Key pair
cryptography · security
A matched private key and public key used to prove control, verify signatures, and derive cryptocurrency addresses.
- Also known as
- public-private key pair, asymmetric keys
A key pair consists of a private key that must remain secret and a public key that can be shared. The private key creates signatures; the public key lets others verify those signatures without learning the private key.
Wallets usually derive many key pairs from one seed phrase using deterministic paths. Encodings and address formats vary by chain, curve, and network.
Related terms
Signature
→A cryptographic proof that a message was authorized by the holder of a private key.
cryptography
Address
→A network-specific identifier that describes a destination or spending condition for a cryptocurrency payment.
wallet · technical
Deterministic Wallet
→A wallet that derives all keys and addresses from a single seed phrase, enabling easy backup and recovery.
wallet · security
Hardware wallet
→A physical signing device that keeps private keys isolated while approving cryptocurrency transactions.
wallet · security