What Is Cryptography?
Cryptography is the mathematical foundation of the Bitcoin network. It's the science of secure communication, used to protect information, secure wallets, sign transactions, and ensure the overall integrity of the blockchain.
The Bedrock of Security
Without cryptography, there would be no way to prove ownership of bitcoin or prevent others from spending your funds. It provides the trust in a trustless system.
Digital Signatures
When you send bitcoin, you use your private key to create a unique digital signature for that transaction. This proves to the network that you are the rightful owner and have authorized the payment.
Securing Your Wallet
Cryptography is used to generate the pair of public and private keys that make up your Bitcoin wallet. The public key creates receiving addresses, while the private key acts as your password.
Public Key Cryptography
Bitcoin relies on a specific type of cryptography called public-key cryptography. This system allows you to share your public key (and addresses) freely without ever revealing the private key that controls your funds. This one-way relationship is what makes non-custodial Bitcoin wallets possible and secure.