Glossary

Generator Point

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The generator point, known as G, is a defined point on Bitcoin’s elliptic curve, secp256k1, and has x and y coordinates. In order to generate a public key, a user multiplies their private key sk * G = P, where P is the public key.

While a private key is a large number, a public key is a point with x and y coordinates. Likewise, G is itself a valid public key.

Like most public keys, the coordinates of the Generator Point are extremely large. Encoded in SEC format, the Generator Point can be written as 0279be667ef9dcbbac55a06295ce870b07029bfcdb2dce28d959f2815b16f81798.

Related Terms
Secp256k1
Secp256k1 is the name of the elliptic curve used by Bitcoin to implement its public key cryptography. All points on this curve are valid Bitcoin public keys.
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ECDSA
Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm or ECDSA is a cryptographic scheme for producing digital signatures using public and private keys.
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Cryptography
The study of hashing algorithms, encryption and decryption, and public and private keys all fall in the realm of cryptography. Bitcoin leverages cryptography to achieve many of its central properties.
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Public Key
A public key is used to receive bitcoin. When bitcoin is sent to a public key, only the owner of the corresponding private key will be able to spend it.
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