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What Signature Formats Does BTC Sign Message Support?

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Whale
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BTC message signing can prove to a third party that you control a BTC address without sending an on-chain transaction. Because wallets, address types, and verification tools do not always support the same message signature formats, imToken provides the following three formats in the "Sign Message" feature for BTC accounts:

  • standard: A traditional message signature format that is compatible with most wallets and services. It is suitable for platforms that only support the legacy Bitcoin Signed Message verification flow.
  • BIP-137: A format that extends the traditional approach by distinguishing more address formats. It is suitable for hardware wallets such as Trezor and Ledger, and for platforms that explicitly require BIP-137.
  • BIP-322: A more general message signing scheme. It is suitable for platforms that explicitly require BIP-322, or scenarios that need broader address / script compatibility.

How Do I Choose a Signature Format?

Use the following order when choosing a format:

  1. If the verifier explicitly requires a format, choose that format.
  2. If the verifier does not specify a format, refer to the common scenarios below. If you are still unsure, confirm the supported format with the verifier first.
  3. If verification fails after signing, first check whether the message, address, and signature format match the verifier's requirements.

Common Verification Scenarios

Verifier / ScenarioFormat to Refer ToNotes
The verifier explicitly requires standard, BIP-137, or BIP-322The required formatFollow the verifier's requirement.
Bitcoin Core's traditional message signing / verification flowstandardSuitable for scenarios that verify signatures through the traditional Bitcoin Signed Message flow.
Verification flows related to hardware wallets such as Trezor and LedgerBIP-137If the verifier requires another format, follow that requirement.
The verifier explicitly supports a more general BTC message signing schemeBIP-322Suitable when BIP-322 is explicitly required or broader address / script compatibility is needed.
HashKey Exchange address verificationFollow the page requirementsHashKey Exchange provides BTC message signing guidance. If the page does not specify a format, confirm its supported format first.