Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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One‑Time Address

1 min read
Pronunciation
[wuhn tym uh-dres]
Analogy
Like using a disposable email alias for one conversation to avoid future spam.
Definition
A unique, single‑use blockchain address generated for a specific transaction or counterparty to enhance privacy by preventing address reuse linkage.
Key Points Intro
One‑time addresses break on‑chain linkability by ensuring each payment uses a fresh address.
Key Points

Stealth addresses: Recipient publishes a public key, sender derives unique address.

Payment codes: BIP‑47-like schemes for reusable one‑time address generation.

Unlinkability: Observers cannot correlate multiple payments to same recipient.

Off‑chain coordination: Sender obtains address derivation info via scan.

Example
A wallet uses stealth protocol: Bob’s wallet broadcasts a scan key; Alice’s wallet derives a one-time address and sends funds, only Bob can scan and recover.
Technical Deep Dive
Stealth: recipient’s scan public key `P` and spend public key `Q`. Sender picks random `r`, computes `R=rG`, address `H(rP)G+Q`. Transaction includes `R` in OP_RETURN. Recipient computes `H(aR)G+Q` to find output.
Security Warning
If random `r` reused, privacy compromised; ensure strong RNG.
Caveat
Requires wallet support and extra on‑chain data; not universally adopted.
Related Terms
Stealth Address
Ring Signature
Key Derivation

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