Mnemonic
Word sequence used to securely recover a private key.
Beginner-friendly explanation
A mnemonic is a list of simple words that lets you recover your crypto wallet if you lose your device. These words must be written down and kept secret. Example: Your wallet gives you 12 words like “cat, winter, sea, plane...” to write down and store safely.
Intermediate-level insight
The mnemonic is a human-readable representation of a private key, based on the BIP-39 standard. It generates the "seed" used to derive all wallet addresses. Example: With your 24-word mnemonic, you can restore your entire wallet on another compatible device.
Advanced perspective
A mnemonic is converted into cryptographic entropy, then transformed into a seed via PBKDF2. Its strength depends on the number of words (12, 18, 24). For additional security, an optional passphrase (BIP-39 passphrase) can be added, creating a hidden second factor. Example: You add a secret passphrase to your mnemonic to prevent recovery even if someone steals the words.
Tools & Automation
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