Color is also a variable. [Lots of variations](https://github.com/drhus/awesome-identicons?tab=readme-ov-file) on this idea, too, that might be better for security and legibility.

Totally agree that it's more of a quick gut-check. In most cases, it would just take a split second to compare two of these.

They're cool but I'm not sure about the security.  Looks like 2^25 possible icons.  Would make a great quick second level check though.

joda

i love the identicon idea

unlikely to be adopted though :/ 

saunter

that visual formatting helps a TON.  Both grouping AND alternating colors.

bitcoin

Why don't wallets show addresses as mnemonic words?

Visual formatting ([example](https://bitcoin.design/guide/glossary/address/#visual-formatting)) can make this a lot easier.

There's also the idea of [identicons](http://identicon.net/) to create a unique graphic for a quick visual check (just has the chicken-end-egg problem since it requires both places that show the address to also show the visual).