What is a public key in crypto?

En En Fr Fr De De
Subscribe
Crypto Security | Bitwise

What is hashing?

Hashing is the practice of using computer algorithms to encrypt data into strings of numbers and words called alphanumeric codes.

Hashing is pivotal to data privacy and security on blockchains as it substitutes sensitive information with arbitrary code.

In practical terms, the process is responsible for blockchain and crypto users being able to generate public wallet addresses and execute transactions without compromising personal details.

What is a public key in crypto?

Crypto (or cryptocurrency) is a type of non government-issued currency that uses an advanced form of mathematics called public-private key cryptography to send and receive value over the internet. Crypto uses this advanced maths to secure funds and make sure no-one else can spend them.

Transactions happen peer-to-peer, without the need for a middleman like a bank.

To send crypto over the internet, users must request the public key of the person they want to send cryptocurrency to.

A public key is akin to a user's home address.

Anyone who has someone's public key can send them cryptocurrency, just like anyone who has someone's home address can send them a parcel. Every transaction associated with a public key is visible on the blockchain.

Giving out a public key does not mean users lose control of their wallet. Public keys take the form of a randomly-generated string of letters and numbers. Public keys do not reveal any personal information.

Despite these safeguards, many users choose to conceal their public keys as best they can to maintain the privacy of their transactions.

What is a private key in crypto?

Cryptocurrency uses an advanced type of mathematics called public-private key cryptography to send and receive value over the internet securely.

While a public key is like a user's home address, a private key is like a front door key. Anyone who has a user's public key can send them cryptocurrency, just like anyone who has someone's home address can send them a parcel. With this public key, they cannot access the cryptocurrency inside your wallet. For that, they would need a user's private key.

A private key unlocks the value of what is inside a cryptocurrency wallet.

A private key gives users the ability to spend, withdraw, and access their cryptocurrency wallets through a digital signature. It proves ownership of a wallet and the digital assets it carries.

A private key is used to sign each transaction that users send to blockchain networks to certify that it was really sent by them, and is not a fraudulent transaction. Users must keep their private keys secure, and not share them with anyone.

Private keys come in the form of alphanumeric codes but wallet providers tend to encode them in a way that is easier to remember or note down. So, a private key can be multiple words that make up a “seed phrase” or “secret recovery phrase”.

Sole ownership of private keys is referred to as self-custody.

Users can take self-custody of their crypto by using web wallets or offline wallets. This is opposed to wallets provided by crypto exchanges that take custody of your keys on your behalf

What is a rug pull?

In crypto parlance, a rug pull is a scam or ponzi scheme carried out by the developers of a cryptoasset (or NFT project). The term refers to the rug being pulled from beneath your feet.

Rug pulls usually take place on decentralised exchanges because cryptoassets can be listed on them without being properly audited. They tend to follow a standard pattern with the outcome seeing developers abandon a crypto project at the cost of investors.

Developers make ambitious promises or secretly buy large amounts of a cryptoasset to artificially pump its price and lure in waves of new investors. Once the price of the cryptoasset has skyrocketed, developers dump all the crypto they hold onto the market and crater its value.

Consumers may be vulnerable to rug pulls if they invest in lesser-known digital assets without researching them independently.

Important information:

This article does not constitute investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation to buy financial products. This article is for general informational purposes only, and there is no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that this article is neither investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to acquire financial products or cryptocurrencies.

Before investing in crypto ETPs, potentional investors should consider the following:

Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors mentioned therein. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. The product is subject to inherent counterparty risk with respect to the issuer of the ETPs and may incur losses up to a total loss if the issuer fails to fulfill its contractual obligations. The legal structure of ETPs is equivalent to that of a debt security. ETPs are treated like other securities.

About Bitwise

Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies—spanning both the U.S. and Europe.

In Europe, for the past four years Bitwise (previously ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s largest and most liquid bitcoin ETP.

This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.

Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe.

Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature.

Contact

General Inquiries europe@bitwiseinvestments.com
Institutional investors clients@bitwiseinvestments.com

Browse through related content

Welcome to Bitwise

Select your location

Welcome to Bitwise

Confirm your location to help us deliver the site experience most relevant to you

Welcome to Bitwise

Confirm your location to help us deliver the site experience most relevant to you

Welcome to Bitwise

Confirm your location to help us deliver the site experience most relevant to you

Website language
Country
Website language
Country
Important Notice:
The distribution of the information and material on this website may be restricted by law in certain countries. None of the information is directed at, or is intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction (by virtue of nationality, place of residence, domicile or registered office) where publication, distribution or use of such information would be contrary to local law or regulation.
Important Notice:

The products displayed on this website are not available for subscription or purchase by retail investors in your selected jurisdiction. Please contact your broker or financial adviser for further information.

Important Notice:
You are about to access the Bitwise Asset Management website. Based on your location, clicking 'Proceed to US website' below will redirect you to the US-specific website.
Avis Important

Les produits d’investissement domiciliés en Europe et présentés sur ce site sont des Exchange Traded Commodities (« ETC »), instruments financiers considérés comme des titres de créances complexes par l'Autorité des Marchés Financiers, présentant des risques difficilement compréhensibles par le grand public. À ce titre, leur distribution en France répond à des règles spécifiques. Il relève de la responsabilité des intermédiaires et investisseurs professionnels souhaitant offrir des ETCs à leurs clients de s'assurer que leur distribution auxdits clients est réalisée dans le respect de la réglementation française.

Terms of website use

Please read these terms carefully before using this website. By clicking on “Accept” and by accessing the website on an ongoing basis, you are deemed to have read, understood and accepted these Terms of Website Use.

The distribution of the information and material on this Website may be restricted by law in certain countries. None of the information is directed at, or is intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction (by virtue of nationality, place of residence, domicile or registered office) where publication, distribution or use of such information would be contrary to local law or regulation. By clicking on “Accept” and by accessing the website on an ongoing basis you attest that you are a professional investor or are otherwise allowed to access this website pursuant to all applicable laws.

You must not use or attempt to use any automated program (including, without limitation, any spider or other web crawler) to access our system or in relation to this Website.

We may change these Terms of Website Use from time to time. Any changes we may make will be posted on this website. By continuing to use and access this website following such changes, you agree to be bound by any changes we make. Please review this page frequently to see any updates or changes to these Terms.

If you are in the UK, US or Canada

Information available on this website is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering in the United States, to, or for the account or benefit of, any U.S. Person or in Canada, or any state, province or territory thereof, where neither the Issuer nor its products are authorised or registered for distribution or sale and where no prospectus of the Issuer has been filed with any securities regulator. Neither this website nor information it contains should be accessed by a US person or legal entity or taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States.

This document does not constitute an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity. In the UK, this document is provided for information purposes and directed only at investment professionals (as defined under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 as amended from time to time). It is not intended for use by, or directed at, retail customers or any person who does not have professional experience in matters relating to investment in cryptocurrencies and crypto-backed ETPs. Neither the Issuer nor its products are authorised or regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

No advice

Nothing on this website should be considered to be investment, legal, tax or any other advice nor is it to be relied on in making an investment decision. All investors should obtain independent investment advice and inform themselves as to applicable legal requirements, exchange control regulations and taxes in their jurisdiction.

The information on this website is provided for information purposes only. The fact that Bitwise has provided it does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any particular product or to engage in any other related transaction. The products involve a high degree of risk and are not necessarily suitable for everyone. The products presented in this section of the website are intended for sale only to sophisticated investors who are able to understand and bear the risks involved. They may not be suitable for you.

In preparing the information in this section of the Website, Bitwise has not taken into account your individual investment objectives, financial situation or investment needs. Nothing in the website constitutes or is intended to constitute financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. Neither Bitwise or any affiliate will provide or purport to provide you with investment advice as a result of your use of this website. Accessing this website does not create any contract whereby Bitwise agrees or undertakes to provide you with any information or investment advice. The information on this website is provided solely on the basis that you will make your own investment decisions.

Limitation of Liability

Neither Bitwise nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers or employees shall be responsible or will be liable for any loss or damage including consequential or indirect damage or loss of profit, arising in any way from the use of, or inability to use, this website or any reliance placed on the information it contains. The website is provided on an "as is" basis. Whilst we take all reasonable care to ensure the information published on this website is up to date and as accurate as possible, Bitwise does not guarantee or warrant that this website, or any services or content on it, will always be accurate, available or provided uninterrupted. We may suspend, withdraw, discontinue or change all or any part of this website without notice. We do not guarantee that this website will be secure or free from bugs or viruses. You agree that your use of this website is at your own risk.

Certain documents made available on this Website may have been prepared and issued by persons other than Bitwise. Bitwise is not responsible in any way for the content of any such documents. The website may also contain hyperlinks to external websites that are not under the control of Bitwise. Bitwise does not approve or endorse the contents of such websites and does not control or take any responsibility for the content of any such websites.

Risk Warnings

  • Cryptocurrencies and products linked to cryptocurrencies are highly volatile.
  • You can lose some or all of your investment.
  • Risks of investing are numerous and include market, price, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.
  • Exchange traded products do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency.
  • Investment in cryptocurrencies and products linked to cryptocurrencies are only suitable for experienced investors and you should seek independent advice and check with your broker prior to investing.

All investors should read the relevant base prospectus and final terms contained on this website before investing and, in particular, the section entitled ‘Risk Factors' for further details of risks associated with an investment.

General

The website is owned and operated by ETC Management Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales under number 12165332 with its registered office at Gridiron, One Pancras Square, London, England, N1C 4AG. You can contact us by email at europe@bitwiseinvestments.com.

References to “Bitwise”, “we”, “us” and “our” in these Terms of Website Use refer to ETC Management Ltd and our affiliates.

All content and the design of this Website are owned by Bitwise or our licensors and protected by copyright and other applicable laws. Any copying of the website or of its content requires the prior written consent of Bitwise.

Bitwise respects the privacy of users. Please see our Privacy Policy for information setting out how we handle personal information collected through the Website.