When I first heard the words public key and private key, my brain instantly went: “Oh no, not another techy thing I need to memorize.” 😅 But once I found the right analogy, it clicked.
So let’s keep it simple.
Public Key, Like Your Bank Account Number
Your public key is like your bank account number.
- You can share it with anyone.
- It’s what people use to send you crypto.
If your friend wants to send you Bitcoin, you give them your public key (or wallet address, which is just a shorter version of it).
No risk in sharing it, it’s meant to be public.
Private Key, Like Your ATM PIN
Your private key is like your ATM PIN.
- You should never share it with anyone.
- It’s what gives you control over your funds.
You usually don’t see your private key when using wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Phantom because they protect it behind the scenes. What you normally get at setup is your seed phrase (12 or 24 words). That seed phrase can generate your private keys.
But if you really want to view your private key:
Hardware Wallets (Ledger, Trezor) – They don’t show private keys directly. Instead, you use the seed phrase to recover the device.
MetaMask – Go to your account > Account Details > Export Private Key (you’ll need your password).
Trust Wallet / Phantom – Similar process, usually found under account settings as Export Private Key or Show Private Key.
Metamask wallet private key looks like this:
Why Both?
Together, they work like a lock and key:
- The public key is the lock on your mailbox. Anyone can drop mail inside (send you crypto).
- The private key is the only key that opens that mailbox. Only you can take the mail out (move your crypto).
Quick Recap
- Public Key = Your address (safe to share).
- Private Key = Your password (keep it secret, always).
Final Bite
Crypto is built on trustless systems, but that trust starts with you. The most important lesson I’ve learned is this:
👉 Lose your private key, and you lose your crypto.
👉 Share your private key, and you give away your crypto.
Keep it simple:
🔓 Public = Share.
🔒 Private = Protect.
In the next blog we’ll talk about what is the difference between private key and seed phrase so stay tuned!
Leave a Reply