How Bitcoin Works: Blocks, Proof-of-Work and Private Keys
How Bitcoin's chain of blocks, proof-of-work, capped supply and longest-chain consensus work, and how private keys and addresses fit in. Example WIF-format keys follow.
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- Keywords:
- proof-of-work · blockchain · private keys · Bitcoin addresses
Guides on the same subject
- Bitcoin Private Key Format: WIF, Base58 and Hex Explained
A Bitcoin private key is a 256-bit number, usually shown in WIF: Base58 with a version byte, compression flag and checksum. Encoding steps and test vectors.
- Longest Chain in Blockchain: Security, Consensus and Forks
The longest chain in blockchain is the version with the most proof of work, the rule Bitcoin nodes use to resolve forks and settle transaction history.
- BIP 157 Client-Side Block Filtering: Compact Filters Explained
BIP 157 lets light wallets fetch compact block filters (BIP 158) from full nodes and test them locally, finding their payments without revealing addresses.
One of the documents in the Private Key PDF Archive, listed on archive page 2.