Can someone predict future Bitcoin receiving addresses if they get my account xpub?

Usually yes for non-hardened addresses on that account. An extended public key permits derivation of a sequence of receiving addresses without spending authority, so sharing it can disclose historical and future payment activity.

The answer

Usually yes for non-hardened addresses on that account. An extended public key permits derivation of a sequence of receiving addresses without spending authority, so sharing it can disclose historical and future payment activity.

What to do next

Treat xpubs and watch-only exports as sensitive information; share them only with a service whose privacy policy and security you accept.

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Frequently asked questions

Does an xpub alone let someone spend my bitcoin?

Ordinarily no. An xpub does not contain the private signing keys.

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