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Signing a message on private crypto wallet
Message signing is a technique that can be used to verify your identity if you ever need to confirm that you are the wallet address's owner. A key component of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is message signing, which enables wallet owners to verify that they have access to the funds stored in a specific wallet address without actually moving any of the asset.

What does a signed message consist of?

There are three essential components to a signed message:
  • A signed message
  • An address
  • A signature
The address is the wallet address you are confirming, and the signed message is the complete piece of text. One of the most crucial elements of the text is the signature, which verifies that the signed message was delivered by the designated person.

How to sign a message

All you need is a wallet application that supports message signing. Utilizing the wallet application, you can search for the message signing feature, which will produce your signed message.
You can also create signed messages using some web services, but you should be extremely selective about which ones you choose. To use these, you'll need to link your wallet, so be sure the service is reliable and authentic. Fraudsters have been found to fabricate message generators that, if they get access, they are able to take all of your cryptocurrency.
Ethereum using Etherscan
  1. 1
    Navigate to the 'Sign Message' section:
    Visit etherscan.io and access the home screen, select the ‘More’ dropdown from the top right menu and under ‘Services’ select ‘Verified Signature’.
    Choose 'Sign Message' from the menu bar at the top of the page. Usually, the explorer's wallet services or user profile sections contain this option.
    sign
    To link your wallet, simply follow the prompt. Coinbase and Metamask wallets are supported. WalletConnect can also be used to connect to any other compatible wallet.
    wallet
  2. 2
    Type the message you wish to sign:
    Place the exact message you wish to sign in the 'Message’ section. This could be a proclamation, an ownership statement, or any other content that requires verification.
  3. 3
    Click the 'Sign Message' Button:
    Click the 'Sign Message' button to confirm the message you just entered. Depending on your wallet provider, you may be prompted to confirm the action in your wallet (e.g., Metamask, Ledger, etc.).
  4. 4
    Provide Kraken a copy of the Address, Message and Signature Hash exactly as shown. We recommend using the “copy” feature in Etherscan as the message is case-sensitive and must match exactly for verification purposes. Do not publish the signed message.
    Verify
    Verify Your Signed Message
    To verify your signed message, click Verify Signature. Enter the necessary information and click “Continue”.
    verify3
    The next prompt will verify if the message is valid.

Bitcoin using a Trezor wallet
  1. 1
    Connect your Trezor:
    Use the USB cord to connect the Trezor device to your computer. Installing the Trezor Bridge or Trezor Suite may be necessary if this is your first time connecting the device in order to enable communication between it and the PC.
  2. 2
    Navigate to the Trezor Wallet interface:
    Access the Trezor web wallet interface or launch Trezor Suite. To unlock your Trezor, enter your PIN if prompted.
  3. 3
    Choose your Bitcoin account:
    Open the Bitcoin (BTC) account that you want to use to sign the message. To do this, click the "Accounts" option on the side menu, then pick the appropriate Bitcoin account.
  4. 4
    Click Sign and Verify:
    Find the "Sign & Verify" function in the web wallet or Trezor Suite interface. Usually, this option can be located in the settings of the chosen Bitcoin account or in the main menu.
    Signverify
  5. 5
    Enter the text for signing:
    Under the designated text field, type the message you want to sign under the "Sign & Verify" section. Make sure you enter the message just as it should be signed.
    Signverify3
  6. 6
    Input Your Bitcoin Address:
    When signing the message with your Trezor, enter the Bitcoin address linked to your Trezor. This address should come from the Bitcoin account you have chosen.
  7. 7
    Select "Sign Message" button. You might be prompted by your Trezor device to confirm the activity. To check the information and validate the signing procedure, adhere to the directions displayed on your Trezor screen.
  8. 8
    Once the message is signed, the Trezor interface will show the signature. Copy the signature provided. You will use this to confirm the message.

Verify your signed message

  1. 1
    In Trezor Suite, choose the account you want to use for message verification. Then, click the three dots and choose Sign & Verify.
  2. 2
    Copy and paste your signed message into the message field. In the Address field, paste the address that was used to sign the message. Paste the signature into the Signature box when you're done. Select "Verify”.
  3. 3
    If done correctly, your Trezor device should display the beginning of the message. If not, Trezor Suite will display an error message.
    Complete
    "Message verified" will show up on your computer screen after you have verified the signing on your Trezor.

Resources

Message signing will largely depend on a combination of the asset in question and the wallet holding the asset. For simplicity sake, we have provided some helpful resources below for a few popular assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Dash.