Why Do ETH and BSC Share the Same Address? (Exploring the Commonalities Between ETH and BSC Addresses)

Why Do ETH and BSC Use Identical Address Formats?

ETH (Ethereum) and BSC (Binance Smart Chain) share the same address format because both are EVM-compatible blockchains. The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) serves as the core framework for executing smart contracts, and BSC—as a fork of Ethereum—inherits this infrastructure. Key points:

• EVM Standardization: Both chains adhere to the EVM's technical specifications, including the 20-byte hexadecimal address format.
• Interoperability: Identical addresses enable seamless asset transfers between ETH and BSC networks, enhancing user flexibility.
• Cross-Chain Compatibility: Unlike non-EVM chains (e.g., Bitcoin’s Base58 or Ripple’s tagged addresses), EVM chains avoid format conflicts during transactions.

👉 Learn more about EVM chains

Why Can ETH and BSC Addresses Be Converted?

Address conversion between ETH and BSC is possible due to EIP-155, an Ethereum Improvement Proposal that standardizes address prefixes:

• ETH Addresses: Start with 0x.
• BSC Addresses: Use 0x38 as the prefix.

This standardization allows tools like wallets or bridges to algorithmically transform addresses between networks while maintaining security.

Why Do ETH and BSC Use the Same Public-Private Key Encryption?

Both networks employ identical cryptographic methods because:

1. Shared Foundation: Derived from Ethereum’s original codebase.

2. Security Consistency: Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) ensures:

   • Private keys sign transactions.
   • Public keys verify ownership.
3. Smart Contract Parity: Uniform encryption enables contracts deployed on ETH to run on BSC without modification.

FAQs

1. Can I use my MetaMask wallet for both ETH and BSC?

Yes! MetaMask supports both networks by simply adding BSC’s RPC details. Your ETH address automatically works on BSC.

2. Are private keys interchangeable between ETH and BSC?

Absolutely. The same key pair controls assets on both chains—but always safeguard your private key.

3. What happens if I send BEP-20 tokens to an ETH address?

The transaction will fail unless the recipient address exists on BSC. Double-check the network before sending.

4. Why doesn’t Bitcoin share this address compatibility?

Bitcoin uses a different protocol (UTXO model) and address encoding (Base58), unlike EVM’s account-based system.

👉 Explore multi-chain wallets

Conclusion

ETH and BSC’s address commonality stems from their EVM roots, enabling frictionless cross-chain operations. This interoperability is vital for DeFi’s growth, allowing users to leverage both networks’ strengths efficiently.