Account Extended Private Key and Account Extended Public Key
As an Ethereum user, you need to understand the concepts of an extended private key and an extended public key. These keys play a key role in protecting private and public keys on the Ethereum network. In this article, we will take a closer look at these keys, how they work, and show you some examples of what you can do with them.
What is an Account Extended Private Key?
APEP (Account Extended Private Key) is a digital signature that links a user’s private key to their Ethereum account. It was introduced in May 2019 to improve the security of Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps). When you create a new account or connect an existing one, the system generates an APEP from the master private key.
APEP is a public-private key pair where the private key is derived from the master private key. This means that any actions taken on your account will require both an Account Extended Public Key (AEP) and an Account Extended Private Key (APEP). APEP contains your private key, while AEP contains the public key of your Ethereum address.
What is an Account Extended Public Key?
An Account Extended Public Key (AEPP) is a digital signature representing your account on the Ethereum network. It is created by Base64 encoding your master public key and appending it to your Ethereum address. AEPP is a unique identifier for your account, allowing you to use Ethereum without revealing your private key.
How do APEP and AEPP work together?
When you create an Account Extended Private Key (APEP), the master public key is Base64 encoded and appended to your Ethereum address. This creates a unique digital signature representing your account on the Ethereum network. To perform operations on your account, you need APEP (Account Extended Private Key) and AEPP (Account Extended Public Key).
What can I do with my account extended private key and extended public key?
Here are some scenarios where it makes sense to use an account extended private key and an account extended public key:
- Smart Contract Interactions
: To invoke smart contracts, you need to provide both APEP (Account Extended Private Key) and AEPP (Account Extended Public Key). This ensures that the smart contract receives both the private key and the public key required for authentication.
- Deposit and Payment Processing
: In decentralized applications, you can use your account extended private key to make deposit transactions or create a payment channel with other users.
- Cross-chain communication: When communicating with other chains (for example using Web3.py), it is necessary to provide both the APEP (Account Extended Private Key) and the AEPP (Account Extended Public Key).
- DApp Security: To protect your account from unauthorized access, it is necessary to have both the APEP (Account Extended Private Key) and the AEPP (Account Extended Public Key).
Conclusion
The Account Extended Private Key and Account Extended Public Key can significantly improve the performance of decentralized applications based on Ethereum. By understanding how these keys work together, you will be better prepared to deal with various scenarios where both your account private and public keys are required.
Be sure to keep your APEP (Account Extended Private Key) and Account Extended Public Key safe and confidential, as unauthorized access may compromise the security of your Ethereum account.
