Chains and networks
The networks in the picker
Section titled “The networks in the picker”| Network | Unit | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | BTC | Real money. |
| Bitcoin Testnet | tBTC | Test coins with no value. |
| Bitcoin Testnet4 (Beta) | tBTC | Newer test network, labelled Beta in the product. |
| Bitcoin Signet | sBTC | Test network with predictable block production. |
| Dogecoin | DOGE | Real money. |
| Dogecoin Testnet | tDOGE | Test coins with no value. |
| Zcash | ZEC | Real money. Transparent addresses. |
| Zcash Testnet | tZEC | Test coins with no value. |
| Fractal Bitcoin | FB | Real money. |
| Fractal Bitcoin Testnet | tFB | Test coins with no value. |
Entries that a build has not enabled appear in the list marked Coming soon and cannot be selected. They are shown rather than hidden so that the list does not silently change shape between builds.
What switching a network changes
Section titled “What switching a network changes”- The addresses shown, because address formats differ per network.
- The balance, assets, and activity, because they are read per network.
- Which protocol operations are even conceivable, because authorization is recorded per protocol and per network.
What switching does not change
Section titled “What switching does not change”- Your recovery phrase. One phrase covers every network.
- Your keys. They are derived per chain from the same phrase.
- Anything on the chain. Switching is a view change, not a transaction.
Test networks
Section titled “Test networks”Test coins are worthless by design. That is the point: you can practise sending, reviewing, and recovering without risk.
Practising on a test network first is the cheapest safety measure available to you, and almost nobody does it. It is worth twenty minutes.
Connected sites and networks
Section titled “Connected sites and networks”A connection is granted for one address on one network. Switching networks does not extend an existing connection to the new one. A site that needs the other network has to request it, and you approve that separately. See Connection permissions.