Private Keys are NOT Stored on the Blockchain:
Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:50 am
Let's break down why and what might be confused with this concept:
Why an "All Bitcoin Private Keys Database with Balance" Does Not Exist:
Astronomical Number of Private Keys: As explained before, a Bitcoin private key is a 256-bit number. The total number of possible private keys (2
256
) is an unimaginably vast number. It's cryptocurrency user database computationally impossible for anyone to generate, store, or brute-force (guess) even a tiny fraction of them.
Imagine a database large enough to hold even a fraction of these numbers, let alone their corresponding balances. It's beyond any current or foreseeable technological capability.
The Bitcoin blockchain is a public, distributed ledger that records transactions between Bitcoin addresses. It does not store private keys. Private keys are generated and held locally by the owner of the Bitcoin (in their wallet).
Why an "All Bitcoin Private Keys Database with Balance" Does Not Exist:
Astronomical Number of Private Keys: As explained before, a Bitcoin private key is a 256-bit number. The total number of possible private keys (2
256
) is an unimaginably vast number. It's cryptocurrency user database computationally impossible for anyone to generate, store, or brute-force (guess) even a tiny fraction of them.
Imagine a database large enough to hold even a fraction of these numbers, let alone their corresponding balances. It's beyond any current or foreseeable technological capability.
The Bitcoin blockchain is a public, distributed ledger that records transactions between Bitcoin addresses. It does not store private keys. Private keys are generated and held locally by the owner of the Bitcoin (in their wallet).