Ethereum: 24-Word Seed Limit
A 24-word seed phrase, also known as a mnemonic phrase, is an essential part of Ethereum wallets, allowing users to retrieve their private keys in an emergency. However, as you may have noticed, this limited length can make it difficult for users to track when they added or removed wallets later.
The Problem with 24-Word Seeds
A typical 24-word seed is a combination of letters and numbers that represents the wallet’s private key. This is where it gets tricky. When you add a new wallet, you’re essentially creating a new, unique identifier for it. However, this new seed only includes the original creation process.
The Problem with Renaming or Deleting Wallets
If you rename or delete a wallet, the new key created after the rename or deletion will still be valid. This means that if your 24-word source code is used to restore a wallet after it has been renamed or deleted, it may stop working.
To illustrate this, consider the following scenario:
- You create two identical wallets with different names.
- When you add another wallet, you use the same 24-word key to generate the private key.
- You later rename one of the wallets and use a new 24-word key for that wallet.
- If you want to restore an old wallet, using the original 24-word key may work.
Solution
To bypass this limitation, users can use Ethereum’s “key revocation” feature. If a private key becomes invalid due to a change in wallet ownership or name, it can be revoked and removed from the blockchain.
By using a different 24-word key for each new wallet, you can track when wallets have been added or removed, even if their name has been changed or their private keys have been modified. This way, you will always know if your current wallet is the one that was created at that moment.
Conclusion
While a 24-word name may not cover all scenarios, it can still play a significant role in maintaining the integrity of Ethereum wallets. By understanding how to use a different key for each new wallet and utilizing the key revocation feature, users can rest assured that their private keys will remain valid even after changes have been made.
If you would like to learn more about Ethereum wallets or private key management, we are happy to provide additional resources and guidance.