🔑 Bitcoin Key Generator - Visual Learning
See how Bitcoin creates secure private keys, public keys, and addresses
🎓 What You'll Learn
Bitcoin security starts with a 256-bit random number (your private key). This demo shows you:
- How a 256-bit private key is generated using random 0s and 1s
- Converting binary (0s and 1s) to hexadecimal format
- Creating a mnemonic seed phrase (12-24 words) for backup
- Using elliptic curve multiplication to generate public keys
- Creating Bitcoin addresses from public keys
🏠 Think of Bitcoin Keys Like a House
Like your house key - Never give it to anyone! Anyone with your house key can enter your house and take everything.
Like your house address - You can share it freely. People can send you mail (Bitcoin), but they can't take anything out.
Like a smoothie blender - Once you blend fruits together, you can't separate them back. One-way transformation!
💡 What is a Private Key?
A private key is just a very large random number. Bitcoin uses 256 bits (256 ones or zeros). This gives us 2²⁵⁶ possible combinations - more than atoms in the universe!
🧠 Test Your Knowledge
Q1: If I change just 1 bit in my private key, what happens?
Q2: Can someone recreate your private key from your public key?
Q3: What's the main benefit of a seed phrase over a raw private key?
💡 Why Use Words Instead of Numbers?
Humans are bad at remembering long numbers but good at remembering words! A seed phrase converts your private key into 12-24 easy-to-write words. You can backup your entire wallet by writing down these words.
💡 What is Elliptic Curve Cryptography?
Bitcoin uses special math called "elliptic curves" to create a public key from your private key. Think of it like this:
- Easy Direction: Private Key × Generator Point = Public Key
- Impossible Reverse: You can't figure out the private key from the public key!
Bitcoin uses the secp256k1 curve. We multiply your private key by a special starting point called "G" (the generator).
🧩 Hashing: A One-Way Function
A hash function is like a magic blender that:
- Takes any input (text, number, file) and creates a unique "fingerprint"
- Always gives the same output for the same input
- Can't be reversed - you can't get the original input from the output
- Even tiny changes in input create completely different outputs
🔍 Hash Example:
SHA-256 Output: 185f8db32271fe25f561a6fc938b2e264306ec304eda518007d1764826381969
SHA-256 Output: 2cf24dba5fb0a30e26e83b2ac5b9e29e1b161e5c1fa7425e73043362938b9824
Notice: Just one letter different, but completely different output!
🔐 Why Bitcoin Uses Hashing:
- Privacy: Your address doesn't reveal your public key
- Security: Adds an extra layer of protection
- Shorter: Makes addresses more manageable
- Checksum: Detects typos in addresses
🎮 Try It Yourself!
Hash your name and see what happens when you make tiny changes:
💡 From Public Key to Address Using Hashing
Now we'll use those hash functions to create your Bitcoin address:
The Process:
- Start: Take the public key
- Hash #1: Put it through SHA-256 (creates 256-bit fingerprint)
- Hash #2: Put result through RIPEMD-160 (creates 160-bit fingerprint)
- Add checksum: Prevents typos
- Encode: Convert to Base58 or Bech32 (human-readable)
Result: A short, safe-to-share address like: bc1q... or 1...
⚠️ Critical Security Rules
Photos can be backed up to the cloud, hacked from your phone, or accidentally shared. Use paper only!
No Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or email. Cloud services can be hacked or shut down. You lose your Bitcoin forever.
Don't create keys from your birthday, name, or common phrases. Use proper random number generators!
Store your paper backup in a fireproof, waterproof safe. Consider metal backup plates for extra protection.
🤔 What If Scenarios
🤔 What if I lose my seed phrase?
Your Bitcoin is permanently lost. There's no "forgot password" button. No customer service can help. This is why backups are critical!
🤔 What if someone finds my seed phrase?
They can steal all your Bitcoin immediately. Move your funds to a new wallet with a new seed phrase right away if this happens!
🤔 What if my house burns down?
If your only backup burns, your Bitcoin is lost forever. Consider multiple backups in different locations or metal backup plates.
🤔 Can quantum computers break Bitcoin?
Not yet! Bitcoin addresses (especially unused ones) are quantum-resistant. The Bitcoin protocol can upgrade if quantum computing becomes a threat.
🔒 Key Security Principles:
- One-Way Function: Easy to go from private → public → address, impossible to go backward
- Private Key: Keep this secret always! Anyone with it controls your Bitcoin
- Public Key: Can be shared but usually not needed (address is enough)
- Address: Share freely to receive payments
🌱 What are HD (Hierarchical Deterministic) Wallets?
Modern Bitcoin wallets don't just create one address. They create a whole tree of addresses from a single seed phrase!
Think of it like a tree:
🎯 Why Is This Useful?
- Privacy: Use a new address for each transaction — harder for others to track your balance
- Organization: Separate addresses for different purposes (savings, spending, donations)
- One Backup: Write down 12-24 words once, and you can recover ALL your addresses and Bitcoin!
- Deterministic: Same seed phrase always creates the same addresses in the same order
💡 How It Works (BIP32/BIP44 Standards):
Step 1: Seed phrase → Master private key (512 bits)
Step 2: Master key + index number (0, 1, 2, 3...) → Child key
Step 3: Each child key → Bitcoin address
This is a one-way mathematical process. You can't figure out the seed from the addresses!
⚠️ Important Note:
In this demo, we're showing a single key generation for educational purposes. Real wallets like Sparrow, Coldcard, or Trezor use HD wallets automatically. When you write down 12 or 24 words, you're backing up an entire wallet, not just one key!
🎓 Ready to Practice?
Now that you understand how keys work, try generating multiple keys and see how each one is completely unique!