Wallets · Question 4 of 7

What is a seed phrase?

A seed phrase is a list of 12 or 24 words that can recreate your wallet and all its keys. It's the master backup — and the master key. It's never entered into websites or shared with anyone.

What it does

From these words, your wallet can be fully restored on a new device. That power cuts both ways: anyone who has the words has your funds.

How to treat it

  • Write it down offline; never store it as a photo, email, or cloud note.
  • Never type it into a website or share it with 'support'.
  • Anyone asking for it is attempting theft — without exception.
Why it matters

Seed-phrase mistakes cause the largest, most irreversible losses for newcomers. Getting this one habit right prevents most catastrophes.

A practical way to picture it

The seed phrase is like the master key to a building that also rebuilds the building from scratch. You'd never tape it to the front door or hand it to a stranger claiming to be the locksmith.

Risks & common mistakes
  • Sharing or exposing it = total, unrecoverable loss.
  • Phishing sites exist purely to capture seed phrases.
  • No legitimate service ever needs your seed phrase.
Put it into practice

Practice in the Wallet Simulator

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Last reviewed 2026-06-25. This topic can change over time; always confirm current specifics from primary sources.