Ethereum: Error Creating Segwit Address on Bitcoin Core
The Ethereum community has been experiencing issues with creating tracking addresses in Bitcoin Core, a popular cryptocurrency client. In this article, we will look at the error message and possible solutions to resolve this issue.
Error Message:
When attempting to create a new tracking address using Bitcoin Core 15.0.1 on 64-bit Windows, users are greeted with an error message similar to the following:
$ getnewaddress
getnewaddress: Cannot find a key that matches the required format
What is Segwit?
Segwit (Segmented Witness) addresses are designed for Ethereum and other blockchain networks to improve scalability. Segwit addresses have several benefits, including:
- Reduced transaction fees
- Increased transfer capacity
- Improved network security
Bitcoin Core Version:
15.0.1
The error message indicates that Bitcoin Core cannot find a key that matches the format required to create tracked addresses.
Possible Solutions:
To resolve this issue, users can try the following solutions:
1. Update Bitcoin Core to the latest version
Make sure that the latest version of Bitcoin Core is installed on the system. You can download the latest version from the [official website](
$ bitcoin-qt --getchangelog
2. Enable Segwit Support
Some users may need to enable tracked support in Bitcoin Core. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open a terminal and run:
$bitcoin-qt --enable-segit=true
- Restart the Bitcoin Core client.
3. Update your wallet software
If you have older wallet software installed, such as Electrum or MyEtherWallet, it may be causing issues with creating tracks. You can try updating these wallets to the latest version:
- Download and install a new wallet from its official website.
- Restart your wallet after installation.
4. Add Segwit private keys
If you used private keys generated by your wallet software, they may not be compatible with tracked addresses. You can try generating new private keys specifically for tracked addresses:
- Open a terminal and run:
$bitcoin-qt --getnewaddress
- Follow the instructions to generate a new address.
5. Reset Bitcoin Core to its original state
If none of the above solutions work, you can try resetting Bitcoin Core to its original state by:
- Closing all Bitcoin Core instances.
- Deleting the
datafolder.
- Rebooting the system.
Bottom line:
Creating tracked addresses in Bitcoin Core can be a bit tricky, but there are several solutions available to solve this problem. By updating Bitcoin Core to the latest version and enabling support for segwit, you should be able to successfully create new tracked addresses. Additionally, updating your wallet software or generating new private keys specifically for tracked addresses may also help resolve the issue.
Tips and Variations:
- Please note that not all wallets support tracked addresses.
- Some wallets may require additional configuration settings to enable tracked support.
- For more information about segwit and Bitcoin Core, see the [official Bitcoin Core documentation](
