Wallets & Custody
Wallet Addresses, Public Keys, and Private Keys
Learn how a receiving address differs from public and private keys, including what may be shared and what must remain secret.
Three different things
A wallet address is an identifier a network uses to route assets to an account or contract. On Ethereum, an address is derived from a public key according to that network’s rules. A private key is a secret used to sign actions proving control of an account. Exact details differ across networks.
What can be shared?
A receiving address is meant to receive assets, but it may expose a public transaction history on a transparent network. Never send a private key or recovery phrase to another person; someone who has them may be able to control the assets. Sharing a receiving address is not the same as sharing secret access data.
A simple example
If a friend asks where to send USDT, give the receiving address on the agreed network. The sender does not need your private key or recovery phrase to send you tokens.
Key takeaway
An address identifies a public destination; a private key enables signing. Share an address only when needed and after agreeing on the network, and keep keys and recovery phrases out of chats and forms.
Related reading
Official sources
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a price quote.