This guide helps you solve issues when another wallet or exchange tells you that the Bitcoin receive address from your BitBoxApp is "invalid". While the addresses your BitBox02 generates are always valid, some older services may have trouble recognizing modern formats.
Understanding Bitcoin Address Formats
Bitcoin has evolved over the years, leading to different address formats. The BitBox02 supports the most modern and widely used ones.
- Legacy: Addresses start with a
1. (Not supported by BitBox02 for receiving) - Wrapped-SegWit: Addresses start with a
3. - Native SegWit (Bech32): Addresses start with
bc1.
The BitBoxApp uses Native SegWit (bc1...) by default because it is the most modern format and results in lower transaction fees.
How to Solve "Invalid Address" Errors
There are two common reasons why another service might not recognize your address.
Issue 1: The service does not support Bech32
Some older exchanges or wallets have not yet updated to support the modern Bech32 (bc1...) address format.
Solution: The BitBoxApp can provide you with a compatible address. On the "Receive" screen in the BitBoxApp, simply click the link that says Show compatible format (SegWit). This will generate a valid address for your wallet that starts with a 3, which should be accepted by the service you are using.
Issue 2: The service does not remove the "bitcoin:" prefix
When you copy a receive address from the BitBoxApp, it includes the prefix bitcoin: at the start. This is an industry standard that helps applications identify it as a Bitcoin payment request. Unfortunately, some services do not automatically remove this prefix.
Solution: Manually delete the bitcoin: part from the address you pasted into the sending service. For example, if you pasted bitcoin:bc1q..., simply edit it to be bc1q....
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is one address format more secure than another?
No, all address formats are equally secure. The main advantage of the newer Bech32 format is that it leads to smaller transaction sizes, which can result in lower network fees.
Can I send bitcoin between different address formats?
Yes. The Bitcoin network allows you to send funds between any address format without issue (e.g., from a bc1... address to a 1... address). The "invalid address" problem is an issue with the sending service's user interface, not the Bitcoin network itself.
Why does the BitBoxApp use the newest format by default?
We use Bech32 as the default to encourage the adoption of the most efficient Bitcoin standard. This helps reduce transaction fees for our users and the network as a whole.