Cryptionary
Term

BIP39 Passphrase

An optional secret added to a BIP39 seed that creates a different wallet; losing it means losing access.

Type:
security
wallet
Also known as:
25th word
1
definition

The BIP39 passphrase is an extra password applied to a mnemonic seed. With the same 12/24 words, a different passphrase derives a completely different wallet. Without the exact passphrase, funds are unrecoverable.

2
caution
  • Not all wallets support passphrases; verify before enabling
  • Store the passphrase separately from the mnemonic; avoid mixing in backups
  • Test recovery on a spare device with small funds

All terms and definitions may update as the Cryptionary improves.