diff --git a/lib/privatekey.js b/lib/privatekey.js
index e9b5ea374..6f4cae75b 100644
--- a/lib/privatekey.js
+++ b/lib/privatekey.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 'use strict';
 
+var _ = require('lodash');
 var Address = require('./address');
 var base58check = require('./encoding/base58check');
 var BN = require('./crypto/bn');
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ var PrivateKey = function PrivateKey(data, network, compressed) {
   };
 
   // detect type of data
-  if (!data){
+  if (_.isUndefined(data)){
     info.bn = PrivateKey._getRandomBN();
   } else if (data instanceof BN) {
     info.bn = data;
@@ -61,6 +62,9 @@ var PrivateKey = function PrivateKey(data, network, compressed) {
   }
 
   // validation
+  if (!info.bn || info.bn.cmp(0) === 0){
+    throw new TypeError('Number can not be equal to zero, undefined, null or false');
+  }
   if (!info.bn.lt(Point.getN())) {
     throw new TypeError('Number must be less than N');
   }
diff --git a/test/address.js b/test/address.js
index 54918616d..fa22ad342 100644
--- a/test/address.js
+++ b/test/address.js
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 
 /* jshint maxstatements: 30 */
 
-var should = require('chai').should();
+var chai = require('chai');
+var should = chai.should();
+var expect = chai.expect;
 
 var bitcore = require('..');
 var PublicKey = bitcore.PublicKey;
@@ -10,6 +12,9 @@ var Address = bitcore.Address;
 var Script = bitcore.Script;
 var Networks = bitcore.Networks;
 
+var validbase58 = require('./data/bitcoind/base58_keys_valid.json');
+var invalidbase58 = require('./data/bitcoind/base58_keys_invalid.json');
+
 describe('Address', function() {
 
   var pubkeyhash = new Buffer('3c3fa3d4adcaf8f52d5b1843975e122548269937', 'hex');
@@ -34,6 +39,32 @@ describe('Address', function() {
     }).should.throw('Third argument must be "pubkeyhash" or "scripthash"');
   });
 
+  describe('bitcoind compliance', function() {
+    validbase58.map(function(d){
+      if (!d[2].isPrivkey) {
+        it('should describe address ' + d[0] + ' as valid', function() {
+          var type;
+          if (d[2].addrType === 'script') {
+            type = 'scripthash';
+          } else if (d[2].addrType === 'pubkey') {
+            type = 'pubkeyhash';
+          }
+          var network = 'livenet';
+          if (d[2].isTestnet) {
+            network = 'testnet';
+          }
+          return new Address(d[0], network, type);
+        });
+      }
+    });
+    invalidbase58.map(function(d){
+      it('should describe input ' + d[0].slice(0,10) + '... as invalid', function() {
+        expect(function() {
+          return new Address(d[0]);
+        }).to.throw(Error);
+      });
+    });
+  });
 
   // livenet valid
   var PKHLivenet = [
diff --git a/test/data/bitcoind/base58_keys_invalid.json b/test/data/bitcoind/base58_keys_invalid.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..615fe55c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/data/bitcoind/base58_keys_invalid.json
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+[
+  [
+    ""
+  ],
+  [
+    "x"
+  ],
+  [
+    "37qgekLpCCHrQuSjvX3fs496FWTGsHFHizjJAs6NPcR47aefnnCWECAhHV6E3g4YN7u7Yuwod5Y"
+  ],
+  [
+    "dzb7VV1Ui55BARxv7ATxAtCUeJsANKovDGWFVgpTbhq9gvPqP3yv"
+  ],
+  [
+    "MuNu7ZAEDFiHthiunm7dPjwKqrVNCM3mAz6rP9zFveQu14YA8CxExSJTHcVP9DErn6u84E6Ej7S"
+  ],
+  [
+    "rPpQpYknyNQ5AEHuY6H8ijJJrYc2nDKKk9jjmKEXsWzyAQcFGpDLU2Zvsmoi8JLR7hAwoy3RQWf"
+  ],
+  [
+    "4Uc3FmN6NQ6zLBK5QQBXRBUREaaHwCZYsGCueHauuDmJpZKn6jkEskMB2Zi2CNgtb5r6epWEFfUJq"
+  ],
+  [
+    "7aQgR5DFQ25vyXmqZAWmnVCjL3PkBcdVkBUpjrjMTcghHx3E8wb"
+  ],
+  [
+    "17QpPprjeg69fW1DV8DcYYCKvWjYhXvWkov6MJ1iTTvMFj6weAqW7wybZeH57WTNxXVCRH4veVs"
+  ],
+  [
+    "KxuACDviz8Xvpn1xAh9MfopySZNuyajYMZWz16Dv2mHHryznWUp3"
+  ],
+  [
+    "7nK3GSmqdXJQtdohvGfJ7KsSmn3TmGqExug49583bDAL91pVSGq5xS9SHoAYL3Wv3ijKTit65th"
+  ],
+  [
+    "cTivdBmq7bay3RFGEBBuNfMh2P1pDCgRYN2Wbxmgwr4ki3jNUL2va"
+  ],
+  [
+    "gjMV4vjNjyMrna4fsAr8bWxAbwtmMUBXJS3zL4NJt5qjozpbQLmAfK1uA3CquSqsZQMpoD1g2nk"
+  ],
+  [
+    "emXm1naBMoVzPjbk7xpeTVMFy4oDEe25UmoyGgKEB1gGWsK8kRGs"
+  ],
+  [
+    "7VThQnNRj1o3Zyvc7XHPRrjDf8j2oivPTeDXnRPYWeYGE4pXeRJDZgf28ppti5hsHWXS2GSobdqyo"
+  ],
+  [
+    "1G9u6oCVCPh2o8m3t55ACiYvG1y5BHewUkDSdiQarDcYXXhFHYdzMdYfUAhfxn5vNZBwpgUNpso"
+  ],
+  [
+    "31QQ7ZMLkScDiB4VyZjuptr7AEc9j1SjstF7pRoLhHTGkW4Q2y9XELobQmhhWxeRvqcukGd1XCq"
+  ],
+  [
+    "DHqKSnpxa8ZdQyH8keAhvLTrfkyBMQxqngcQA5N8LQ9KVt25kmGN"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2LUHcJPbwLCy9GLH1qXmfmAwvadWw4bp4PCpDfduLqV17s6iDcy1imUwhQJhAoNoN1XNmweiJP4i"
+  ],
+  [
+    "7USRzBXAnmck8fX9HmW7RAb4qt92VFX6soCnts9s74wxm4gguVhtG5of8fZGbNPJA83irHVY6bCos"
+  ],
+  [
+    "1DGezo7BfVebZxAbNT3XGujdeHyNNBF3vnficYoTSp4PfK2QaML9bHzAMxke3wdKdHYWmsMTJVu"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2D12DqDZKwCxxkzs1ZATJWvgJGhQ4cFi3WrizQ5zLAyhN5HxuAJ1yMYaJp8GuYsTLLxTAz6otCfb"
+  ],
+  [
+    "8AFJzuTujXjw1Z6M3fWhQ1ujDW7zsV4ePeVjVo7D1egERqSW9nZ"
+  ],
+  [
+    "163Q17qLbTCue8YY3AvjpUhotuaodLm2uqMhpYirsKjVqnxJRWTEoywMVY3NbBAHuhAJ2cF9GAZ"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2MnmgiRH4eGLyLc9eAqStzk7dFgBjFtUCtu"
+  ],
+  [
+    "461QQ2sYWxU7H2PV4oBwJGNch8XVTYYbZxU"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2UCtv53VttmQYkVU4VMtXB31REvQg4ABzs41AEKZ8UcB7DAfVzdkV9JDErwGwyj5AUHLkmgZeobs"
+  ],
+  [
+    "cSNjAsnhgtiFMi6MtfvgscMB2Cbhn2v1FUYfviJ1CdjfidvmeW6mn"
+  ],
+  [
+    "gmsow2Y6EWAFDFE1CE4Hd3Tpu2BvfmBfG1SXsuRARbnt1WjkZnFh1qGTiptWWbjsq2Q6qvpgJVj"
+  ],
+  [
+    "nksUKSkzS76v8EsSgozXGMoQFiCoCHzCVajFKAXqzK5on9ZJYVHMD5CKwgmX3S3c7M1U3xabUny"
+  ],
+  [
+    "L3favK1UzFGgdzYBF2oBT5tbayCo4vtVBLJhg2iYuMeePxWG8SQc"
+  ],
+  [
+    "7VxLxGGtYT6N99GdEfi6xz56xdQ8nP2dG1CavuXx7Rf2PrvNMTBNevjkfgs9JmkcGm6EXpj8ipyPZ"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2mbZwFXF6cxShaCo2czTRB62WTx9LxhTtpP"
+  ],
+  [
+    "dB7cwYdcPSgiyAwKWL3JwCVwSk6epU2txw"
+  ],
+  [
+    "HPhFUhUAh8ZQQisH8QQWafAxtQYju3SFTX"
+  ],
+  [
+    "4ctAH6AkHzq5ioiM1m9T3E2hiYEev5mTsB"
+  ],
+  [
+    "Hn1uFi4dNexWrqARpjMqgT6cX1UsNPuV3cHdGg9ExyXw8HTKadbktRDtdeVmY3M1BxJStiL4vjJ"
+  ],
+  [
+    "Sq3fDbvutABmnAHHExJDgPLQn44KnNC7UsXuT7KZecpaYDMU9Txs"
+  ],
+  [
+    "6TqWyrqdgUEYDQU1aChMuFMMEimHX44qHFzCUgGfqxGgZNMUVWJ"
+  ],
+  [
+    "giqJo7oWqFxNKWyrgcBxAVHXnjJ1t6cGoEffce5Y1y7u649Noj5wJ4mmiUAKEVVrYAGg2KPB3Y4"
+  ],
+  [
+    "cNzHY5e8vcmM3QVJUcjCyiKMYfeYvyueq5qCMV3kqcySoLyGLYUK"
+  ],
+  [
+    "37uTe568EYc9WLoHEd9jXEvUiWbq5LFLscNyqvAzLU5vBArUJA6eydkLmnMwJDjkL5kXc2VK7ig"
+  ],
+  [
+    "EsYbG4tWWWY45G31nox838qNdzksbPySWc"
+  ],
+  [
+    "nbuzhfwMoNzA3PaFnyLcRxE9bTJPDkjZ6Rf6Y6o2ckXZfzZzXBT"
+  ],
+  [
+    "cQN9PoxZeCWK1x56xnz6QYAsvR11XAce3Ehp3gMUdfSQ53Y2mPzx"
+  ],
+  [
+    "1Gm3N3rkef6iMbx4voBzaxtXcmmiMTqZPhcuAepRzYUJQW4qRpEnHvMojzof42hjFRf8PE2jPde"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2TAq2tuN6x6m233bpT7yqdYQPELdTDJn1eU"
+  ],
+  [
+    "ntEtnnGhqPii4joABvBtSEJG6BxjT2tUZqE8PcVYgk3RHpgxgHDCQxNbLJf7ardf1dDk2oCQ7Cf"
+  ],
+  [
+    "Ky1YjoZNgQ196HJV3HpdkecfhRBmRZdMJk89Hi5KGfpfPwS2bUbfd"
+  ],
+  [
+    "2A1q1YsMZowabbvta7kTy2Fd6qN4r5ZCeG3qLpvZBMzCixMUdkN2Y4dHB1wPsZAeVXUGD83MfRED"
+  ]
+]
diff --git a/test/data/bitcoind/base58_keys_valid.json b/test/data/bitcoind/base58_keys_valid.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4a8d35202
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/data/bitcoind/base58_keys_valid.json
@@ -0,0 +1,452 @@
+[
+  [
+    "1AGNa15ZQXAZUgFiqJ2i7Z2DPU2J6hW62i",
+    "65a16059864a2fdbc7c99a4723a8395bc6f188eb",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "3CMNFxN1oHBc4R1EpboAL5yzHGgE611Xou",
+    "74f209f6ea907e2ea48f74fae05782ae8a665257",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "mo9ncXisMeAoXwqcV5EWuyncbmCcQN4rVs",
+    "53c0307d6851aa0ce7825ba883c6bd9ad242b486",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "2N2JD6wb56AfK4tfmM6PwdVmoYk2dCKf4Br",
+    "6349a418fc4578d10a372b54b45c280cc8c4382f",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "5Kd3NBUAdUnhyzenEwVLy9pBKxSwXvE9FMPyR4UKZvpe6E3AgLr",
+    "eddbdc1168f1daeadbd3e44c1e3f8f5a284c2029f78ad26af98583a499de5b19",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "Kz6UJmQACJmLtaQj5A3JAge4kVTNQ8gbvXuwbmCj7bsaabudb3RD",
+    "55c9bccb9ed68446d1b75273bbce89d7fe013a8acd1625514420fb2aca1a21c4",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "9213qJab2HNEpMpYNBa7wHGFKKbkDn24jpANDs2huN3yi4J11ko",
+    "36cb93b9ab1bdabf7fb9f2c04f1b9cc879933530ae7842398eef5a63a56800c2",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "cTpB4YiyKiBcPxnefsDpbnDxFDffjqJob8wGCEDXxgQ7zQoMXJdH",
+    "b9f4892c9e8282028fea1d2667c4dc5213564d41fc5783896a0d843fc15089f3",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "1Ax4gZtb7gAit2TivwejZHYtNNLT18PUXJ",
+    "6d23156cbbdcc82a5a47eee4c2c7c583c18b6bf4",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "3QjYXhTkvuj8qPaXHTTWb5wjXhdsLAAWVy",
+    "fcc5460dd6e2487c7d75b1963625da0e8f4c5975",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "n3ZddxzLvAY9o7184TB4c6FJasAybsw4HZ",
+    "f1d470f9b02370fdec2e6b708b08ac431bf7a5f7",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "2NBFNJTktNa7GZusGbDbGKRZTxdK9VVez3n",
+    "c579342c2c4c9220205e2cdc285617040c924a0a",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "5K494XZwps2bGyeL71pWid4noiSNA2cfCibrvRWqcHSptoFn7rc",
+    "a326b95ebae30164217d7a7f57d72ab2b54e3be64928a19da0210b9568d4015e",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "L1RrrnXkcKut5DEMwtDthjwRcTTwED36thyL1DebVrKuwvohjMNi",
+    "7d998b45c219a1e38e99e7cbd312ef67f77a455a9b50c730c27f02c6f730dfb4",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "93DVKyFYwSN6wEo3E2fCrFPUp17FtrtNi2Lf7n4G3garFb16CRj",
+    "d6bca256b5abc5602ec2e1c121a08b0da2556587430bcf7e1898af2224885203",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "cTDVKtMGVYWTHCb1AFjmVbEbWjvKpKqKgMaR3QJxToMSQAhmCeTN",
+    "a81ca4e8f90181ec4b61b6a7eb998af17b2cb04de8a03b504b9e34c4c61db7d9",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "1C5bSj1iEGUgSTbziymG7Cn18ENQuT36vv",
+    "7987ccaa53d02c8873487ef919677cd3db7a6912",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "3AnNxabYGoTxYiTEZwFEnerUoeFXK2Zoks",
+    "63bcc565f9e68ee0189dd5cc67f1b0e5f02f45cb",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "n3LnJXCqbPjghuVs8ph9CYsAe4Sh4j97wk",
+    "ef66444b5b17f14e8fae6e7e19b045a78c54fd79",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "2NB72XtkjpnATMggui83aEtPawyyKvnbX2o",
+    "c3e55fceceaa4391ed2a9677f4a4d34eacd021a0",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "5KaBW9vNtWNhc3ZEDyNCiXLPdVPHCikRxSBWwV9NrpLLa4LsXi9",
+    "e75d936d56377f432f404aabb406601f892fd49da90eb6ac558a733c93b47252",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "L1axzbSyynNYA8mCAhzxkipKkfHtAXYF4YQnhSKcLV8YXA874fgT",
+    "8248bd0375f2f75d7e274ae544fb920f51784480866b102384190b1addfbaa5c",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "927CnUkUbasYtDwYwVn2j8GdTuACNnKkjZ1rpZd2yBB1CLcnXpo",
+    "44c4f6a096eac5238291a94cc24c01e3b19b8d8cef72874a079e00a242237a52",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "cUcfCMRjiQf85YMzzQEk9d1s5A4K7xL5SmBCLrezqXFuTVefyhY7",
+    "d1de707020a9059d6d3abaf85e17967c6555151143db13dbb06db78df0f15c69",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "1Gqk4Tv79P91Cc1STQtU3s1W6277M2CVWu",
+    "adc1cc2081a27206fae25792f28bbc55b831549d",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "33vt8ViH5jsr115AGkW6cEmEz9MpvJSwDk",
+    "188f91a931947eddd7432d6e614387e32b244709",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "mhaMcBxNh5cqXm4aTQ6EcVbKtfL6LGyK2H",
+    "1694f5bc1a7295b600f40018a618a6ea48eeb498",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "2MxgPqX1iThW3oZVk9KoFcE5M4JpiETssVN",
+    "3b9b3fd7a50d4f08d1a5b0f62f644fa7115ae2f3",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "5HtH6GdcwCJA4ggWEL1B3jzBBUB8HPiBi9SBc5h9i4Wk4PSeApR",
+    "091035445ef105fa1bb125eccfb1882f3fe69592265956ade751fd095033d8d0",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "L2xSYmMeVo3Zek3ZTsv9xUrXVAmrWxJ8Ua4cw8pkfbQhcEFhkXT8",
+    "ab2b4bcdfc91d34dee0ae2a8c6b6668dadaeb3a88b9859743156f462325187af",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "92xFEve1Z9N8Z641KQQS7ByCSb8kGjsDzw6fAmjHN1LZGKQXyMq",
+    "b4204389cef18bbe2b353623cbf93e8678fbc92a475b664ae98ed594e6cf0856",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "cVM65tdYu1YK37tNoAyGoJTR13VBYFva1vg9FLuPAsJijGvG6NEA",
+    "e7b230133f1b5489843260236b06edca25f66adb1be455fbd38d4010d48faeef",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "1JwMWBVLtiqtscbaRHai4pqHokhFCbtoB4",
+    "c4c1b72491ede1eedaca00618407ee0b772cad0d",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "3QCzvfL4ZRvmJFiWWBVwxfdaNBT8EtxB5y",
+    "f6fe69bcb548a829cce4c57bf6fff8af3a5981f9",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "mizXiucXRCsEriQCHUkCqef9ph9qtPbZZ6",
+    "261f83568a098a8638844bd7aeca039d5f2352c0",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "2NEWDzHWwY5ZZp8CQWbB7ouNMLqCia6YRda",
+    "e930e1834a4d234702773951d627cce82fbb5d2e",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "5KQmDryMNDcisTzRp3zEq9e4awRmJrEVU1j5vFRTKpRNYPqYrMg",
+    "d1fab7ab7385ad26872237f1eb9789aa25cc986bacc695e07ac571d6cdac8bc0",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "L39Fy7AC2Hhj95gh3Yb2AU5YHh1mQSAHgpNixvm27poizcJyLtUi",
+    "b0bbede33ef254e8376aceb1510253fc3550efd0fcf84dcd0c9998b288f166b3",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "91cTVUcgydqyZLgaANpf1fvL55FH53QMm4BsnCADVNYuWuqdVys",
+    "037f4192c630f399d9271e26c575269b1d15be553ea1a7217f0cb8513cef41cb",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "cQspfSzsgLeiJGB2u8vrAiWpCU4MxUT6JseWo2SjXy4Qbzn2fwDw",
+    "6251e205e8ad508bab5596bee086ef16cd4b239e0cc0c5d7c4e6035441e7d5de",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "19dcawoKcZdQz365WpXWMhX6QCUpR9SY4r",
+    "5eadaf9bb7121f0f192561a5a62f5e5f54210292",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "37Sp6Rv3y4kVd1nQ1JV5pfqXccHNyZm1x3",
+    "3f210e7277c899c3a155cc1c90f4106cbddeec6e",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "myoqcgYiehufrsnnkqdqbp69dddVDMopJu",
+    "c8a3c2a09a298592c3e180f02487cd91ba3400b5",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "2N7FuwuUuoTBrDFdrAZ9KxBmtqMLxce9i1C",
+    "99b31df7c9068d1481b596578ddbb4d3bd90baeb",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "5KL6zEaMtPRXZKo1bbMq7JDjjo1bJuQcsgL33je3oY8uSJCR5b4",
+    "c7666842503db6dc6ea061f092cfb9c388448629a6fe868d068c42a488b478ae",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "KwV9KAfwbwt51veZWNscRTeZs9CKpojyu1MsPnaKTF5kz69H1UN2",
+    "07f0803fc5399e773555ab1e8939907e9badacc17ca129e67a2f5f2ff84351dd",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "93N87D6uxSBzwXvpokpzg8FFmfQPmvX4xHoWQe3pLdYpbiwT5YV",
+    "ea577acfb5d1d14d3b7b195c321566f12f87d2b77ea3a53f68df7ebf8604a801",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": false,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "cMxXusSihaX58wpJ3tNuuUcZEQGt6DKJ1wEpxys88FFaQCYjku9h",
+    "0b3b34f0958d8a268193a9814da92c3e8b58b4a4378a542863e34ac289cd830c",
+    {
+      "isCompressed": true,
+      "isPrivkey": true,
+      "isTestnet": true
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "13p1ijLwsnrcuyqcTvJXkq2ASdXqcnEBLE",
+    "1ed467017f043e91ed4c44b4e8dd674db211c4e6",
+    {
+      "addrType": "pubkey",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ],
+  [
+    "3ALJH9Y951VCGcVZYAdpA3KchoP9McEj1G",
+    "5ece0cadddc415b1980f001785947120acdb36fc",
+    {
+      "addrType": "script",
+      "isPrivkey": false,
+      "isTestnet": false
+    }
+  ]
+]
diff --git a/test/privatekey.js b/test/privatekey.js
index 92dac7156..586ef0d11 100644
--- a/test/privatekey.js
+++ b/test/privatekey.js
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 'use strict';
 
-var should = require('chai').should();
+var chai = require('chai');
+var should = chai.should();
+var expect = chai.expect;
+
 var bitcore = require('..');
 var BN = bitcore.crypto.BN;
 var Point = bitcore.crypto.Point;
@@ -8,6 +11,9 @@ var PrivateKey = bitcore.PrivateKey;
 var Networks = bitcore.Networks;
 var base58check = bitcore.encoding.Base58Check;
 
+var validbase58 = require('./data/bitcoind/base58_keys_valid.json');
+var invalidbase58 = require('./data/bitcoind/base58_keys_invalid.json');
+
 describe('PrivateKey', function() {
   var hex = '96c132224121b509b7d0a16245e957d9192609c5637c6228311287b1be21627a';
   var buf = new Buffer(hex, 'hex');
@@ -37,39 +43,62 @@ describe('PrivateKey', function() {
     should.exist(a.bn);
   });
 
+  describe('bitcoind compliance', function() {
+    validbase58.map(function(d){
+      if (d[2].isPrivkey) {
+        it('should instantiate WIF private key ' + d[0] + ' with correct properties', function() {
+          var network = Networks.livenet;
+          if (d[2].isTestnet) {
+            network = Networks.testnet;
+          }
+          var key = new PrivateKey(d[0]);
+          key.compressed.should.equal(d[2].isCompressed);
+          key.network.should.equal(network);
+        });
+      }
+    });
+    invalidbase58.map(function(d){
+      it('should describe input ' + d[0].slice(0,10) + '... as invalid', function() {
+        expect(function() {
+          return new PrivateKey(d[0]);
+        }).to.throw(Error);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
   it('should not be able to instantiate private key greater than N', function() {
-    (function() {
+    expect(function() {
       var n = Point.getN();
       var a = new PrivateKey(n);
-    }).should.throw('Number must be less than N');
+    }).to.throw('Number must be less than N');
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate private key because of network mismatch', function() {
-    (function() {
+    expect(function() {
       var a = new PrivateKey('L3T1s1TYP9oyhHpXgkyLoJFGniEgkv2Jhi138d7R2yJ9F4QdDU2m', 'testnet');
-    }).should.throw('Private key network mismatch');
+    }).to.throw('Private key network mismatch');
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate private key because of compression mismatch', function() {
-    (function() {
+    expect(function() {
       var a = new PrivateKey('L3T1s1TYP9oyhHpXgkyLoJFGniEgkv2Jhi138d7R2yJ9F4QdDU2m', 'livenet', false);
-    }).should.throw('Private key compression mismatch');
+    }).to.throw('Private key compression mismatch');
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate private key WIF is too long', function() {
-    (function() {
+    expect(function() {
       var buf = base58check.decode('L3T1s1TYP9oyhHpXgkyLoJFGniEgkv2Jhi138d7R2yJ9F4QdDU2m');
       var buf2 = Buffer.concat([buf, new Buffer(0x01)]);
       var a = new PrivateKey(buf2);
-    }).should.throw('Length of buffer must be 33 (uncompressed) or 34 (compressed');
+    }).to.throw('Length of buffer must be 33 (uncompressed) or 34 (compressed');
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate private key WIF because of unknown network byte', function() {
-    (function() {
+    expect(function() {
       var buf = base58check.decode('L3T1s1TYP9oyhHpXgkyLoJFGniEgkv2Jhi138d7R2yJ9F4QdDU2m');
       var buf2 = Buffer.concat([new Buffer(0x01, 'hex'), buf.slice(1, 33)]);
       var a = new PrivateKey(buf2);
-    }).should.throw('Invalid network');
+    }).to.throw('Invalid network');
   });
 
   it('can be instantiated from a hex string', function() {
@@ -80,27 +109,28 @@ describe('PrivateKey', function() {
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate because compressed is non-boolean', function() {
-    (function() {
-      var a = new PrivateKey(null, 'testnet', 'compressed');
-    }).should.throw('Must specify whether the corresponding public key is compressed or not (true or false)');
+    expect(function() {
+      var a = new PrivateKey(BN(2), 'testnet', 'compressed');
+    }).to.throw('Must specify whether the corresponding public key is compressed or not (true or false)');
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate because of unrecognized data', function() {
-    (function() {
+    expect(function() {
       var a = new PrivateKey(new Error());
-    }).should.throw('First argument is an unrecognized data type.');
+    }).to.throw('First argument is an unrecognized data type.');
   });
 
   it('should not be able to instantiate with unknown network', function() {
-    (function() {
-      var a = new PrivateKey(null, 'unknown');
-    }).should.throw('Must specify the network ("livenet" or "testnet")');
+    expect(function() {
+      var a = new PrivateKey(BN(2), 'unknown');
+    }).to.throw('Must specify the network ("livenet" or "testnet")');
   });
 
-  it('should create a 0 private key with this convenience method', function() {
-    var bn = BN(0);
-    var privkey = new PrivateKey(bn);
-    privkey.bn.toString().should.equal(bn.toString());
+  it('should not create a zero private key', function() {
+    expect(function() {
+      var bn = BN(0);
+      var privkey = new PrivateKey(bn);
+     }).to.throw(TypeError);
   });
 
   it('should create a livenet private key', function() {