Bitcoin Forum

When I use my private key, for example sending from my public key some fraction of my bitcoin, does the private key remain the same? Have googled, but didn't find an answer. Sorry for my dumb question:)

in bitcoin-QT, private key is associate to 100 generate public key.
you don't send bitcoin with public key ... you send bitcoin from private key to public key.

that why it more sure to not old all bitcoin in 1 private key.

Nope, 1 private key is associated to 1 public key, and you have 100 private keys in keypool in qt by default.


You don't send anything "from private key" but you use the private key to sign the transaction.

The private keys for your addresses won't be changed.
BTW, "public key" and "address" are two different things. :)

Thank you for the answer, but I meant that when I make a paper wallet that is connected to my public key, should I always create a new paper wallet when I make some trasnactions?

1. Paper wallet is best used for you to store your bitcoin for a long period of time without touching it. Of course, eventually you will spend it.
2. When you spend your bitcoin on an address, your public key (not bitcoin address) will be known to the world. So, it is better not to re-use your address. For that reason, I would personally prefer to make a new paper wallet for the change (rather than sending the change back to the original address).

Thank you, but what is differece between "public key" and "bitcoin address"?

Question regarding paper wallet, is there a place we can check how many coins we have inside the paper wallet and how to best secure the paper wallet.

As far as I know, yes the private key stays the same. The private key only belongs to you, and without a private key you cannot move the money. The private key itself is not seen in the network. Correct me if I'm wrong

Detailed and technical explanation: https://en.bitcoin.it/w/images/en/9/9b/PubKeyToAddr.png
Very simple explanation: private key ---(one-way)--->  public key ---(one way)---> bitcoin address

But I still don't understand, if I make a transaction, does my private key remains the same? For example I have 1 bitcoin and I send 0,1 bitcoin to an other public key, does my private key still be the same? Or after every transaction should I make a new paper wallet?

I'am not very familiar with IT and I apologize for my dumb questions:)

If you're asking if you should create a new paper wallet after every transaction, then that depends on what you want to do. Some people prefer to be anonymous concerning their transactions and/or balance, so they use a unique address per transaction. That way, no single transaction can be linked to another, helping maintain their relative anonymity. Some casual users who don't care just reuse the same address. I recommend that you create a new paper wallet containing a new key pairing if you feel that it is worth your time to do so. But if you feel that your current paper wallet is adequately secure and anonymous for most intents and purposes, then you can simply reuse the same paper wallet without worry. Just make sure that you don't lose it.

Thank you!

Yes the private key will not change for that specific address.

if your computer is secure then your private key is still safe.

Some clients will always transfer the remaining balance in your BTC address to a new "change address" meaning that it will not reuse an old address (but would still keep the private key in case you receive BTC to there in the future).