Seed Phrase
A list of 12 or 24 ordinary words that backs up a wallet and can restore all its keys.
Most wallets generate a string of words — 'ribbon, oxygen, traffic...' — the first time you set them up. That phrase encodes the master key behind every address in the wallet. Type it into a new device and the whole wallet comes back.
Which is exactly why it's the prize attackers want. Anyone who reads your seed phrase owns your coins, full stop. Write it on paper or steel, never a photo or cloud note, and treat any website or 'support agent' asking for it as a thief.
Related terms
The secret number that proves ownership of crypto and authorizes spending it; whoever holds it controls the funds.
Hardware WalletA dedicated physical device that holds your private keys and signs transactions without exposing them to your computer.
PhishingA scam that tricks you into revealing keys or signing a malicious transaction by posing as something you trust.
Self-CustodyHolding your own private keys directly, so no exchange or company stands between you and your crypto.