What Every Investigator Should Know

The world of blockchain investigations is both fascinating and complex, filled with layers of intricacies that demand a keen eye for detail. Among these complexities is the phenomenon of addresses appearing on multiple blockchains — a seemingly straightforward concept that harbors significant implications for crypto forensics. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into how this happens, what it means for blockchain investigations, and how investigators can effectively navigate this challenge.

How Can the Same Address Exist on Different Chains?

At the heart of this mystery lies the cryptographic foundation of blockchain networks. A blockchain address is derived from a public-private key pair, generated using a seed phrase. When the same cryptographic inputs are used, identical addresses can be created across various blockchains — particularly those that are Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible.

EVM Compatibility: A Key Factor

Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchains, such as Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, and Polygon, use similar underlying mechanisms for address creation. This compatibility allows for seamless interaction between these chains and the reuse of addresses. Here’s why this happens: