Glossary
Private Key
The secret cryptographic key that proves ownership of funds and authorizes spending them.
A private key is a secret number that lets its holder authorize transactions from an address. Zcash wallets derive private keys (and, for shielded addresses, spending keys) from a seed phrase. Whoever controls the private key controls the funds — this is the basis of the crypto principle "not your keys, not your coins."
Explained in context: What Is a Zcash Viewing Key? →
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