bitcoin-dev

Idea for BIP : Deterministic Wallets with Token support

Idea for BIP : Deterministic Wallets with Token support

Original Postby Aneesh Karve

Posted on: July 7, 2024 02:10 UTC

In the realm of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency security, the use of extended public keys (xpubs) warrants cautious handling due to their inherent security implications.

Extended public keys, when combined with any non-hardened private key descending from them, compromise the parent extended private key. This vulnerability exposes every private and public key descending from it, posing a significant security risk. Consequently, this is why hardened keys are preferred at the account level within the hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet structure. Hardened keys prevent the compromise of master or other account keys if an account-specific private key is leaked.

Moreover, the discussion touches on the inadequacy of proposing different HMAC (Hash-Based Message Authentication Code) parameters for enhancing standardization or benefiting the Bitcoin ecosystem at large. Instead, BIP-85 is recommended for generating multiple wallets for various purposes from a single secret in a secure, irreversible manner. This approach allows for distinct application codes for each token or purpose, derived securely from one master secret, thereby offering a more streamlined and secure method for managing multiple wallets or applications within the Bitcoin framework. For further reading on BIP-85 and its applications, referencing the official Bitcoin Improvement Proposal documentation is suggested.