Address Specification

Address Creation

1. Start with a 65-byte ECC Public Key

2. Generate a 48-byte SHA-384 Hash of the Public Key

3. Take a RIPEMD-160 hash of the previous hash

4. Tack on the 1-byte version number to the front of the RIPE hash.

5. Take a double SHA-384 hash of the prefixed RIPE hash

6. Append the first 4 bytes of the double-hash to the RIPE hash as the checksum

7. The final combination (version + RIPE hash + checksum) is the Public Sending Address

8. Take a single SHA-384 hash of the Public Sending Address to create the Public Identification Address

Ladder of Privacy

The Public Identification Address is placed in the headers of messages. It identifies the recipient without giving strangers the right to send messages to that recipient.

Having a Public Sending Address authorizes an individual to receive another individual's Public Key.

Having a Public Key authorizes an individual to send messages to another individual.

Private Keys are NEVER sent over the network.