<p>The address is invalid because the checksum does not match the provided address. For more information see here: <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-reference#address-conversion" rel="nofollow">https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-reference#address-conversion</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-02T22:39:55.847Z
If they just want an address with an invalid checksum, I wonder why they would choose something so complicated?  Why not just `1aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa` or something?
Nate Eldredge
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-02T21:46:05.577Z
2015-04-02T21:46:05.577Z
Spencer Powell
<p>The address provided is invalid; </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Sorry this is is not a valid bitcoin address</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(as per <a href="http://blockchain.info/address/175tWpb8K1S7NmH4Zx6rewF9WQrcZv245W" rel="nofollow">http://blockchain.info/address/175tWpb8K1S7NmH4Zx6rewF9WQrcZv245W</a>)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-13T15:46:58.090Z
This is true, but you should explain why it's invalid.
Nick ODell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-14T07:37:30.067Z
@NickODell why? As long as we know how to _check_ if it is invalid, that's fine. Of course if he would explain why it would be _better_, but by no means required.
o0'.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-13T13:57:35.870Z
2013-05-13T13:57:35.870Z
Wouter
<p>There are no differences among Bitcoin addresses, so in principle you could use any address you want.</p>

<p>However, you should know that sending bitcoins to an address is irreversible, so it will cost you money.</p>

<p>A better solution would be to test everything using <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Testnet" rel="nofollow">testnet</a>. Bitcoin testnet is a completely separate block chain used for testing only. You can get testnet bitcoins <a href="http://testnet.mojocoin.com/" rel="nofollow">for free</a> and use the standard Bitcoin client when you start it with the <code>-testnet</code> flag.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-13T11:40:27.630Z
2013-05-13T11:40:27.630Z
Steven Roose
<p>Is there a reserved Bitcoin address? </p>

<p>It should not be able to send bitcoins to it. But the address should be syntactically valid.</p>

<p>Such an address could be used for examples/documentation, without advantaging the author. Similar to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Example.com" rel="nofollow"><code>example.com</code></a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin#Addresses" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a> and <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/BIP_0021#Examples" rel="nofollow">bitcoin.it</a> use <code>bitcoin:175tWpb8K1S7NmH4Zx6rewF9WQrcZv245W</code>. Is this a reserved address or is it owned by someone? (resp.: could you send bitcoins to this address?)</p>

<p>If there is no reserved address, which should we use? Simply take a valid address and replace the first digit with, say, a "9"? (would this be future-proof?) Or use a testnet address?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-13T13:59:21.037Z
What's your use-case? If you are simply going to write a document and put there an address as example, why don't you use _your_ address? You could collect donations, then.
o0'.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-13T18:22:42.120Z
@Lohoris: I don’t want to use my own (or someone else’s) address to stay neutral. Similar to using `example.com` as example domain in documentation instead of my own. The use-case could be: "Which Bitcoin address should be used in Wikipedia articles?" (the actual site in question is irrelevant)
unor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-09T19:59:32.243Z
I'm writing a "bitcoin for dummies" article, and I too would like a neutral example to use
Dan Gayle
<address>
Reserved Bitcoin address for examples?
unor
# Reserved Bitcoin address for examples?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-05-13)

Is there a reserved Bitcoin address?

It should not be able to send bitcoins to it. But the address should be syntactically valid.

Such an address could be used for examples/documentation, without advantaging the author. Similar to [`example.com`](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Example.com).

[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin#Addresses) and [bitcoin.it](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/BIP_0021#Examples) use `bitcoin:175tWpb8K1S7NmH4Zx6rewF9WQrcZv245W`. Is this a reserved address or is it owned by someone? (resp.: could you send bitcoins to this address?)

If there is no reserved address, which should we use? Simply take a valid address and replace the first digit with, say, a "9"? (would this be future-proof?) Or use a testnet address?

**Tags:** address

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What's your use-case? If you are simply going to write a document and put there an address as example, why don't you use _your_ address? You could collect donations, then.  
> **username_0**: @Lohoris: I don’t want to use my own (or someone else’s) address to stay neutral. Similar to using `example.com` as example domain in documentation instead of my own. The use-case could be: "Which Bitcoin address should be used in Wikipedia articles?" (the actual site in question is irrelevant)  
> **username_2**: I'm writing a "bitcoin for dummies" article, and I too would like a neutral example to use  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-04-02. Score: 3

The address is invalid because the checksum does not match the provided address. For more information see here: <https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-reference#address-conversion>

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: If they just want an address with an invalid checksum, I wonder why they would choose something so complicated?  Why not just `1aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa` or something?  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2013-05-13. Score: 2

The address provided is invalid;

> Sorry this is is not a valid bitcoin address

(as per <http://blockchain.info/address/175tWpb8K1S7NmH4Zx6rewF9WQrcZv245W>)

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: This is true, but you should explain why it's invalid.  
> **username_1**: @username_6 why? As long as we know how to _check_ if it is invalid, that's fine. Of course if he would explain why it would be _better_, but by no means required.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2013-05-13. Score: 1

There are no differences among Bitcoin addresses, so in principle you could use any address you want.

However, you should know that sending bitcoins to an address is irreversible, so it will cost you money.

A better solution would be to test everything using [testnet](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Testnet). Bitcoin testnet is a completely separate block chain used for testing only. You can get testnet bitcoins [for free](http://testnet.mojocoin.com/) and use the standard Bitcoin client when you start it with the `-testnet` flag.


---

