How to verify an address by signing a message

When you send bitcoin on-chain to a new address, Bitaroo asks you to prove that the address belongs to a wallet you control.

Signing a message is the quickest way to do this, and it is the recommended method.

You use your wallet to sign a short piece of text that Bitaroo provides, then paste the result back. No funds move, and Bitaroo never gains access to your wallet.

Message signing is supported by most popular wallets, including Electrum, Sparrow and BlueWallet.

Before you start

• Use the same wallet that owns the address you are sending to. Only that wallet can sign for that address.
• Have your wallet open on your computer or phone.
• Keep the Bitaroo verification screen open so that you can copy across the message and the address.

The steps at a glance

On the Bitaroo "Sign a Message" screen you will see four steps:

1. Open your wallet and find "Sign Message" (it is sometimes under Tools or Advanced).
2. Copy the message (the challenge text) from Bitaroo and paste it into your wallet.
3. Select or paste the address shown by Bitaroo. This must be the address you are sending to.

4. Sign the message, copy the signature your wallet produces, paste it back into Bitaroo, then select "Verify Signature".

If the signature is valid, the address is marked as verified and you can continue your withdrawal. A verified address is remembered, so you will not need to repeat this for future sends to the same address.

Below are step-by-step instructions for three common wallets: Electrum, Sparrow and Bluewallet. Follow the one that matches your wallet, the process is much the same in others.

Electrum (desktop) Open Electrum and select the wallet that holds the address. Open the Addresses tab, right-click the address you are sending to, and choose "Sign/Verify Message". This fills in the address for you. Alternatively, open the Tools menu, choose "Sign/Verify Message", then paste the address yourself. Paste the message from Bitaroo into the Message box. Select "Sign". Enter your wallet password if you are prompted. Copy the text that appears in the Signature box, return to Bitaroo, paste it into step 4, and select "Verify Signature".

Sparrow (desktop) Open Sparrow and select the wallet that holds the address. Open the Tools menu and choose "Sign/Verify Message". You can also right-click the address on the Addresses tab and choose the same option. Paste or select the address from Bitaroo in the Address field. Paste the message from Bitaroo into the Message field. Select "Sign Message". Unlock the wallet if you are prompted. Copy the signature that appears, return to Bitaroo, paste it into step 4, and select "Verify Signature".

BlueWallet (mobile) Open BlueWallet and tap the wallet that holds the address. Open the wallet menu (the options or "..." control on the wallet screen) and choose "Sign/Verify message". The exact location varies a little by version. Choose the address you are sending to, or paste it from Bitaroo. Paste the message from Bitaroo into the message field. Tap "Sign". Copy the signature that appears, return to Bitaroo, paste it in, and tap "Verify Signature". If you hold several wallets in BlueWallet, make sure you open the one that the address belongs to, otherwise the signing option will not produce a valid result.

Finishing in Bitaroo Whichever wallet you used, the last step happens back in Bitaroo. Once your wallet has produced the signature, return to the Bitaroo "Sign a Message" screen, paste the signature into step 4, and select Verify Signature. If the signature is valid, the address is confirmed and your withdrawal continues. A verified address is remembered, so you will not need to repeat this for future sends to the same address.

If your signature is not accepted

• The address and the wallet do not match. Sign with the wallet that actually owns the address shown by Bitaroo.
• The message was changed. Copy the message exactly, with no extra spaces or line breaks. Using the copy button avoids this.
• You signed with a different address. Confirm the address in your wallet matches the address on the Bitaroo screen, character for character.
• The challenge expired. If too much time passes, start the verification again to get a fresh message.
• Your wallet cannot sign for that address type. A small number of wallets cannot sign messages for certain native SegWit addresses (those that begin with bc1). If so, try another supported wallet, or use a different verification method such as your extended public key.

Is this safe? Does signing a message move my bitcoin?

Yes, it is safe. Signing a message is a read-only proof. It uses your private key to produce a signature, but it does not create a transaction, reveal your private key, or move any funds. It simply demonstrates that you control the address. Bitaroo never gains the ability to access or move your Bitcoin.

Privacy Matters

Bitaroo built this verification model to protect your privacy, as well as the privacy of all our other users.

The Travel Rule, introduced on 1 July 2026, forces exchanges to routinely share customers’ personally identifiable information and, in many cases, engage with globally centralised third parties (“Travel Rule Providers”) whenever bitcoin moves to or from a custodial service. Those arrangements often expose the exchange’s hot wallet to chain surveillance corporations, giving them visibility into the activity of all users transacting through it.

Bitaroo remains compliant by removing the need for these “information-sharing” arrangements altogether.

By verifying that you control your own wallet, we can keep your personal information out of unnecessary hands.

Message signing is the most privacy-preserving verification method. It proves you control the address without revealing any of your other addresses, balances or transactions, which is why we recommend it.

Still need help?

If you have tried the steps above and please contact our support team and we will help.