Key pairs
A wallet holds a private key. From it you derive a public key, and from that an address. Signing proves you hold the private key without revealing it. Losing the key loses the funds; there is no reset link.
Seed phrases and derivation paths
Modern wallets generate a 12/24-word BIP-39 seed phrase. From that seed, BIP-32/44 derivation paths produce many accounts, one branch per chain family.
- •EVM: m/44'/60'/0'/0/x — secp256k1, 0x + 20 bytes
- •Solana: m/44'/501'/x'/0' — ed25519, base58 public key
- •Bitcoin: m/84'/0'/0'/0/x — bech32 bc1… (native segwit)
- •Dogecoin: m/44'/3'/0'/0/x — base58 D… addresses
Custody models
Self-custody browser extensions (MetaMask, Phantom, Unisat) keep keys locally, encrypted by your password. Hardware wallets keep the key in a secure chip and only export signatures. Exchange accounts are custodial: you hold an IOU, not a key.