Keep a private key separate from a receiving address

Crypto.com’s glossary explains a private key as secret cryptographic material used to authorize transactions through a digital signature. A related public key and receiving address perform different functions. The important operational distinction is between information used for receiving funds and information that enables authorization.

Never paste private keys, wallet recovery phrases or access codes into an inquiry form, public discussion or unfamiliar website. If researching a wallet issue, describe the product and nonsecret error message instead. Check the wallet’s official recovery procedure and maintain a secure backup appropriate to its design. Loss of the required secret material can mean loss of access; possession by an unauthorized person can permit transfers. A public article can explain these concepts, but it should never ask readers to reveal the secrets themselves.

Source: Crypto.com educational material. Reviewed 9 November 2026.