Extended public keys (xpub / zpub): what they are and how we use them
CryptoZing asks for a BIP84 account extended public key (usually zpub or xpub) so it can generate a unique receiving address per invoice and watch for on-chain payments.
- What is an xpub/zpub?
- It’s a receive-only key that lets software derive many Bitcoin addresses for a single wallet account. Different wallets label them as xpub or zpub, but they’re both extended public keys.
- Why do we ask for it?
- To generate a fresh address per invoice (better bookkeeping and less address reuse) and to automatically detect payments sent to those addresses.
- What can’t it do?
- An xpub/zpub cannot spend your bitcoin. It can’t sign transactions, move funds, or reveal your private keys.
- What are the privacy implications?
- Anyone who has this key can derive and monitor the addresses in that account. Treat it like sensitive data: don’t share it, and avoid posting screenshots or logs that include it.
- Best practice (recommended)
- Use a dedicated “Invoices” wallet or account for CryptoZing and share only that account’s xpub/zpub. This keeps invoicing activity separate from personal holdings, reduces address-linking exposure, and makes it easy to sweep funds to an exchange/off-ramp or cold storage.
- What we will never ask for
- CryptoZing will never ask for your seed phrase, private keys, wallet file, or for you to “send a test transaction” to unlock anything.