Term

Deterministic Wallet

A wallet that derives all keys and addresses from a single seed phrase, enabling easy backup and recovery.

Type:
wallet
security
Also known as:
HD wallet
Hierarchical Deterministic Wallet
1
concept

Deterministic wallets (HD wallets) use a single seed phrase to derive a tree of private/public keys and addresses. Standards like BIP-32/39/44 make wallets interoperable and recoverable across devices.

Example 1.1

If your phone is lost, you can restore all your Bitcoin Cash addresses and balances by entering your 12-word seed into a compatible wallet that uses the same derivation path.

2
benefits

Benefits include simplified backups, organized accounts, and improved privacy through address rotation. Risks include seed compromise and poor storage hygiene.

Example 2.1

Writing your seed on paper and storing it securely offline protects against malware theft, but consider metal backups to guard against fire or water damage.

All terms and definitions may update as the Cryptionary improves.