Private Key
The secret number that authorises transactions from an address. Possession of the key is possession of the assets.
Also called private keys
The secret number that authorises transactions from an address. Possession of the key is possession of the assets.
Why it matters
No one can reset it. A leaked key means an irreversible loss; a lost key means permanently frozen funds.
Related terms
- Wallet
- Seed Phrase
- Self-Custody
Keep reading
Wallet
Software or hardware that stores the private keys controlling crypto assets. Hot wallets are…
Audit
A review of a smart contract's code by a specialist firm, looking for vulnerabilities…
Circulating Supply
The number of tokens currently available to trade, excluding those locked, reserved or not…
Self-Custody
Holding your own keys rather than leaving assets with an exchange or custodian.
Token
A digital asset issued on an existing blockchain rather than having its own. Tokens…
Layer 2
A network built on top of a base blockchain that processes transactions separately and…