I don't see any funds

[BitDraig]

OK as I state in the title, I opened a multibit wallet a few years ago into which I deposited a couple of Bitcoins.  When I open the wallet, it just doesn't show any Bitcoins at all in there.  I would have set up the wallet around 2015 I think.  I still have the address for the transaction into the wallet printed on a piece of paper.  It also has two scan boxes; one to load and verity and the other to redeem.  I'm not sure what they mean.  I also have the words written down which are the wallet recovery mnemonic.  The computer on which I set all this up is not now in use but sitting in a spare room at home.  Could someone give me some guidance on how to find my Bitcoin if they are still there to be found?  Thank you very much for any replies and forgive my ignorance.

[HCP]

If you have a wallet recovery mnemonic, then you were likely using MultiBit HD... as multibit classic did not use recovery mnemonics.

Which is a bit confusing, as you say you have a single address with QR Codes for the address and private key... as that is a paper wallet, and from memory was not a feature in MultiBit HD. So, I'm thinking that maybe the "recovery mnemonic" and the "paper wallet" are not actually related.

To recover using the wallet recovery mnemonic, you can enter that into another BIP39 compatible wallet. I would recommend that you use Electrum: https://www.electrum.org/#download

ONLY download from the official site as linked... and follow this excellent tutorial on how to verify that download before using it: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5240594.msg54223763#msg54223763

Once you have Electrum setup:
- create a new wallet
- select "standard wallet"
- select "I already have a seed"
- click the "Options" button and tick the "BIP39 seed" box
- Enter your recovery mnemonic (it should say next to the options button "BIP39 (checksum: OK)".
- On the next page, Electrum should prompt you for the address type... click the "Detect existing accounts" button

At this point, Electrum will hopefully find your old addresses/transactions/private keys etc... If it does not, the appropriate settings are:
- Select "Legacy (p2pkh)"
- Change the derivation path to: m/0'



That will restore your multiBit HD wallet into Electrum.


As for the piece of paper with the QR codes, you can also import that into Electrum, but instead of using the "standard wallet" option... use the "Import bitcoin addresses or private keys" option when creating the wallet and then scan the "redeem" barcode. (or enter the private key manually... it should start with a "5" and "L" or a "K")

If you don't have a webcam, you can trying using a mobile wallet (like Mycelium or Electrum - Android) to scan the "redeem" QR code.

[BitMaxz]

If you can still open the wallet you can do this below if the above suggestion doesn't work.

You can try to export the private keys from Multibit by going to tools>export private keys

It should be looks like this



Then you can import it to Electrum.

[BitDraig]

Thank you both for your replies.

The address that I have doesn't start with a 5 or an L or  K.  It starts with a 1.  It does say that it's a paper Wallet.  I purchased by Bitcoin through Bittylicious and it was pre-2014.  I payed a £100 per Bitcoin.  I'm thinking that maybe the paper wallet came with the orginial purchase through Bittylicious?  I then later on opened a Multibit wallet and put the bitcoins into it which I could see.  I left them there for a few years but I opened the Multibit wallet up again last year or at least year or the year before and I couldn't see them.  I'll download electrum now.

[LoyceV]

The address that I have doesn't start with a 5 or an L or  K.  It starts with a 1.

The address starts with a 1. It's the private key that starts with 5, L or K.

Warning: ignore all private messages from people who offer to "help" you. People have been scammed that way.

Bonus for after recovering and moving your Bitcoin: you probably own some Forkcoins too. Don't do anything with them before securing your Bitcoin, but don't forget about them either.

[BitDraig]

Unfortunately it didn't detect my existing account.

So now I have a standard Electrum wallet with nothing in it.  What should I do next?

Also, why wouldn't the coins show up in the old multibit wallet?

[LoyceV]

What should I do next?

Have you tried exporting private keys from Multibit?

Also, why wouldn't the coins show up in the old multibit wallet?

It's discontinued, so it's possible it can't show the last balance without connecting to a server. Or maybe your coins were moved.

[BitDraig]

What should I do next?

Have you tried exporting private keys from Multibit?

To do that, do I need to open the original wallet on the computer it was originally created and kept on?  I have that at another address.

[LoyceV]

To do that, do I need to open the original wallet on the computer it was originally created and kept on?  I have that at another address.

I'd say try that first. Just to be sure: keep that computer offline while you export the private keys.

[HCP]

What happens if you lookup the "1xxxxx" address that is on the paper wallet using one or more of the following block explorers?

https://www.blockchair.com/
https://www.blockstream.info/
https://www.blockchain.com/
https://www.btc.com/
https://live.blockcypher.com/btc/

Do you see some transaction history? Does it indicate that there is a positive "final balance" or does it show as zero? The transaction history is often the important clue (even with a zero balance), as it means that the address was in fact "used" at some point...

If you have transaction history, but zero balance, it means the coins were spent at some point.
If you have no transaction history, it means the paper wallet was never funded and can be "ignored".


You also really need to check which version of MultiBit you were using... was it MultiBit Classic:



or was it MultiBit HD:



The method to recover coins from each is slightly different.

[BitDraig]

Yes it does show a transaction history with a balance of just under 2 Bitcoins which is what I thought there should be as a final balance.  But what's confusing me is that it also says that total received was 4.8 Bitcoins.  I didn't purchase that many.  I purchased 2 in total.   I'll try and access my old computer tomorrow. 

[LoyceV]

Yes it does show a transaction history with a balance of just under 2 Bitcoins

Is that the address on your paper wallet?

But what's confusing me is that it also says that total received was 4.8 Bitcoins.  I didn't purchase that many.  I purchased 2 in total.

Maybe you sent transaction change back to your own address.

I still have the address for the transaction into the wallet printed on a piece of paper.  It also has two scan boxes; one to load and verity and the other to redeem.  I'm not sure what they mean.

Do you have something like this?

(source)

If so, it's as easy as importing the private key into any wallet. But if you have 2 Bitcoins on it, you probably shouldn't risk importing it in a hot wallet (on a system connected to the internet).

[BitDraig]

I've now managed to look at my old computer and the wallet was Multibit 0.5.14 .  There's an address there which I've searched for using the links posted above and the address comes up as never having received or spent any Bitcoins.   I'm totally confused.  Yes LoyceV the paper wallet I have looks something like that.  It must have been linked to Bittylicious?  But I'm sure I deposited the coins from there into a wallet on my computer.  Any suggestions?  The address on the paper wallet says there's just under two Bitcoins received and remaining at that address.

[HCP]

Any suggestions?  The address on the paper wallet says there's just under two Bitcoins received and remaining at that address.

What do you want to do with the Bitcoin? Keep hold of them or transfer to an Exchange to convert to fiat?

If you're wanting to hold them, then it might be worth just leaving them exactly where they are... they haven't been "taken" in all this time, so the private key is likely still "safe". Then you can figure out if you want to move them to a different wallet or whatever later.

If you're wanting to convert them, you would need to import the private key into a wallet like Electrum, and then create a transaction to send the coins from there to the exchange of your choice.

I've now managed to look at my old computer and the wallet was Multibit 0.5.14 .  There's an address there which I've searched for using the links posted above and the address comes up as never having received or spent any Bitcoins.  I'm totally confused.  

It was possible to create multiple wallets in MultiBit Classic... so you might want to use the "open wallet" menu in Multibit and see if there are other "xxxxxx.wallet" files... also check how many "xxxxx-data" folders are shown in the MultiBit data directory (multibit should default to this directory when you use the "open wallet" menu option)... each wallet should have it's own "xxxxx-data" folder.

[BitDraig]

I have managed to located the Bitcoins.  They were in a Blockchain.com wallet.  I'm sorry for wasting people's time on here helping to recover them from a Multibit wallet.  It's a few years since I set it up.  I am thinking of cashing them in soon and if the price corrects (which I believe it will) I will buy back in again.

Which exchange is the most reliable?  Would it be easy to transfer from Blockchain.com to an exchange?

[HCP]

I have managed to located the Bitcoins.  They were in a Blockchain.com wallet.  I'm sorry for wasting people's time on here helping to recover them from a Multibit wallet.  It's a few years since I set it up.  I am thinking of cashing them in soon and if the price corrects (which I believe it will) I will buy back in again.

Firstly, thanks for the update... always good to hear how it worked out (positive or negative).

Would it be easy to transfer from Blockchain.com to an exchange?

Sending from blockchain.com to an exchange should not be a problem. Create an account at an exchange, get a deposit address (ensuring your select the BTC wallet address on the exchange and not some Bitcoin fork like BSV or BCH etc), then create your send transaction on Blockchain.com.

Just be wary of what the Bitcoin network activity when you go to send and set your transaction fee accordingly. Blockchain.com has a pretty bad fee algorithm... so you'd be wise to use a "custom" fee and then look at:
https://jochen-hoenicke.de/queue/#BTC,24h
https://mempool.space/
https://bitcoiner.live/

to get an idea of what you'll need to pay based on how quickly you want the transaction confirmed... or how long you might have to wait if you want to send cheaply.

Which exchange is the most reliable?  

As for, "The best exchange"™... that will depend greatly on your particular circumstances and your locale... some exchanges do not allow users from certain locations (countries or even specific states in the US) due to various laws and regulations. Additionally, not all exchanges will allow you to withdraw to your bank etc.

Finally, be prepared to have to walk the KYC/AML regulation trail... you'll probably need to hand over various ID, take selfies holding them and give all your personal details like address/phone etc to create an account and cash out even relatively modest amounts of fiat. Note that trying to provide false information can lead to your account being locked and a lot of hassles.

[BitDraig]

I have been trying to tansfer the bitcoins I own from Blockchain to Coinfloor.  I was having trouble as it wouldn't allow me to do so.  It transpires that I have a wallet in Blockchain with an imported Bitcoin address and I need the private key to 'access' it.  I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?  I have just managed to open up my old Bittylicious account from where I bought the Bitcoins.  Would I find the key there?  Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?  I would be very greatful for some help.  Thanks.

[LoyceV]

Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?

You said it looks like the one I posted, which is created by Bitaddress.org.

I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?

A "standard" paper wallet has an address, and a private key. If you need a magnifying glass: get one! If you have a written private key and a QR-code printed, those are your only options. If your phone can't read the QR: try a different phone. But: know that malicious QR-apps can steal your Bitcoin!

I'm only posting here because you asked me to. I suggest to make your story much clearer, it's now very difficult to know what you're talking about: Multibit, paper wallet, mnemonic, Blockchain...... Those are all different systems and all take a different approach to recover whatever coins you have in their. It might help if you create a clear overview of events.

[BitDraig]

Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?

You said it looks like the one I posted, which is created by Bitaddress.org.

I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?

A "standard" paper wallet has an address, and a private key. If you need a magnifying glass: get one! If you have a written private key and a QR-code printed, those are your only options. If your phone can't read the QR: try a different phone. But: know that malicious QR-apps can steal your Bitcoin!

I'm only posting here because you asked me to. I suggest to make your story much clearer, it's now very difficult to know what you're talking about: Multibit, paper wallet, mnemonic, Blockchain...... Those are all different systems and all take a different approach to recover whatever coins you have in their. It might help if you create a clear overview of events.

Yes I apologise and thanks for your reply.  Forget the multibit as they weren't a part of the picture.  I had downloaded a mulitbit wallet to my computer years ago and now I thought by bitcoin was in there.  But I managed to track them to to Blockchain by looking at my old computer's 'favourites'.  I have access to the Blockchain account.  I tried to move the Bitcoin to Coinfloor but it wouldn't allow me to.  Blockchain helped me to realise that they are kept in a wallet in Blockchain which had been imported.  I had imported it from Bittylicious.  I even still have the Bittylicious account which I managed to gain access to.  But, in order for me to do anything with the Bitcoin in the imported account, I need the Private Key which is either a Base-58 or WIF format key.

Now I have a paper wallet which is I believe linked to this imported wallet.  It's a little faded and my phone is unable to read it.  I do have an Iphone 5s. But there's writing under the wallet address which I believe is the private key.  I gather Blockchain generated the private key?  Anyway they are unable to help.  Looking at the Bittylicious transactions, this all happened back in 2013.

[LoyceV]

Now I have a paper wallet which is I believe linked to this imported wallet.  It's a little faded and my phone is unable to read it.  I do have an Iphone 5s. But there's writing under the wallet address which I believe is the private key.  I gather Blockchain generated the private key?  Anyway they are unable to help.  Looking at the Bittylicious transactions, this all happened back in 2013.

See how much of the private key you can read. QR-codes have error correction, so you can probably use that to recover at least parts of the code (don't ask me how) to combine with the readable parts of the written code.