Private keys are essential to how crypto works. In this article, you'll learn what they are, see an example, and find out how to access your private keys.

Need a crypto wallet that gives you full control of your private keys? You can download Exodus here.

What are private keys?

Private keys prove ownership of any crypto associated with a particular address. They allow you to access and spend the assets held at that address.

Every address that you create or own has its own private key.

Think of your wallet as your online banking account and your private key as the password to access it. Just as you need your banking password to manage your money, your private key allows you to control your crypto.

Therefore, you must keep your private keys safe, similar to how you keep your online banking information safe. Otherwise, anyone with the keys can access your funds.

Your private keys control your funds, so it is important to keep them secret. Anyone with your private keys will have access to your funds, so please don’t share them with anyone, including Exodus Support! Never give out your private key, no matter how safe it seems.

Video tutorial: What are private keys?

Private key - example

Private keys are not the same as public addresses. Unlike public addresses, which you can share to receive funds, private keys must remain secret. Never share your private keys with anyone, even if they are sending you funds.

This is an example of what a private key looks like.

The full address and full private key in the screenshot aren’t shown here, but each public address has a corresponding private key. Whoever has the private key has full control over the funds at the address.

How does Exodus create my private keys?

When you first created your Exodus wallet, your private keys were generated using your 12-word secret key.

Your 12-word secret key runs through a standardized algorithm, generating a "master" private key.

This "master" private key can then run through another algorithm to create an almost unlimited number of private and public keys.

If it weren't for the 12-word secret key, you would need to manually store and track a private key for every single address, which would be extremely difficult.

Instead, in Exodus, you can manage all your private keys and funds using your 12-word secret key.

It's essential always to keep your 12-word secret key and private keys safe and never share them with anyone, not even Exodus staff. Anyone who knows your 12-word secret key or any of your private keys can steal your assets.

Where are my private keys stored?

The private keys to your crypto are generated and encrypted locally and stored on your device. Private keys are 100% in your control.

Exodus does not store private keys on any of our servers.

Our servers only store encrypted metadata like transaction information, personal notes, and exchange history.

In addition, this metadata is encrypted with your password, so it remains secure. Only you can read and use your data when you decrypt it with your password.