HELP!!

[Leahhhh]

Please move this if this isn't the right place to post. I have typed my private key into blockchain.com to import an address from cold storage. But when I click on Import Private Key nothing happens, i have done this many times before and it always worked. Is there a problem with blockchain.com or where else could I try?

[OmegaStarScream]

You can try and use Electrum. Here's a guide you can use: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/importing-your-private-keys-into-electrum/

[Leahhhh]

I am worried that I now have exposed my keys on the internet and want to get this done ASAP

[Charles-Tim]

I am worried that I now have exposed my keys on the internet and want to get this done ASAP

Follow what OmegaStarScream posted, it will help. You will be able to transfer the coin to other addresses.

[OmegaStarScream]

I am worried that I now have exposed my keys on the internet and want to get this done ASAP

The link above should help you do just that. It's not time consuming either. As simple as and as straightforward as what you were doing on Blockchain.com.

Just make sure to read the note after step #3.

[Charles-Tim]

Just a question
What character the private key starts from? Is it wallet import format (WIF) which starts from 5, K or L. Or it is encrypted and start from 6P? Or any other character which might like be hexadecimal?

[Leahhhh]

Thank you all trying that now

[LoyceV]

I am worried that I now have exposed my keys on the internet and want to get this done ASAP

For next time: it's better to learn to use offline signing. It's more work, but much safer. You're now going from secure cold storage to an insecure web wallet.
To avoid this:

Online:
Install Electrum on your PC.
Import your address to create a watch-only wallet.
Preview the transaction, Copy the unsigned transaction. Put it on a USB stick.

Offline and running without hard drive storage:
Get a Linux LIVE DVD. Use Knoppix or Tails for instance, or any other distribution that comes with Electrum pre-installed.
Unplug your internet cable. Close the curtains. Reboot your computer and start up from that DVD. Don't enter any wireless connection password. Keep it offline.
Start Electrum. Import your private key.
Copy your unsigned transaction from the USB stick, load it into Electrum.
CHECK the transaction in Electrum. Check the fees, check the amount, check all destination addresses (character by character).
If all is okay, sign the transaction. Copy it back to your USB stick.
Turn off the computer. That wipes the Live LINUX from memory and all traces are gone.

Online:
Use your normal online Electrum to (check again and) broadcast the transaction.

Bonus:
After moving all your Bitcoin, and once the transaction confirmed, check if you own Forkcoins.

[Leahhhh]

I have never used Electrum before, hope it's simple to get up and going.

[Findingnemo]

I have never used Electrum before, hope it's simple to get up and going.

Don't worry, it is the most user-friendly non-custodial wallet and in fact it was my first one too.

[GUIDE] How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum [Guide]

This thread contains almost everything that you should know and if you still having trouble understanding feel free to create a thread in Electrum childboard about the particular that you wanna know.

[sokani]

You posted similar question in 2022. You didn't ghosted the topic like some persons would do after asking question. You were interactive and some of the advice from forum members who are well knowledgeable in wallet security was that you should not import your private keys from cold storage to blockchain.com wallet and better alternative like Electrum wallet was suggested. It seems like you didn't heed to the advice and you're back again. I really hope your Bitcoin is safe.

Hi, over the years I have opened various accounts with Blockchain.com ....never sold or bought via their exchange....just imported private keys/BTC from cold storage & then sent them on wherever I wanted. Today I went online and it said the verification rules had changed & I needed to verify my account, but because I have multiple accounts it wouldn't let me verify the ones I tried. Now, after reading some threads online, I think verification is only needed if you want to trade on their exchange and isn't needed for storing BTC or sending it to a third party. Does anyone know if this is correct? TIA.

[Leahhhh]

Sorry for asking again! I can't remember exactly what happened in 2022 but I probably managed to complete my transactions with blockchain and didn't open an electrum wallet at that time. I am trying to do so at the minute though.

Just a question
What character the private key starts from? Is it wallet import format (WIF) which starts from 5, K or L. Or it is encrypted and start from 6P? Or any other character which might like be hexadecimal?

It starts with 5.

I am worried that I now have exposed my keys on the internet and want to get this done ASAP

The link above should help you do just that. It's not time consuming either. As simple as and as straightforward as what you were doing on Blockchain.com.

Just make sure to read the note after step #3.

#I am in the process of setting up an Electrum wallet. It is immediately asking for my private keys but has never asked for my name, address etc yet...is that normal?

[OmegaStarScream]

#I am in the process of setting up an Electrum wallet. It is immediately asking for my private keys but has never asked for my name, address etc yet...is that normal?

It's a non custodial wallet, and not an exchange, so yes. It's completely normal, it's not supposed to ask you for these details. I don't believe Blockchain.com asks you for these details unless you want to activate certain features.

[Leahhhh]

Thanks! So electrum will never know who I am during this transaction?

[Findingnemo]

Thanks! So electrum will never know who I am during this transaction?

That's how it's supposed to be but unfortunately we have been seasoned by the banking system and KYC we never took the privacy seriously.

Technically your Electrum can be more private if you run your own node and connected via TOR or the nodes you were connected to knows your IP and it's a privacy concern but it might not be suitable for beginners to start with unless they know what they are doing,

[Leahhhh]

Thanks! So electrum will never know who I am during this transaction?

That's how it's supposed to be but unfortunately we have been seasoned by the banking system and KYC we never took the privacy seriously.

Technically your Electrum can be more private if you run your own node and connected via TOR or the nodes you were connected to knows your IP and it's a privacy concern but it might not be suitable for beginners to start with unless they know what they are doing,

I am in more trouble than ever now - as I said I tried importing my keys to Blockchain.com first and thought it didn't work, but that address is now showing in my blockchain account. I  also imported the keys into my new Electrum account and the balance is showing there but it says it doesn't recognise my password so I can't access it and it is a big chunk of money. It never gave me a seed phrase when I was opening it so I what can I do, I presume nothing! When I check the address on Blockchair, the full amount is there, I thought it would go down to 0 when I transferred it to Electrum?


How do I even find my wallet? When I clock on the Electrum icon, it only shows up the first wallet I created which was a standard wallet, there is no sign of the one I made to import addresses and private keys?

[LoyceV]

How do I even find my wallet? When I clock on the Electrum icon, it only shows up the first wallet I created which was a standard wallet, there is no sign of the one I made to import addresses and private keys?

You should really stop what you're doing right now, and learn how to use private keys before you mess up! Take your time to read up on how things work, and never ever enter your private keys into a shitty (or shiny) website again.

[Leahhhh]

How do I even find my wallet? When I clock on the Electrum icon, it only shows up the first wallet I created which was a standard wallet, there is no sign of the one I made to import addresses and private keys?

You should really stop what you're doing right now, and learn how to use private keys before you mess up! Take your time to read up on how things work, and never ever enter your private keys into a shitty (or shiny) website again.

I have done this numerous times using Blockchain.com to transfer coins going back to 2014, but now Electrum won't accept the password and when I was opening the wallet, it did not ask me for a seed phrase so I am sunk and utterly stunned! It's all lost.

[LoyceV]

I have done this numerous times using Blockchain.com to transfer coins going back to 2014

That site is filled with bugs. I've seen a lot of topics about it lately. This may have happened to your uncompressed private key too:

Blockchain.info: In some cases, Blockchain.info (now .com) shows a compressed private key while the address was uncompressed. Read this topic.

but now Electrum won't accept the password

That means you're using the wrong password.

and when I was opening the wallet, it did not ask me for a seed phrase

You said you're dealing with a private key from cold storage.

so I am sunk and utterly stunned! It's all lost.

Nothing is lost if you have your private key (and if you didn't leak it). Create a new Electrum wallet, import the key. Do this safely offline and go from there.

[Leahhhh]

I have done this numerous times using Blockchain.com to transfer coins going back to 2014

That site is filled with bugs. I've seen a lot of topics about it lately. This may have happened to your uncompressed private key too:

Blockchain.info: In some cases, Blockchain.info (now .com) shows a compressed private key while the address was uncompressed. Read this topic.

but now Electrum won't accept the password

That means you're using the wrong password.

and when I was opening the wallet, it did not ask me for a seed phrase

You said you're dealing with a private key from cold storage.

so I am sunk and utterly stunned! It's all lost.

Nothing is lost if you have your private key (and if you didn't leak it). Create a new Electrum wallet, import the key. Do this safely offline and go from there.

Thank you so so much! I would never have thought of trying it with a new wallet. I was sure it was gone forever but it worked. Thanks again. It has been a scary learning curve with Electrum!