Bitcoin addresses are encoded using the Base58Check encoding.
This encoding is used to limit the confusion between various characters, such as 0OIl as they can look the same in different fonts.
How Public Keys Become Wallet Addresses (Part 2)
The encoding basically takes the binary byte arrays and converts them into human-readable strings.
This string is composed by utilizing a set of 58 alphanumeric symbols.
More explanation and logic can be found in the base58.h source file ( https://gith ) in the bitcoin source code: ub.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/master/src/base58.h /** * Why base-58 instead of standard base-64 encoding?
Why This Matters for Blockchain Technology
Understanding Base58Check encoding is not just an academic exercise — it has real-world implications for how blockchain systems are designed, deployed, and secured. Whether you are a developer building decentralized applications, a business leader evaluating blockchain adoption, or a curious learner exploring the technology, this knowledge provides a critical foundation.
Key Points to Remember
- Base58Check encoding Bitcoin addresses are encoded using the Base58Check encoding.
- This encoding is used to limit the confusion between various characters, such as 0OIl as they can look the same in different fonts.
- The encoding basically takes the binary byte arrays and converts them into human-readable strings.
- This string is composed by utilizing a set of 58 alphanumeric symbols.
Conclusion
Base58Check encoding represents one of the many innovative layers that make blockchain technology so powerful and transformative. As distributed systems continue to evolve, a solid understanding of these core concepts becomes increasingly valuable — not just for developers, but for anyone building, investing in, or working alongside blockchain-powered systems.
Whether you are just starting your blockchain journey or deepening existing expertise, mastering these fundamentals gives you the tools to think clearly about decentralized systems and make smarter decisions in this rapidly evolving space.