When you view your Bitcoin account's extended public key, you might see prefixes like zpub or ypub. These are not different keys, but different formats or "labels" for the same underlying key. The format simply tells a wallet which type of Bitcoin address to generate for your account.

If you need to find where this information is located, please see our guide: How to find your extended public key in the BitBoxApp 

Common Formats

• xpub (Legacy): Generates the oldest address type, which starts with "1". These have the highest transaction fees.
• ypub (SegWit): Generates Wrapped SegWit addresses, which start with "3". These offer lower fees than Legacy. You can view this format in the BitBoxApp.
• zpub (Native SegWit): Generates the modern Native SegWit addresses, which start with "bc1q". This is the default format in the BitBoxApp as it provides the lowest transaction fees.

The Special Case: Taproot

Taproot is the latest major upgrade to Bitcoin, offering enhanced privacy and efficiency. While your BitBox02 fully supports Taproot addresses (starting with bc1p...), the BitBoxApp deliberately does not show the Taproot extended public key.

This is a security measure to prevent accidental misuse. The raw key formats for this new address type are not yet widely supported across the ecosystem, and using them improperly could lead to a loss of privacy or other issues. For advanced users who need this information, it can be exported using "output descriptors" in compatible third-party wallet software connected to your BitBox02.

FAQ Section:

Is a zpub less secure than an xpub?

No. The security of the underlying key is identical. The prefix (xpub, ypub, or zpub) only changes the address format the key generates, not its security.

Which format should I use?

Always use the most modern format supported by the service you are connecting to. For receiving funds, the BitBoxApp default (zpub/Native Segwit) is best for low fees.

If I convert my zpub to a ypub, does it change my key?

No, it does not change your key. It only changes the format "label" so that different software can understand how to generate addresses from it.

What is an "output descriptor"?

An output descriptor is a modern method for describing all the necessary information about how a wallet's keys are used to generate addresses. It's a more comprehensive and flexible standard than a single extended public key.