Pages:
Author

Topic: I have a multibit wallet and I don't see any funds - page 4. (Read 959 times)

jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
Yes it's 51.  I had missed out a letter.

Is that easy to do.....importing into electrum?
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
The letters/numbers do begin with a 5 and it's 50 characters long.
Are you sure it's not 51? See:
WIF (Wallet Import Format) (51 characters base58, starting with "5").
Example: 5KMWmYkn5YWkJnUDG4utD9L1HXQv3DBseqqCGsQXmthcEerbA7k

The good new is that I've use a magnifying glass and I believe I've got most if not all the characters correctly written down.
When you're sure your computer doesn't have malware, an easy way to check if you got it correct is by importing the private key into Electrum.

Quote
I've been in touch with Blockchain and been trying to move the imported bitcoin address to a Blockchain Private Key wallet.  But their system won't allow this to be done at the moment.  They are now looking into it and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
Be very careful who you trust with your private key! I wouldn't enter it on a website (like Blockchain.com's wallet).

Quote
At what point would I need to use my Private Key?
To spend your funds Smiley
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
I have been trying to tansfer the bitcoins I own from Blockchain to Coinfloor.  I was having trouble as it wouldn't allow me to do so.  It transpires that I have a wallet in Blockchain with an imported Bitcoin address and I need the private key to 'access' it. 
Correct, you can import an address into Blockchain.com wallet (ie. a "watching-only" wallet) and 1Blockchain.com will be able to monitor the transactions and balance etc... but you won't be able to send any transactions without the private key.


I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?  I have just managed to open up my old Bittylicious account from where I bought the Bitcoins.  Would I find the key there? 
Probably not. As far as I can tell, Bittylicious does not generate private keys or have wallet functionality available to users. You need to already have a wallet of some kind (web wallet like blockchain, paper wallet, desktop wallet like multibit/electrum etc) and when you buy bitcoins, you enter you wallet address and Bittylicious sends the coins directly to that wallet address.


Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?  I would be very greatful for some help.  Thanks.
Without seeing the paper wallet and it's design etc. it's impossible to say really... but I am fairly sure that you didn't get it from either Blockchain or Bittylicious... I don't think either of those services ever produced "paperwallets".



Yes I apologise and thanks for your reply.  Forget the multibit as they weren't a part of the picture.  I had downloaded a mulitbit wallet to my computer years ago and now I thought by bitcoin was in there.  But I managed to track them to to Blockchain by looking at my old computer's 'favourites'.  I have access to the Blockchain account.  I tried to move the Bitcoin to Coinfloor but it wouldn't allow me to.  Blockchain helped me to realise that they are kept in a wallet in Blockchain which had been imported.  I had imported it from Bittylicious. 
I don't think you imported it from Bittylicious. You would have sent the coins to a bitcoin address when purchasing them from Bittylicious... but Bittylicious does not generate private key/addresses for you.


I even still have the Bittylicious account which I managed to gain access to.  But, in order for me to do anything with the Bitcoin in the imported account, I need the Private Key which is either a Base-58 or WIF format key.
Can you see if the letters/numbers underneath the QR code start with a "5", an "L" or a "K"? Huh If it does... then those letters/numbers are indeed the private key that is on the paper wallet (no guarantees that it is the private key that matches your imported address, but it is a good start)


Now I have a paper wallet which is I believe linked to this imported wallet.  It's a little faded and my phone is unable to read it.  I do have an Iphone 5s. But there's writing under the wallet address which I believe is the private key.  I gather Blockchain generated the private key? 
I don't think so... not if the only thing you have in blockchain.com wallet is an address... the private key was likely generated elsewhere.



At this point I would suggest:

1. Getting a magnifying glass and attempting to read the letters/numbers underneath the QR code
or
2. Make a physical copy of the QR Code using a photocopier and then darken up the QRCode code on the copy by hand with a pen/marker
or
3. You could attempt to make a copy of the QR Code and then darken up the image (using photoshop or similar) so it can be read by your phone
or
4. Attempt to re-create the QR Code in a QR Code generator app that allows pixel by pixel editing, like this: https://www.pixilart.com/draw/qr-code-c70c8f58df


Note that making a digital copy of the QR Code (ie. options #3 and #4) is NOT recommended unless you are happy that your computer is malware free... if someone gets hold of that QRCode, they could take your coins... which, being 2 BTC, is quite a significant sum. Appropriate precautions should be taken.

I would personally attempt #1 first.

Thank you for that informative post.

The letters/numbers do begin with a 5 and it's 50 characters long.  The good new is that I've use a magnifying glass and I believe I've got most if not all the characters correctly written down.

The paper wallet I have says blockchain.info/wallet/my account name on the top.  It then has two qr codes similar to the one post above with Scan to load & Verify above one on the left and Scan to redeem above the one on the right.  In the middle is a bitcoin address identical to the one holding the bitcoins in the blockchain imported address.  So it must surely have somehow come from Blockchain.  It even has what looks like their faded logo on the top.

I've been in touch with Blockchain and been trying to move the imported bitcoin address to a Blockchain Private Key wallet.  But their system won't allow this to be done at the moment.  They are now looking into it and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

At what point would I need to use my Private Key?

I did all this back in 2013 and more or less forgott about but I decided to do some searching since bitcoin became much more valuable.  I wonder how many others are the same?  I remember a guy in Wales who had thrown a computer away (possibly by accident) and it had thousand of bitcoins on it.  A search of the local dump wasn't successful.

 
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4361
I have been trying to tansfer the bitcoins I own from Blockchain to Coinfloor.  I was having trouble as it wouldn't allow me to do so.  It transpires that I have a wallet in Blockchain with an imported Bitcoin address and I need the private key to 'access' it. 
Correct, you can import an address into Blockchain.com wallet (ie. a "watching-only" wallet) and 1Blockchain.com will be able to monitor the transactions and balance etc... but you won't be able to send any transactions without the private key.


I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?  I have just managed to open up my old Bittylicious account from where I bought the Bitcoins.  Would I find the key there? 
Probably not. As far as I can tell, Bittylicious does not generate private keys or have wallet functionality available to users. You need to already have a wallet of some kind (web wallet like blockchain, paper wallet, desktop wallet like multibit/electrum etc) and when you buy bitcoins, you enter you wallet address and Bittylicious sends the coins directly to that wallet address.


Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?  I would be very greatful for some help.  Thanks.
Without seeing the paper wallet and it's design etc. it's impossible to say really... but I am fairly sure that you didn't get it from either Blockchain or Bittylicious... I don't think either of those services ever produced "paperwallets".



Yes I apologise and thanks for your reply.  Forget the multibit as they weren't a part of the picture.  I had downloaded a mulitbit wallet to my computer years ago and now I thought by bitcoin was in there.  But I managed to track them to to Blockchain by looking at my old computer's 'favourites'.  I have access to the Blockchain account.  I tried to move the Bitcoin to Coinfloor but it wouldn't allow me to.  Blockchain helped me to realise that they are kept in a wallet in Blockchain which had been imported.  I had imported it from Bittylicious. 
I don't think you imported it from Bittylicious. You would have sent the coins to a bitcoin address when purchasing them from Bittylicious... but Bittylicious does not generate private key/addresses for you.


I even still have the Bittylicious account which I managed to gain access to.  But, in order for me to do anything with the Bitcoin in the imported account, I need the Private Key which is either a Base-58 or WIF format key.
Can you see if the letters/numbers underneath the QR code start with a "5", an "L" or a "K"? Huh If it does... then those letters/numbers are indeed the private key that is on the paper wallet (no guarantees that it is the private key that matches your imported address, but it is a good start)


Now I have a paper wallet which is I believe linked to this imported wallet.  It's a little faded and my phone is unable to read it.  I do have an Iphone 5s. But there's writing under the wallet address which I believe is the private key.  I gather Blockchain generated the private key? 
I don't think so... not if the only thing you have in blockchain.com wallet is an address... the private key was likely generated elsewhere.



At this point I would suggest:

1. Getting a magnifying glass and attempting to read the letters/numbers underneath the QR code
or
2. Make a physical copy of the QR Code using a photocopier and then darken up the QRCode code on the copy by hand with a pen/marker
or
3. You could attempt to make a copy of the QR Code and then darken up the image (using photoshop or similar) so it can be read by your phone
or
4. Attempt to re-create the QR Code in a QR Code generator app that allows pixel by pixel editing, like this: https://www.pixilart.com/draw/qr-code-c70c8f58df


Note that making a digital copy of the QR Code (ie. options #3 and #4) is NOT recommended unless you are happy that your computer is malware free... if someone gets hold of that QRCode, they could take your coins... which, being 2 BTC, is quite a significant sum. Appropriate precautions should be taken.

I would personally attempt #1 first.
copper member
Activity: 2338
Merit: 4543
Join the world-leading crypto sportsbook NOW!
I'm starting to suspect that the OP is confusing some terminology.

The term "wallet" is a general term, and it really consists of two parts; the public address and the private key.  If you have a paper wallet that looks similar to the photo posted by LoyceV, you should have both the public address and the private key on that piece of paper.  Since Blockchain.com told you that you need the private key to spend the bitcoin, I'm assuming you never actually imported the private key to Blockchain.com.  Blockchain and Multibit will allow to import the public address, which will allow you to view the transactions, but will not allow you spend the bitcoin.  That makes it a "watch-only" wallet.

My suspicion is that you imported the public address to these wallets, which allowed you to view the coins therein, but since you never imported the private key, you are unable to spend the coins.

The paper wallet should have two QR codes with text underneath them.  The public address will start with "1," and the private key will start with either "5", "L", or "K".  If you're phone will not recognize the QR code, you'll have to type out the private key manually.
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
Now I have a paper wallet which is I believe linked to this imported wallet.  It's a little faded and my phone is unable to read it.  I do have an Iphone 5s. But there's writing under the wallet address which I believe is the private key.  I gather Blockchain generated the private key?  Anyway they are unable to help.  Looking at the Bittylicious transactions, this all happened back in 2013.
See how much of the private key you can read. QR-codes have error correction, so you can probably use that to recover at least parts of the code (don't ask me how) to combine with the readable parts of the written code.
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?
You said it looks like the one I posted, which is created by Bitaddress.org.

Quote
I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?
A "standard" paper wallet has an address, and a private key. If you need a magnifying glass: get one! If you have a written private key and a QR-code printed, those are your only options. If your phone can't read the QR: try a different phone. But: know that malicious QR-apps can steal your Bitcoin!

I'm only posting here because you asked me to. I suggest to make your story much clearer, it's now very difficult to know what you're talking about: Multibit, paper wallet, mnemonic, Blockchain...... Those are all different systems and all take a different approach to recover whatever coins you have in their. It might help if you create a clear overview of events.

Yes I apologise and thanks for your reply.  Forget the multibit as they weren't a part of the picture.  I had downloaded a mulitbit wallet to my computer years ago and now I thought by bitcoin was in there.  But I managed to track them to to Blockchain by looking at my old computer's 'favourites'.  I have access to the Blockchain account.  I tried to move the Bitcoin to Coinfloor but it wouldn't allow me to.  Blockchain helped me to realise that they are kept in a wallet in Blockchain which had been imported.  I had imported it from Bittylicious.  I even still have the Bittylicious account which I managed to gain access to.  But, in order for me to do anything with the Bitcoin in the imported account, I need the Private Key which is either a Base-58 or WIF format key.

Now I have a paper wallet which is I believe linked to this imported wallet.  It's a little faded and my phone is unable to read it.  I do have an Iphone 5s. But there's writing under the wallet address which I believe is the private key.  I gather Blockchain generated the private key?  Anyway they are unable to help.  Looking at the Bittylicious transactions, this all happened back in 2013.
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?
You said it looks like the one I posted, which is created by Bitaddress.org.

Quote
I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?
A "standard" paper wallet has an address, and a private key. If you need a magnifying glass: get one! If you have a written private key and a QR-code printed, those are your only options. If your phone can't read the QR: try a different phone. But: know that malicious QR-apps can steal your Bitcoin!

I'm only posting here because you asked me to. I suggest to make your story much clearer, it's now very difficult to know what you're talking about: Multibit, paper wallet, mnemonic, Blockchain...... Those are all different systems and all take a different approach to recover whatever coins you have in their. It might help if you create a clear overview of events.
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
I have been trying to tansfer the bitcoins I own from Blockchain to Coinfloor.  I was having trouble as it wouldn't allow me to do so.  It transpires that I have a wallet in Blockchain with an imported Bitcoin address and I need the private key to 'access' it.  I have a paper wallet which I printed off years ago.  I try to scan the QR code but my phone doesn't manage to do it.  It is faded a little.  Under the wallet address is a number and letters  (very fine) which I'll need a magnifying glass if I have any hope of reading it.  Is there another way of getting the private key?  I have just managed to open up my old Bittylicious account from where I bought the Bitcoins.  Would I find the key there?  Where would I have got that paper wallet from?  Would that have come from Blockchain or Bittylicious?  I would be very greatful for some help.  Thanks.
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4361
I have managed to located the Bitcoins.  They were in a Blockchain.com wallet.  I'm sorry for wasting people's time on here helping to recover them from a Multibit wallet.  It's a few years since I set it up.  I am thinking of cashing them in soon and if the price corrects (which I believe it will) I will buy back in again.
Firstly, thanks for the update... always good to hear how it worked out (positive or negative).


Would it be easy to transfer from Blockchain.com to an exchange?
Sending from blockchain.com to an exchange should not be a problem. Create an account at an exchange, get a deposit address (ensuring your select the BTC wallet address on the exchange and not some Bitcoin fork like BSV or BCH etc), then create your send transaction on Blockchain.com.

Just be wary of what the Bitcoin network activity when you go to send and set your transaction fee accordingly. Blockchain.com has a pretty bad fee algorithm... so you'd be wise to use a "custom" fee and then look at:
https://jochen-hoenicke.de/queue/#BTC,24h
https://mempool.space/
https://bitcoiner.live/

to get an idea of what you'll need to pay based on how quickly you want the transaction confirmed... or how long you might have to wait if you want to send cheaply.


Which exchange is the most reliable?  
As for, "The best exchange"™... that will depend greatly on your particular circumstances and your locale... some exchanges do not allow users from certain locations (countries or even specific states in the US) due to various laws and regulations. Additionally, not all exchanges will allow you to withdraw to your bank etc.

Finally, be prepared to have to walk the KYC/AML regulation trail... you'll probably need to hand over various ID, take selfies holding them and give all your personal details like address/phone etc to create an account and cash out even relatively modest amounts of fiat. Note that trying to provide false information can lead to your account being locked and a lot of hassles. Undecided
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
I have managed to located the Bitcoins.  They were in a Blockchain.com wallet.  I'm sorry for wasting people's time on here helping to recover them from a Multibit wallet.  It's a few years since I set it up.  I am thinking of cashing them in soon and if the price corrects (which I believe it will) I will buy back in again.

Which exchange is the most reliable?  Would it be easy to transfer from Blockchain.com to an exchange?
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4361
Any suggestions?  The address on the paper wallet says there's just under two Bitcoins received and remaining at that address.
What do you want to do with the Bitcoin? Keep hold of them or transfer to an Exchange to convert to fiat?

If you're wanting to hold them, then it might be worth just leaving them exactly where they are... they haven't been "taken" in all this time, so the private key is likely still "safe". Then you can figure out if you want to move them to a different wallet or whatever later.

If you're wanting to convert them, you would need to import the private key into a wallet like Electrum, and then create a transaction to send the coins from there to the exchange of your choice.


I've now managed to look at my old computer and the wallet was Multibit 0.5.14 .  There's an address there which I've searched for using the links posted above and the address comes up as never having received or spent any Bitcoins. Huh  I'm totally confused.  
It was possible to create multiple wallets in MultiBit Classic... so you might want to use the "open wallet" menu in Multibit and see if there are other "xxxxxx.wallet" files... also check how many "xxxxx-data" folders are shown in the MultiBit data directory (multibit should default to this directory when you use the "open wallet" menu option)... each wallet should have it's own "xxxxx-data" folder.
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
I've now managed to look at my old computer and the wallet was Multibit 0.5.14 .  There's an address there which I've searched for using the links posted above and the address comes up as never having received or spent any Bitcoins. Huh  I'm totally confused.  Yes LoyceV the paper wallet I have looks something like that.  It must have been linked to Bittylicious?  But I'm sure I deposited the coins from there into a wallet on my computer.  Any suggestions?  The address on the paper wallet says there's just under two Bitcoins received and remaining at that address.
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
Yes it does show a transaction history with a balance of just under 2 Bitcoins
Is that the address on your paper wallet?

I still have the address for the transaction into the wallet printed on a piece of paper.  It also has two scan boxes; one to load and verity and the other to redeem.  I'm not sure what they mean.
Do you have something like this?
Image loading...
If so, it's as easy as importing the private key into any wallet. But if you have 2 Bitcoins on it, you probably shouldn't risk importing it in a hot wallet (on a system connected to the internet).
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
Yes it does show a transaction history with a balance of just under 2 Bitcoins which is what I thought there should be as a final balance.  But what's confusing me is that it also says that total received was 4.8 Bitcoins.  I didn't purchase that many.  I purchased 2 in total. Huh  I'll try and access my old computer tomorrow. 
HCP
legendary
Activity: 2086
Merit: 4361
What happens if you lookup the "1xxxxx" address that is on the paper wallet using one or more of the following block explorers?

https://www.blockchair.com/
https://www.blockstream.info/
https://www.blockchain.com/
https://www.btc.com/
https://live.blockcypher.com/btc/

Do you see some transaction history? Huh Does it indicate that there is a positive "final balance" or does it show as zero? Huh The transaction history is often the important clue (even with a zero balance), as it means that the address was in fact "used" at some point...

If you have transaction history, but zero balance, it means the coins were spent at some point.
If you have no transaction history, it means the paper wallet was never funded and can be "ignored".


You also really need to check which version of MultiBit you were using... was it MultiBit Classic:



or was it MultiBit HD:



The method to recover coins from each is slightly different.
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
To do that, do I need to open the original wallet on the computer it was originally created and kept on?  I have that at another address.
I'd say try that first. Just to be sure: keep that computer offline while you export the private keys.
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12



To do that, do I need to open the original wallet on the computer it was originally created and kept on?  I have that at another address.
legendary
Activity: 3290
Merit: 16489
Thick-Skinned Gang Leader and Golden Feather 2021
What should I do next?
Have you tried exporting private keys from Multibit?

Quote
Also, why wouldn't the coins show up in the old multibit wallet?
It's discontinued, so it's possible it can't show the last balance without connecting to a server. Or maybe your coins were moved.
jr. member
Activity: 38
Merit: 12
Unfortunately it didn't detect my existing account.

So now I have a standard Electrum wallet with nothing in it.  What should I do next?

Also, why wouldn't the coins show up in the old multibit wallet?
Pages:
Jump to: