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[Feature Request]Export WIF private keys from addresses #1445

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jonjonez opened this issue Jun 25, 2024 · 4 comments
Open

[Feature Request]Export WIF private keys from addresses #1445

jonjonez opened this issue Jun 25, 2024 · 4 comments

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@jonjonez
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I haven't found this possibility within the Sparrow app, is it within the roadmap in implementing it?

I know that only the BIP39 seed has access to all the data necessary to create and restore the wallet, however, at some point the user will need to have access to a single key from a public address, and if he wants to do this, he you will have to jump from app to app to get where you want, like having to enter iancoleman html.

It would be easier, more practical and safer if you had it all in one app.

@pycanis
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pycanis commented Jun 25, 2024

Just asked the same thing on reddit today!

@craigraw
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I know that only the BIP39 seed has access to all the data necessary to create and restore the wallet, however, at some point the user will need to have access to a single key from a public address

It's not clear to me what the use case for this requirement is.

Exposing private keys in any fashion introduces another attack vector for scammers to exploit. A lot of user education has gone into explaining that BIP39 seed words should not be shared - much less so for formats like WIF, which are difficult to identify for the average user.

In addition, the use of HD wallets has replaced the use of single key wallets, which commonly lead to address reuse. The WIF format is part of this legacy wallet approach, and adding this functionality would serve to encourage use of the old approach we are trying to leave behind.

For both of these arguments to be overcome, strong substantiation would be needed.

@pycanis
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pycanis commented Jun 29, 2024

I'm learning to build a raw transaction and having the ability to export a private key of a single address would be helpful. Other than that I completely agree with your reasoning - it doesn't make sense for a regular user.

@craigraw
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I appreciate this use case, but I think I must unfortunately err on the side of security with this tradeoff.

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