Prove Bitcoin Address Ownership with BitBox02 and Sparrow Wallet
Some services, like exchanges and brokers, may require you to sign a message to confirm ownership of a Bitcoin address. This process is similar to signing a transaction but involves no actual transfer of funds. With your BitBox02 hardware wallet, you can securely sign messages, ensuring your private keys remain protected.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin:
- Sparrow Wallet installed and your BitBox02 wallet imported.
- The Bitcoin address you wish to verify.
- The exact message provided by the service requesting verification.
The message might look something like this, make sure not to change anything in it:
I confirm that I am the sole owner of this Bitcoin address. Order reference 1bd973455f.
Tip: It’s helpful to copy the address and message into a text document for easy access during the process.
Step-by-Step: Signing a Message
1. Access the Sign Message Tool
- Open Sparrow Wallet.
- Navigate to Tools → Sign/Verify Message or press Ctrl + M.
- A window with three fields—Address, Message, and Signature—will appear.
2. Enter Address and Message
- Paste your Bitcoin address into the “Address” field.
- Paste the message into the “Message” field.
Important: Ensure the message is entered exactly as provided, without any modifications.
Alternative: In the “Addresses” tab, right-click the desired address and select Sign/Verify Message to auto-fill the address field.
3. Select the Format
- Leave the “Format” set to Standard (Electrum).
4. Sign the Message
- Click Sign.
- Select your BitBox02 device.
- If prompted, unlock your BitBox02.
If you encounter an error, ensure the BitBoxApp is closed and reconnect your BitBox02. Click Rescan in Sparrow Wallet if necessary.
5. Confirm on BitBox02
- Your BitBox02 will display:
- The coin: Bitcoin.
- The Bitcoin address you’re verifying.
- The message to be signed.
- Review all details carefully.
- If everything is correct, confirm the signature on your BitBox02.
Reminder: Signing a message does not involve any transaction or affect your wallet balance.
Verifying and Sharing the Signature
- After signing:
- The generated signature will appear in the “Signature” field.
- Click Verify to ensure the signature is valid.
- Copy the signature and provide it to the requesting service.
Caution: Do not alter the signature. Any changes can render it invalid.
Need Assistance?
For more information on integrating BitBox02 with Sparrow Wallet, check out our blog posts:
- Peek into Bitcoin internals using Sparrow Wallet with your BitBox02
- How to create a Multi-Signature Wallet with Sparrow and your BitBox02
- AOP protocol: Making self custody easier