BIP-32: Hierarchical Deterministic Wallets
Every modern cryptocurrency wallet (Ledger, Trezor, MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet) uses BIP-32 for key derivation. The foundation of the seed phrase model.
What It Defines
Defines the HD wallet standard: deriving a tree of key pairs from a single master seed using HMAC-SHA512. Enables deterministic key derivation so a single backup (seed phrase) can restore an entire wallet.
Canonical (Normative)
Convenient (Practical)
The Bitcoin community's open process for proposing protocol changes, standards, and informational documents. BIPs cover everything from consensus rules to wallet derivation paths and payment URIs.
Related Specs
Seed phrases are the primary backup mechanism for all HD wallets. BIP-39 defines the 12/24 word format, wordlist, and checksum — everything about the backup experience.
Derivation paths determine which addresses you get from a seed phrase on each chain. BIP-44 paths (m/44'/60'/0'/0/0 for ETH) explain why the same seed gives different addresses on different wallets.