Satoshi Test
Definition
A Satoshi Test is a way to prove ownership of a cryptocurrency wallet: the holder sends a small, uniquely-sized amount from that wallet to a one-time address named by the verifier. When the transaction confirms on-chain, it demonstrates the sender controls the wallet's private keys, without ever revealing them.
How a Satoshi Test works
- The verifier issues a one-time deposit address and an exact amount (often a random number of satoshis or wei, hence the name).
- You send exactly that amount from the wallet being verified, not from an exchange account.
- The transaction confirms on-chain (typically 1-3 blocks) and the verifier matches sender, amount, and timing.
- Ownership is established: only someone controlling the wallet's keys could have sent that exact transaction.
Why exchanges and banks ask for it
Under the EU Transfer of Funds Regulation (the European implementation of the FATF Travel Rule), crypto-asset service providers must verify that a self-hosted wallet involved in a transfer above EUR 1,000 actually belongs to their customer. The Satoshi Test is one of the few verification methods that works on every blockchain, because it relies only on the ability to sign a transaction.
How CryptoPass runs it
CryptoPass uses a refundable micro-amount sent to a one-time address, confirmed on-chain in 1-3 blocks, and works across all supported chains (BTC, ETH, SOL, TRX, GRAM, USDT). For Ethereum and compatible chains, WalletConnect offers an instant alternative that requires no transaction at all. The resulting ownership proof becomes part of the KYW certificate, so you don't repeat the test for every counterparty.
FAQ
Is a Satoshi Test safe?
Yes. It never involves your seed phrase or private keys: you simply send a normal transaction from your own wallet. Anyone who asks for keys or a seed phrase under the name 'verification' is running a scam, not a Satoshi Test.
How long does a Satoshi Test take?
As long as one on-chain confirmation takes, typically 1-3 blocks. On Bitcoin that means roughly 10-30 minutes; on faster chains it can be under a minute.
Do I get the test amount back?
That depends on the verifier. In the CryptoPass flow the micro-amount is refundable; network transaction fees are set by the blockchain, not the verifier.
Guides on this topic
Free basic check · no card, no KYC upfront