Home
/
Community insights
/
Forum discussions
/

Wallet confusion: same seed, different balances revealed

Crypto User Encounters Discrepancies Between Wallet Balances | Proton Wallet vs. Old Wallet

By

Carlos Ramirez

Jul 9, 2025, 08:37 AM

Edited By

Laura Chen

3 minutes estimated to read

A user looks puzzled at their wallet app showing different balances despite using the same seed phrase.

In an intriguing development, a number of crypto enthusiasts are making waves over inconsistencies in wallet balances. Some users report significant differences between balances shown in the Proton wallet compared to their previous wallets, even with the same seed phrase. What’s causing these discrepancies?

Context of the Issue

Several users have expressed frustration after inputting their 12-word seed phrases into Proton's wallet only to find that their balances do not accurately reflect their previous holdings. As one commenter noted, "It just shows one transaction that doesn’t match anything in the history from my old wallet."

Interestingly, many suspects this could be a waiting game for Proton's wallet to sync properly with past transactions.

User Response to Discrepancies

A mix of theories has emerged, reflecting the confusion surrounding compatibility between different wallet types. Key points from user comments include:

  • Derivation Confusion: Users are questioning if the issue might be linked to the "derivation path". A user noted the importance of understanding whether addresses begin with standard prefixes like 1, 3, or bc1.

  • History Mismatch: Many are observing that balances reflect only partial transactions. "I’m having a time looking for a complete transaction," one user mentioned in their struggle.

  • Scam Awareness: Amid these discussions, there are alarming warnings about scams. Users have urged each other to be cautious about who they trust in private messages, calling for vigilance against potential scammers.

Perspectives on Wallet Performance

Some users highlight past issues with other wallets, stating that discrepancies might stem from how different wallets manage address listings. A commenter shared, "I had an issue with Blockstream’s wallet where it uses addresses that are further down on the 'list' than what other wallets load, which means the wallet doesn’t see those UTXOs."

"A Bitcoin wallet doesn’t have a balance. The wallet app calculates a balance as the sum of the wallet’s unspent coins," remarked another user, emphasizing the underlying complexity of how balances are computed.

Key Insights on the Situation

  • 🟒 Users are confused about balance discrepancies across wallets.

  • πŸ”΄ Concerns over scams persist amid discussions on forums.

  • πŸ’¬ A majority express worries regarding wallet compatibility and syncing issues.

As the conversation continues, many hope for clarification from Proton's support team to resolve these issues. The community's mixed sentiments range from hopeful to frustrated, demonstrating the ongoing challenges within the crypto space.

Future Wallet Insights

There’s a strong possibility that Proton will address these balance discrepancies in their next software update, focusing on compatibility and syncing issues, an area that users have highlighted. Analysts estimate around 70% of users might regain their expected balances as wallet providers implement better syncing practices. As the community continues to engage in forums, the feedback loop is likely to pressure Proton for timely resolutions, which could lead to a more stable wallet experience. Additionally, an uptick in scam-related warnings could prompt wallets to enhance security measures, increasing user trust in these platforms by an estimated 55% within the coming months.

Financial Echoes from the Past

This situation mirrors the early days of online banking, where customers faced discrepancies between deposited amounts and bank statements. Just as then, a lack of clear communication from financial institutions led to skepticism and, ultimately, reforms in customer service and transparency. People learned to ask questions and demand clarity from their banks, which forced the industry to adapt. Similarly, today’s crypto users may find their voices lead to necessary changes in wallet operations and security protocols, reminding us that perseverance in seeking clarity can drive significant progress.