Glossary
Seed phrase
Also called: recovery phrase,mnemonic
Twelve or twenty-four ordinary words that regenerate every private key in a wallet. It is the wallet, not a password for it: whoever types those words into any compatible wallet has the funds.
Because the phrase reproduces the keys rather than unlocking a particular device, losing the device is survivable and losing the phrase usually is not. It also means that anyone who sees the words — in a photo, a cloud backup, a support chat — has everything.
No legitimate process ever requires you to enter it into a website or send it to a person.
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.
Self-custodyHolding your own keys, so no company can freeze, lend or lose your funds — and no company can restore them if you lose the seed phrase.
Last checked 19 Oct 2026.