Extended Public Key (xpub)
A master public key in HD wallets used to derive many child public keys/addresses without exposing private keys.
In BIP32 HD wallets, an xpub can derive child public keys for a branch, allowing watch-only wallets and address generation without access to private keys. It must be kept private enough to preserve on-chain privacy.
"An accounting team uses the xpub to monitor incoming payments without being able to spend funds."
Related Terms
Derivation Path
→The structured path notation (e.g., m/44'/0'/0'/0/0) used to derive keys and addresses from a hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet seed.
Wallet
→A tool that stores private keys and allows users to interact with blockchain networks.
Public Key
→A cryptographic identifier derived from a private key; used to verify signatures and derive addresses.
Multi Signature
→A type of digital wallet that requires signatures from multiple private keys to authorize transactions.
All terms and definitions may update as the Cryptionary improves.
