Bitcoin operates under an unprecedented level of transparency. Its underlying blockchain technology permanently validates all transactions on a traceable and shared ledger on the Bitcoin network. Users have unique public addresses, similar to bank account numbers, for transferring funds.
Those who want to receive Bitcoin payments must share their public addresses with the intended sender to determine where to transfer the designated funds. The creation of those addresses occurs privately through every user’s wallet. However, public keys become tainted by the history of all transactions conducted through them once they transact.
Bitcoin addresses cannot remain fully anonymous since users usually have to disclose their identities to receive goods and services. The blockchain’s irreversibility implies untraceable information could be straightforward to track in the future. Nevertheless, these guidelines can help protect your privacy when using Bitcoin.
Use New Addresses to Receive Payments
Using a new Bitcoin address whenever you receive a new payment is one of the best ways to protect your privacy. That enables you to isolate each Bitcoin transaction, making it impossible for anyone to link all your transactions to a particular address.
Create Multiple Wallets for Separate Transactions
Having different wallets for separate transactions could also enable you to maintain high-level privacy when using Bitcoin. Leading crypto exchanges such as https://bitcoin-storm.live/ allow users to create multiple wallets for different transactions. For instance, you can have separate wallets for Bitcoin trading and payment of goods and services. That will ensure those who send you funds or receive from you do not know the other Bitcoin wallets you own and the transactions conducted through them.
Do Not Share Your Bitcoin Addresses and Transactions on Public Spaces
Publishing your Bitcoin address or transactional details on any public space, such as a social media platform or website, could expose you to serious privacy risks. You may publish an address if you intend to receive public donations or payments with complete transparency. However, you should remember that address will become tainted by the transactional history. Thus, it would be best to create a new address to move the funds when the donations or payments timeframe expires. Bitcoin users should also be careful not to request information about their transactions from any third party.
Hide Your Device’s IP Address
Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer network, meaning others on the platform can listen to your device’s transaction relays and log your IP address. Full node clients relay users’ transactional data like their own. That impacts difficulty in finding the source of any specific Bitcoin transaction and users can easily mistake any node as the origin of a transaction when they are not. Using an anonymous browser like Tor to hide your computer or tablet’s IP address will prevent others from logging in, thereby protecting your privacy.
Mixing Services
Mixing services are available online, merging traceability between users by receiving and sending back the same amount of funds through independent Bitcoin addresses. However, the legality of using mixing services vary across jurisdictions and may be subject to different regulations. The services also require high trust between users and service providers to avoid the loss or theft of funds and maintain a log of all the requests. Mixing services can break traceability for small amounts but become increasingly challenging in more significant transactions.
The Bitcoin network is currently undergoing several improvements for enhanced user privacy. For example, they are developing the payment messages API to avoid tainting multiple addresses during payment. Nevertheless, the guidelines discussed above can help you ensure better privacy protection when using Bitcoin.
