Chain Code
Wallets● Common

A 256-bit value used alongside keys in HD wallets (BIP-32) to enable deterministic child key derivation. The chain code adds entropy to the derivation process, ensuring that knowledge of a parent public key alone cannot derive child keys without also knowing the chain code.

Technical Notes

Generated from seed alongside master private key: (master_key, chain_code) = HMAC-SHA512('Bitcoin seed', seed). Child derivation: HMAC-SHA512(parent_chain_code, data) produces child_key || child_chain_code. Extended keys (xpub/xprv) include chain code. Critical for HD wallet security.

Metadata

Visibility: Public
Created:1/3/2026by System

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