diff --git a/lib/bitcoin.py b/lib/bitcoin.py
index 4a72806f0..51dfe27cb 100644
--- a/lib/bitcoin.py
+++ b/lib/bitcoin.py
@@ -399,9 +399,6 @@ def is_valid(addr):
 
 
 def is_address(addr):
-    ADDRESS_RE = re.compile('[1-9A-HJ-NP-Za-km-z]{26,}\\Z')
-    if not ADDRESS_RE.match(addr):
-        return False
     try:
         addrtype, h = bc_address_to_hash_160(addr)
     except Exception: