tz1tz2tz3

tz1tz2tz3 is a shorthand used in Tezos to refer collectively to the three standard prefixes for implicit Tezos accounts: tz1, tz2, and tz3. Each prefix marks a different cryptographic scheme used to derive the public key hash that forms an implicit account address on the Tezos blockchain.

In Tezos, implicit accounts are type-based addresses that receive funds and can be controlled by a corresponding private key. The prefix of a Tezos address indicates which cryptographic curve was used to generate the key pair and the associated public key hash. Specifically, tz1 indicates Ed25519 keys, tz2 indicates Secp256k1 keys, and tz3 indicates P-256 keys. These addresses are human-readable forms of the underlying key hashes and are represented using a base58-like encoding with a type-specific prefix.

The creation process for a tz1, tz2, or tz3 address begins with generating a public key using the chosen cryptographic scheme. The public key is hashed to produce a public key hash, which is then encoded with the corresponding prefix to yield the Tezos address. This encoding ensures that the address starts with tz1, tz2, or tz3, signaling the associated key type to wallets and validators.

Usage and significance: The tz1/tz2/tz3 prefixes allow Tezos to accommodate multiple cryptographic standards within a single protocol, improving interoperability and flexibility for users and wallet providers. Transactions can be sent to any tz1, tz2, or tz3 address, with the understanding that access to the funds requires the appropriate private key for the corresponding cryptographic scheme.

Related topics include Tezos implicit accounts, originations, and the broader Tezos addressing system.