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Home/Glossary/Private key
Wallets & security

Private key

In shortThe secret number that controls a crypto address — whoever has it can spend the funds.

Your private key signs transactions; the public key and address are derived from it. Wallets normally generate keys from a seed phrase, so you rarely see the key itself.

No legitimate support agent, app or website will ever ask for it.

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Related terms

  • Public keyThe shareable counterpart of a private key, used to create your address and check your signatures.
  • Seed phraseA list of 12 or 24 words that can recreate every key in your wallet.
  • Wallet addressThe string of characters you share to receive crypto, like an account number.
  • Crypto walletAn app or device that stores your private keys and lets you send, receive and use crypto.
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