Seed Phrase
A list of 12 or 24 ordinary words that is the master key to every account in your wallet.
✦ Key Insight
Almost every "I got hacked" story is really a seed phrase story. It is the single point of total failure in self-custody.
✕ Common Misconceptions
No legitimate support agent, giveaway or airdrop will ever ask for it — not once, not ever. Never photograph it, type it into a website, or store it in cloud notes. Write it down, store copies in separate secure locations, and verify the backup before funding the wallet.
Detailed Explanation
In Practice
Dig Deeper
Wallet
Software or hardware that stores your private keys and lets you sign transactions.
Token
An asset created by a smart contract on an existing blockchain rather than being that blockchain's native currency.
Blockchain
A shared, append-only record of transactions maintained by many independent computers at once.
Transaction
A blockchain transaction is a signed or authorized instruction that changes blockchain state or transfers value when accepted by the network.