What is a private key? The secret that controls your crypto
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
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A private key is a secret number that proves you control the crypto at a wallet address. Anyone who has it can move the funds, so it's the one thing you must never share.
Private key, public key and address
A private key creates a matching public key, and the wallet address is made from that. You can share your address to get paid; the private key stays secret and is used to sign transactions.
How it relates to a seed phrase
Most wallets back up private keys with a seed phrase of 12 or 24 words. Whoever has the seed phrase can recreate the keys, so it needs the same protection.
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Questions people ask
What if a key is lost or stolen?
Compare single-key and multisig wallets.
Multisig wallet calculator →Read next
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.