Wallets & Private Keys
Digital wallets and private keys are fundamental concepts for authenticating with Rise. This guide explains how they function in accessible terms.What is a Wallet?
A digital wallet stores your private keys and manages your digital identity
What is a Private Key?
A private key is like a digital signature that proves you own your wallet
How Authentication Works
Rise uses your wallet to verify your identity through secure signing
Security Best Practices
Keep your private keys secure and never share them with anyone
What is a Digital Wallet?
A digital wallet is software that stores your private keys and manages your digital identity on the blockchain. It functions as a secure digital bank account that you control.Key Features:
- Stores private keys securely
- Manages your digital identity (wallet address)
- Signs transactions to prove ownership
- Connects to applications like Rise
Popular Wallet Types:
- Software wallets - Digital wallets stored on your device
- Hardware wallets - Physical devices that store your private keys offline
- Mobile wallets - Wallet applications on your smartphone
Ways to Access Your Wallet:
- Browser extensions - Like MetaMask, which provides a browser interface
- Desktop applications - Standalone wallet software
- Mobile apps - Wallet applications on iOS/Android
- Hardware device interfaces - Software to interact with hardware wallets
What is a Private Key?
A private key is a long string of letters and numbers that verifies your wallet ownership. It functions as a master password that provides complete control over your digital identity.Private Key Format:
Key Characteristics:
- 64 characters long (32 bytes)
- Starts with “0x” (hexadecimal format)
- Unique to your wallet - no two wallets have the same private key
- Must be kept secret - anyone with your private key can control your wallet
Never share your private key! It gives complete access to your wallet and all associated accounts. Store it securely and use environment variables in production.
How Rise Authentication Works
Rise uses your wallet and private key to authenticate you securely:1. Wallet Connection
Your wallet address (derived from your private key) is connected to your Rise account.2. Secure Signing
When you execute API calls, Rise requests your wallet to sign a message using your private key.3. Identity Verification
The signature verifies your wallet ownership, which verifies your Rise account ownership.4. Access Granted
Rise grants you access to your account and enables you to perform operations.Getting Your Private Key
From MetaMask:
- Open MetaMask extension
- Click the account menu (three dots)
- Go to “Account details”
- Click “Export Private Key”
- Enter your MetaMask password
- Copy the private key (starts with 0x)
From Hardware Wallet:
- Connect your hardware wallet
- Open the wallet software
- Navigate to “Export” or “Private Key”
- Follow the device-specific instructions
- Copy the private key
Security Recommendation: Consider using a secondary wallet for API operations. Learn more in our Secondary Wallets Guide.
Wallet Address vs Private Key
| Wallet Address | Private Key |
|---|---|
| Public identifier - like an email address | Secret key - like a password |
| Safe to share - used to receive funds | Never share - gives full control |
| Derived from private key | Generates the wallet address |
Example: 0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b8D4C9db96C4b4d8b6 | Example: 0x1234...abcd (64 characters) |
Security Best Practices
Recommended Practices:
- Store private keys securely in environment variables
- Use hardware wallets for maximum security
- Create secondary wallets for API operations
- Backup your private keys safely
- Use strong passwords for wallet software
Security Considerations:
- Never share private keys with anyone
- Never store private keys in code or version control
- Avoid using main wallets with significant funds for API operations
- Never forget to backup your private keys
- Never use weak passwords for wallet software
Common Questions
”Do I need to understand blockchain to use Rise?”
No! Rise handles all the blockchain complexity for you. You can use a private key from your wallet for authentication.”Is my private key the same as my Rise ID?”
No! Your Rise ID is your Rise account identifier. Your private key is for your wallet, which is connected to your Rise account.”What if I lose my private key?”
Contact Rise support immediately. You may need to create a new wallet and update your Rise account connection.”Can I use the same private key for multiple accounts?”
Yes, but it’s not recommended for security reasons. Each wallet should ideally be used for one purpose.Next Steps
Authentication Guide
Learn about different authentication methods
Private Keys Guide
Detailed guide on getting and using private keys
Secondary Wallets
Learn about using dedicated wallets for API operations
Security Best Practices
Comprehensive security guidelines
Ready to begin your integration? Review our Quickstart Guide to start integrating with Rise using your wallet and private key.