Converting Bech32 Bitcoin Addresses to Legacy Format Using Web3.js
When working with Bitcoin, it is not uncommon for developers and users to need to switch between different formats. One such conversion is from the new Bech32 Bitcoin address format (Bech32) used by the Ethereum blockchain to its legacy counterpart, the Segwit Bitcoin address format. In this article, we will look at how you can perform this conversion using the popular Web3.js JavaScript library.
Background
Before we dive into the conversion process, let’s briefly summarize the differences between Bech32 and Segwit addresses:
- Bech32: A two-part address format that combines a hexadecimal key (public key) with a tag (version). It is used by Bitcoin Core wallets and many other applications.
- Segwit: An enhancement to the Bech32 format that divides data into smaller chunks called “tags” and supports multiple signatures per block.
Converting Bech32 to Legacy Segwit Addresses
To convert a native Bech32 Bitcoin address to the legacy Segwit format, follow these steps:
- Extract the public key (hexadecimal string):
Find the hexadecimal representation of the first 34 characters of the Bech32 address. This will be the public key for the new address.
- Calculate the block number and timestamp:
Use the Web3.js “eth_blockNumber” and “eth_timestamp” functions to retrieve the current block number and timestamp. These values can be retrieved using a network provider such as Infura or a local blockchain API (such as the Bitcoin Core wallet).
- Create a new Segwit address: Create a new Segwit address in the following format:
( ) ( ) (<...>)
Here’s some sample code to get you started:
const Web3 = request('web3');
const web3 = new Web3(new Web3.providers.HttpProvider('
// Extract the public key (hex string) from the Bech32 address
const bech32Address = '12345678901234567890abcdef';
const publicKey = web3.eth.accounts.fromRawAddress(bech32Address, 0);
// Calculate the block number and timestamp
const blockNumber = web3.eth.blockNumber;
const timestamp = web3.eth.timestamp();
// Create a new Segwit address
const segwitAddress = ${blockNumber} ${timestamp} ${publicKey.toString(16)} (${1}) (${2}) (${3}) (${4}) (${5}) (${6}) (${7});
console.log(segwitAddress);
Note: The “1”, “2”, “3”, …, “7” in the Segwit address are placeholders for additional signatures that can be generated using an Ethereum wallet or a separate service. Be sure to replace these placeholders with actual values.
This code snippet shows how to extract the public key from a Bech32 address, calculate the block number and timestamp, create a new Segwit address, and print the result. By following this process, you can successfully convert native Bech32 Bitcoin addresses to legacy Segwit formats using Web3.js.
Additional Tips:
- When working with Bitcoin, it is important to keep in mind that some services may require additional setup or configuration to use Bech32 addresses.
- The Ethereum blockchain has a limited number of blocks per second (around 15), which can impact performance. You may need to adjust your code accordingly.
- Always refer to the official Web3.js documentation and other trusted sources to stay up-to-date on the latest changes and best practices.
If you followed this article, you should now be able to convert Bech32 Bitcoin addresses to traditional Segwit formats using Web3.js. If you have any further questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out!
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