Bitcoin WikiWallets & custody

Public key / xpub

Updated 9 October 2026StubRandom article

In plain words

Derived from the private key; an xpub lets software see all your addresses but not spend.

Glossary on the Learn page

See also

Private key
The secret number that authorises spending. Whoever has it controls the coins.
Descriptor
A text that fully describes how a wallet derives its addresses; essential backup for multisig.
Multisig
Multisig means a payment needs several keys out of a set, for example any 2 of 3. Losing one key, or having one stolen, does not lose the coins.
Address
What you share to receive bitcoin. Modern ones start with bc1. Use a new one each time for privacy.