Seed Phrase
wallet · security
A sequence of backup words that a compatible wallet can use to recover its keys.
- Also known as
- Recovery Phrase, Mnemonic Phrase
1.definition
A seed phrase is a sequence of backup words used to recover a wallet’s keys. In a compatible wallet, the same phrase and recovery settings recreate the same addresses. It is not an account password that a support team can reset.
2.security
Anyone who obtains the seed phrase can usually spend the wallet’s funds, so it should be stored offline, backed up carefully, and never typed into untrusted websites or shared with support staff. Screenshots and cloud backups can create hidden exposure.
3.recovery
Some wallets also use an optional passphrase, derivation path, or wallet type. Losing those details can make a correct seed phrase appear empty, so recovery instructions should be tested with small amounts before relying on a backup.
The wallet security guide covers backups, recovery checks, and storage choices. The first-wallet walkthrough puts those checks into a setup sequence.
Technical reference: BIP39 defines a widely used mnemonic format and its optional passphrase. Other backup formats exist, so follow the instructions for your wallet.
Related terms
Mnemonic
→A human-readable word sequence used by many wallets to reproduce a seed and derive keys.
wallet · security
Private Key
→A secret number used to sign transactions and prove permission to spend.
cryptography · security · wallet
Non-Custodial Wallet
→A wallet in which the user controls the signing keys or authorization needed to move funds.
wallet · custody
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