Filecoin has seven different address types, each with unique characteristics and uses. Here’s a brief explanation of these seven address types.
Table of Contents
f0 address: ID Address
This address is in a numeric format and represents a unique numeric ID for each actor (participant) within the network. It is concise and takes up less space but is not typically used for everyday transactions.
For example: f01234
f1 address: Secp256k1 PublicKey Hash Address
This address is generated using the secp256k1 public key and is derived by hashing the user’s public key. It is commonly used for day-to-day transactions. This type of address can be directly linked to a user’s public key, allowing validators to verify the legitimacy of transactions using the public key.
For example: f15ozr6p4juvjdilaejz7zgel6xwph4mtu6zugkwi
f2 address: Actor Address
This address is generated based on the structure of an actor (participant). In the Filecoin network, each participant, including storage miners and clients, is an actor. This type of address is typically used for smart contracts and other programmatic operations.
For example: f24vg6ut43yw2h2jqydgbg2sojfkszpmevhcvn5ha
f3 address: BLS PublicKey Hash Address
This address is generated using the BLS (Boneh-Lynn-Shacham) public key. BLS is a signature algorithm that is particularly suitable for creating short and aggregatable signatures. This address type is commonly used in situations where multiple signatures need to be aggregated, such as miners submitting sector proofs.
For example: f3viyi7v6xjf6jqxnfgrmadu5kgj3vhwlzss5waznnfr5kfifdlmzr6eoaorv6itiy3bgcr63a3i2ys4tajia
f4 address: Actor address
This address is used as a random address within the Filecoin network and primarily for transaction sorting. It does not have a corresponding private key and is not used to receive or send assets.
For example, “f4z24l7q” is a possible f4 address, but it does not have a corresponding private key and is not used for asset transactions.
0x address: FVM Internal Compatible ddress
Addresses starting with 0x and compatible with the Filecoin Virtual Machine (FVM) are primarily used to facilitate better integration between the Filecoin network and Ethereum network or other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible networks. These address formats are mainly used for smart contracts and other interactions with the Ethereum network. They are typically 20 bytes long, starting with 0x and followed by 40 hexadecimal characters.
For example, “0xabc123…” is a possible EVM-compatible address.
Random Hash Address
This address is generated by hashing a random number chosen by the user. It does not directly correspond to the user’s public key, so it cannot be used to verify transaction legitimacy directly. However, this type of address ensures address uniqueness while protecting user privacy.
For example: f1xcbgdhkgkwht3hrrnui3jdopeejsoas2rujnkdi
Each address type serves a specific purpose, and users should choose the most suitable address type for their intended use. In most cases, users will use the secp256k1 public key hash address or BLS public key hash address for transactions.
