The Unified Account Model simplifies your experience by allowing one account to work across multiple blockchains like XPR, Metal, Ethereum, and other supported networks. Instead of managing multiple wallets, you can use a single identity and switch networks seamlessly.
1. What is the Unified Account Model?
The Unified Account Model allows users to:
Create one account and use it across different chains.
Avoid managing multiple key pairs for each network.
Easily switch networks within the wallet using a single seed phrase or private key.
2. How It Works
Case 1: Creating an Account via XPR Network
Choose an actor name (unique on XPR).
Select an @username.
Provide your email address.
A mnemonic phrase is generated.
A key pair (private/public) is derived.
The account is registered on the XPR blockchain.
✅ The keys generated here are the root keys and will be transformed for use on other networks.
Case 2: Creating an Account via Another Network (e.g. Ethereum)
If you sign up on another network:
The app creates an XPR account silently in the background.
-
The XPR mnemonic is reused:
Metal supports XPR mnemonics directly.
-
For EVM chains (Ethereum, etc.):
The XPR key is converted into HEX format to support EVM compatibility.
✅ You only manage one seed phrase for all chains.
3. Network Switching
You can switch between supported chains within the wallet.
The app recognizes the same account identity if it originated from XPR.
You’ll still see your @username and avatar in settings.
On non-XPR chains, your public address is displayed instead of your actor name.
4. @usernames
Only the XPR Network supports @usernames.
When switching to other chains, the wallet retains your profile visuals and username in settings, but not on-chain.
5. Key Conversion Between Networks
All networks use the secp256k1 cryptographic curve, but differ in key formatting:
| Network | Key Format |
|---|---|
| XPR | base58 (CB58) |
| EVM | HEX |
| Metal | base58 + PrivateKey- prefix |
Supported Conversions:
| From → To | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| XPR → EVM | convertProtonToEVMPvtKey |
base58 → HEX |
| EVM → XPR | convertEVMToProtonPvtKey |
HEX → base58 |
| XPR → Metal | convertProtonToMetalPvtKey |
base58 → Metal format |
| EVM → Metal | convertEVMToMetalPvtKey |
HEX → base58 + prefix |
| Metal → XPR | convertMetalToProtonPvtKey |
Metal format → base58 |
| Metal → EVM | convertMetalToEVMPvtKey |
Metal format → HEX |
6. Important Limitations
⚠️ Imported EVM Keys May Not Link to XPR
If you import an EVM private key, the app cannot confirm if it was originally tied to your XPR account.
This creates an unlinked wallet, outside your unified identity.
⚠️ Changing XPR Keys Breaks Recovery
-
During account creation, the app generates:
1 owner key pair
1 active key pair
These are derived from your seed phrase, which stays on your device.
If you manually change your keys on-chain, your seed phrase can no longer recover the updated keys.
To avoid loss, do not manually change your XPR keys unless you store the new ones separately.
7. Accessing Balances on Metal Networks
Metal blockchain includes 3 chains: X, P, and C.
| Chain | Model | Recovery Needs |
|---|---|---|
| X & P | UTXO | Requires mnemonic for full balance |
| C | Account | Works like Ethereum; private key is enough |
🔑 Mnemonic vs Private Key
Mnemonic gives access to all addresses across X and P chains.
Private key gives access to only one address, so you may not see your full balance.
✅ Summary: Best Practices
Always create your account via the XPR Network if possible.
Use the mnemonic phrase to recover your full wallet.
Avoid changing your XPR keys unless you back up the new ones.
Use mnemonic for Metal X & P chain access.