Glossary
Public key
The counterpart to a private key, from which an address is derived. It can verify that a signature came from the matching private key without revealing that key.
See also
Private keyThe secret that authorises spending from an address. Anyone who has it controls the funds, permanently and without recourse. It is never needed by support, an exchange or a wallet maker.
AddressThe string you send funds to. It is derived from a public key and is safe to share; the format differs by network, which is why an address that works on one chain is refused on another.
Signature requestA prompt from your wallet asking you to authorise something. Reading what it authorises, rather than what the website claims it is, is the entire defence.
Last checked 19 Oct 2026.