Understanding Accounts and Addresses in Conflux Blockchain

Conflux is a high-performance blockchain network designed to support scalable decentralized applications while maintaining security and decentralization. At the heart of its functionality are accounts and addresses, which serve as the foundation for user interaction, asset storage, and smart contract execution. This guide provides a clear, in-depth look at how accounts work in Conflux, the differences between account types, and how addresses are structured across its dual-space architecture.

Whether you're a developer building on Conflux or a user managing digital assets, understanding these core concepts is essential for secure and effective engagement with the ecosystem.

👉 Discover how blockchain accounts work and secure your digital assets today.

What Are Accounts in Conflux?

In Conflux, an account functions similarly to a traditional bank account — it holds CFX (Conflux's native token) and can send or receive transactions. However, unlike banks, there’s no central authority managing these accounts. Instead, they are governed by cryptographic principles and distributed ledger technology.

Each account has a unique address, which acts as an identifier used to retrieve account data from the Conflux Virtual Machine (CVM). This data includes balance information, transaction history, and — in the case of smart contracts — executable code and state.

Note: The implementation of accounts, including their structure and address generation rules, differs slightly between Core Space and eSpace in Conflux. Understanding this distinction is crucial for developers and users operating across both environments.

Address Formats in Core Space vs. eSpace

One of the most visible differences in Conflux’s dual-chain design is the address format, which varies depending on whether you're interacting with Core Space or eSpace.

Core Space Addresses

Core Space uses CIP-37, a custom base32-based encoding format that enhances readability and includes network validation (mainnet vs. testnet). This helps prevent accidental transfers to incorrect networks.

Examples:

// Mainnet
cfx:aatktb2te25ub7dmyag3p8bbdgr31vrbeackztm2rj
// Testnet
cfxtest:aatktb2te25ub7dmyag3p8bbdgr31vrbeajcg9pwkc

The cfx: prefix indicates mainnet, while cfxtest: denotes testnet usage.

eSpace Addresses

eSpace is fully EVM-compatible, meaning it uses the same address format as Ethereum — hexadecimal strings prefixed with 0x. These addresses follow the EIP-55 checksum standard to reduce human error during transactions.

Example:

0x1e97870f263700f46aa00d967821199b9bc5a120

This compatibility allows developers familiar with Ethereum tools (like MetaMask or Hardhat) to seamlessly deploy and interact with dApps on eSpace without modification.

You can explore any Conflux address — from either space — using block explorers like ConfluxScan, where you can view balances, transaction history, and contract details.

Types of Accounts in Conflux

Conflux supports two primary types of accounts:

1. Externally Owned Accounts (EOA)
2. Contract Accounts

Both play distinct roles in the network but share key functionalities.

Externally Owned Accounts (EOA)

An EOA is controlled by a user who holds the corresponding private key. It serves as the starting point for initiating transactions on the network.

Public-Private Key Pairs

Every EOA is based on a cryptographic key pair:

• Private Key: A 64-character hexadecimal string used to sign transactions.
• Public Key: Derived from the private key using Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA).

Example Private Key:

c5eca1e5de819725cf7c6764f4bba7eea95549a40275b21eaff91554c59bef90

Public Key (derived):

0xa82d8039606ea598798ae1c995e2dbad90561d67ffa9555f96e0bc3dbc38c32aa1ede8ab17a137b8515b94b158b49a746c77abc432c2677cb0a6d3240be98872

The address is then generated from the public key:

• In eSpace: Using Keccak-256 hash and taking the last 20 bytes → formatted as 0x...
• In Core Space: Uses CIP-37 encoding with network prefix

👉 Learn how public-private key cryptography secures your blockchain transactions.

Smart Contract Accounts

Smart contracts are self-executing programs deployed on the blockchain. Once live, they operate under their own contract account, which has an address but no private key.

Key characteristics:

• Created when a developer deploys a contract via a transaction from an EOA.
• Execution is triggered by incoming transactions or messages from other contracts.
• Can hold CFX, manage tokens, store data, and interact with other contracts.

Unlike EOAs, contract accounts cannot initiate transactions on their own — they respond only to external calls.

Comparison: EOA vs. Contract Accounts

Similarities Between Account Types

Despite their differences, both account types:

• Can receive, hold, and transfer CFX and fungible/non-fungible tokens.
• Are able to interact with smart contracts on the network.
• Are identified by unique addresses accessible through block explorers.

Key Differences

For Externally Owned Accounts:

• No cost to create.
• Can send transactions independently.
• Limited to sending CFX or token transfers unless interacting with contracts.

For Smart Contracts:

• Deployment incurs network fees due to resource consumption.
• Cannot act autonomously; must be triggered by an external transaction.
• Enable complex logic such as token swaps, lending mechanisms, or governance voting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use MetaMask with Conflux?
A: Yes — especially on eSpace, which is EVM-compatible. You can configure MetaMask to connect to Conflux eSpace using custom RPC settings and manage your accounts just like on Ethereum.

Q: Are Core Space and eSpace addresses interchangeable?
A: No. While both represent accounts on Conflux, they use different formats and operate in separate execution environments. Always confirm which space you're transacting in to avoid loss of funds.

Q: How do I generate a new account securely?
A: Use trusted wallets like Conflux Portal or MetaMask. Never generate keys manually or share your private key. Store recovery phrases offline and encrypted.

Q: What happens if I lose my private key?
A: Like all blockchain systems, lost private keys mean permanent loss of access. There is no central authority to recover accounts — always back up your seed phrase securely.

Q: Can one private key control accounts in both Core Space and eSpace?
A: Yes! The same private key can derive valid addresses in both spaces, allowing unified identity across Conflux’s dual-chain architecture.

👉 Start exploring multi-chain account management securely with advanced tools.

Conclusion

Accounts and addresses form the backbone of user interaction in the Conflux ecosystem. By supporting two distinct yet interoperable spaces — Core Space with its optimized CIP-37 addresses and eSpace with Ethereum-like compatibility — Conflux offers flexibility for both innovators and mainstream users.

Understanding the nuances between EOAs and contract accounts, how addresses are generated, and where each type can be used ensures safer, more efficient participation in decentralized finance, gaming, NFTs, and beyond.

As blockchain adoption grows, mastering these foundational elements empowers users to navigate not only Conflux but also broader Web3 landscapes with confidence.

Core Keywords: Conflux accounts, blockchain addresses, externally owned account (EOA), smart contract account, CFX wallet, EVM-compatible blockchain, CIP-37 address format, public-private key cryptography