Extended Fingerprint (XFP)
An extended fingerprint (XFP) is a short identifier derived from a wallet's master public key. It uniquely identifies a specific wallet or signing device without exposing any sensitive key material, making it useful for coordinating multisig setups.
How It Works
The extended fingerprint is computed by taking the first 4 bytes of the HASH160 (SHA-256 followed by RIPEMD-160) of the master public key. This produces an 8-character hexadecimal string that serves as a compact identifier for the wallet. It is displayed on hardware wallets and used by wallet coordination software to keep track of which device corresponds to which set of keys.
In single-signature setups, the XFP is rarely something users interact with directly. Its importance becomes clear in multisig configurations, where multiple hardware wallets participate in a shared quorum. Each device has a unique XFP, and the wallet coordinator uses these fingerprints to ensure transactions are routed to the correct signing devices. If you swap a device or recover a wallet, the XFP confirms you have loaded the right keys.
The XFP is not sensitive information — it cannot be used to derive your keys or addresses. It is safe to share when coordinating multisig setups. However, it is still good practice to treat any wallet metadata with care, as it can reveal information about your setup to an observer.
Key Points
- 8-character hex identifier derived from the master public key hash
- Essential for identifying signing devices in multisig configurations
- Not sensitive — cannot be used to derive keys or spend funds
- Displayed on hardware wallets for verification during setup
- Helps prevent signing with the wrong device, which could lock funds