P2PK (Pay-to-Public-Key)
P2PK is the oldest Bitcoin address format, used primarily in Bitcoin's earliest years.
Unlike later formats, P2PK embeds the full public key directly in the locking script, making it visible on the blockchain from the moment funds are received. Approximately 1.7 million BTC sits in P2PK addresses, much of it believed to be lost, including Satoshi Nakamoto's estimated 1.1 million BTC. P2PK addresses represent the highest tier of theoretical quantum vulnerability because the public key is permanently exposed.
P2PK is the oldest Bitcoin address format, used primarily in Bitcoin's earliest years, which embeds the full public key directly in the locking script.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is P2PK?
P2PK is the oldest Bitcoin address format, used primarily in Bitcoin's earliest years.
Why does P2PK matter for Bitcoin?
Unlike later formats, P2PK embeds the full public key directly in the locking script, making it visible on the blockchain from the moment funds are received. Approximately 1.7 million BTC sits in P2PK addresses, much of it believed to be lost, including Satoshi Nakamoto's estimated 1.1 million BTC.
What should Bitcoin holders know about P2PK?
P2PK addresses represent the highest tier of theoretical quantum vulnerability because the public key is permanently exposed.
