Address (Cryptocurrency)

Definition

A cryptocurrency address is a unique identifier for receiving funds, typically derived from public keys through hashing. Addresses are safe to share publicly. Post-quantum addresses may be longer to accommodate larger key material while maintaining usability through appropriate encoding.

Technical Explanation

Classical addresses (Bitcoin) hash public keys through SHA-256 and RIPEMD-160, adding version bytes and checksums. Post-quantum addresses must accommodate larger public keys—Kyber-768 public keys are ~1,184 bytes versus 33 bytes for ECDSA.

Address formats can: hash the full public key (short address, requires lookup for verification), include compressed key data, or use hierarchical structures. Checksum algorithms detect typos. Encoding (Base58, Bech32, Base64) affects length and character set.

SynX Relevance

SynX addresses derive from quantum-resistant Kyber-768 and SPHINCS+ public keys. The address format accommodates larger post-quantum data while remaining practical for sharing and display. Your SynX address is safe to publish—no quantum computer can derive your private key from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are quantum-resistant addresses longer?: They may be somewhat longer, but hashing and encoding keep them manageable for display and QR codes.
Can I reuse addresses?: Generally discouraged for privacy; using fresh addresses improves unlinkability.
What if I mistype an address?: Checksums detect most typos. Always verify addresses carefully for large transfers.

Quantum-safe receiving addresses. Get your SynX address