Seed Phrase
Also known as recovery phrase mnemonic phrase seed words secret recovery phrase
A seed phrase is a list of words, usually twelve or twenty-four, that encodes the master secret from which a wallet’s private keys are generated. Entering it into compatible software restores access to all the wallet’s addresses. Anyone who learns the phrase can take the funds, so it should be written down and stored offline, never shared, photographed or entered on websites. Legitimate support staff never ask for it.
Related terms
- Private Key The secret that controls a blockchain address. Wallets & Custody
- Wallet Software or hardware that holds the keys controlling crypto assets. Wallets & Custody
- Self-Custody Holding your own keys instead of relying on a company. Wallets & Custody
- Multisig A wallet that needs several keys to approve a transaction. Wallets & Custody
- Hardware Wallet A physical device that keeps private keys offline. Wallets & Custody