Understanding Ethereum Bech32 Addresses: A Simple Guide
The Ethereum Bech32 addressing system can be a complex topic, even for experienced developers. To help you understand the differences, we’ll break down the P2WPKH and P2WSH bech32 addresses.
What are Bech32 addresses?
Bech32 addresses are a way to represent Ethereum transactions in a standard format on the blockchain. They’re called “bech” because the Ethereum community introduced them in 2014 as an alternative to the traditional Merkle tree-based addressing system.
P2WPKH vs P2WSH Bech32 Addresses
To understand the difference between the two types of bech32 addresses, let’s look at them separately:
P2WPKH Bech32 Address
A P2WPKH bech32 address starts with 0x..., where “…” is a unique sequence of hexadecimal characters. The first 25 characters refer to the transaction (or account) that created it. For example, if you are referring to an account that spent $100 USD on ETH:
0x4e4f1d13deab12bdaa2... (first 25 characters)
In this case, the “…” indicates the transaction ID of the Ethereum wallet that holds the funds.
P2WSH Bech32 Address
The P2WSH bech32 address starts with “0x…” followed by a network-specific hexadecimal identifier. Unlike P2WPKH addresses, which are based on a specific account or transaction, P2WSH addresses use a random identifier that is tied to the Ethereum network:
0x4e4f1d13deab12bdaa2... (first 25 characters)
This unique identifier is generated using a cryptographic hash function and is used to identify a transaction on the Ethereum network.
Key Differences
In summary, the main differences between P2WPKH and P2WSH bech32 addresses are:
- Network Specificity: P2WSH addresses use a random identifier that is specific to the Ethereum network, while P2WPKH addresses have a more fixed string of characters.
- Account or Transaction Uniqueness: While both types of addresses can represent a specific account or transaction, P2WSH addresses require a unique identifier associated with the network.
Conclusion
To easily understand bech32 addresses, you need to understand the concept of Bech32 as a standardized format for Ethereum transactions. If you recognize the differences between P2WPKH and P2WSH bech32 addresses, you will be better equipped to navigate the world of Ethereum development and troubleshooting.
