Key Pair
Definition
A key pair consists of two mathematically related cryptographic keys: a public key that can be freely shared, and a private key that must remain secret. Public-key cryptography enables secure communication and digital signatures by exploiting the mathematical relationship between these paired keys.
Technical Explanation
Key pairs are generated using asymmetric algorithms. For encryption, data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with the corresponding private key. For signatures, messages signed with the private key can be verified by anyone with the public key. The security depends on the computational difficulty of deriving the private key from the public key.
Post-quantum key pairs use algorithms resistant to quantum attacks. Kyber key pairs enable quantum-safe key encapsulation, while SPHINCS+ key pairs enable quantum-safe digital signatures. Key sizes are larger than classical algorithms but remain practical for modern systems.
SynX Relevance
Each SynX wallet contains multiple key pairs: SPHINCS+ pairs for transaction signing and Kyber-768 pairs for encrypted communications. These quantum-resistant key pairs are deterministically derived from your seed phrase, combining security with convenient backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many key pairs does a SynX wallet have?
- Multiple—separate pairs for signing and encryption, plus derived pairs for different addresses.
- Can I share my public key?
- Yes, public keys are designed to be shared. Your private keys must never be revealed.
- What happens if I lose my private key?
- You lose access to your funds. Always backup your seed phrase to regenerate key pairs.
Quantum-safe key pairs protecting your assets. Create your SynX wallet