When using Xverse Wallet with dApps, marketplaces, or for sending assets, you’ll encounter different types of signature requests. Not all of them perform the same action, some are for verifying ownership, while others authorize transfers.
It’s important to understand what each type of request means for your security and funds. Here are the three main scenarios:
Signing to Connect and Prove Ownership
When connecting your Xverse Wallet to a dApp (like Magic Eden or Magisat) for the first time, you will be prompted to sign a message. This is a way to prove ownership of your wallet address, allowing the platform to confidently display your holdings. No transaction is broadcast, the entire process happens offline and without any fees.
This is safe. Signing a message like this:
- Does not cost anything.
- Does not give the dApp permission to move your funds.
- Only grants read-only access to public wallet data.
However, as a safe practice, always ensure you’re connecting to trusted websites.
Signing to Confirm a Transaction Sent from Xverse
When you manually send BTC, STX, or Ordinals from your wallet, Xverse will ask you to sign and confirm the transaction. Once signed, Xverse Wallet broadcasts it to the network.
You’ll see a Review Transaction screen showing:
- The amount sent with inputs/outputs in details
- Recipient address
- Estimated network fee (which you can adjust)
Important note for Bitcoin transactions in Xverse
- Xverse does not support covering fees using Taproot address inputs.
- Fees must be paid from your Preferred Bitcoin Address (Native Segwit or Nested Segwit).
Signing to Confirm a Transaction Broadcast by a Third Party
When interacting with marketplaces or other dApps (e.g. buying/selling Ordinals or Runes), you may be asked to sign and confirm a transaction created by the platform. In this case:
- You sign the transaction, but it is broadcast by the third-party dApp, not by Xverse.
- The Review screen shows you what assets (e.g. inscriptions or runes) are being transferred with inputs and outputs in details.
Because Xverse does not broadcast the transaction, you cannot adjust the fee rate in the wallet. If you want to change the fee, you’ll need to do that on the dApp platform before signing.
Summary
| Scenario | Who broadcasts it? |
Can it move |
Can you adjust fee in Xverse? |
|
Signing to connect |
No broadcast | ❌ No | ❌ Not applicable |
| Sending transaction from Xverse |
Xverse Wallet | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Signing dApp-prepared transaction | Third-party platform | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Best Practice: Always Review Before Signing
- It’s safe to sign messages that only allow dApps to view your public wallet data.
- Only sign transactions that you fully understand, especially if they result in transferring assets.
- Check inputs, outputs, and asset details carefully on the Review screen.