Address
A Bitcoin address is a short code for the condition that unlocks coins sent to it, usually "signed by this key", written so people can share it.
Where bitcoin can be sent, like an account number you can make as many of as you like. Addresses are public: reusing one links your payments together, so wallets make a new one each time.
What do the different starts mean?
Addresses starting with 1 are the original kind. 3 is a script, often a multisignature wallet. bc1q is SegWit and bc1p is Taproot, written in bech32 and its update bech32m, which catch typing mistakes and cost less to spend from.
Should I reuse an address?
Better not. Every payment to an address is public, so reusing one ties your payments together for anyone to see. Wallets make a new address for each payment for that reason, and they all belong to the same wallet.
Sources
- Bitcoin developer guide: transactions
- BIP 173: Base32 address format for native v0-16 witness outputs
- BIP 350: Bech32m format for v1+ witness addresses
Updated 10 Oct 2026
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