When you create a crypto wallet, you're given two important keys: a public key and a private key. These work together to keep your crypto secure and enable transactions.
Public key
What it is: A long string of characters, like your account number in the crypto world.
Purpose: Used to receive cryptocurrency.
Analogy: Like an email address — people can send you crypto without knowing anything else about you.
Shareable? Yes! It's safe and expected to share it when receiving payments.
Private key
What it is: A secret code, like your password.
Purpose: Used to approve transactions and prove you own the funds linked to your public key.
Analogy: Like your email password — only you should know it.
Shareable? Never. If someone gets it, they can take your funds.
How they work together
Public key: Used to create your wallet address (what people send crypto to).
Private key: Used to approve sending crypto and prove ownership.
Security tips
Protect your private key: Use a hardware wallet or encrypted storage.
Back it up: Losing your private key means losing your funds. Use a recovery phrase (a series of words) to restore access if needed.
Quick summary
Public key = Shared, used to receive crypto
Private key = Secret, used to send and control crypto
Together, these keys make secure, decentralized transactions possible.