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Cryptography · 1970s–present

Digital signatures

Digital signatures let a private-key holder authorize data in a way others can verify with the corresponding public key.

Why it matters

Bitcoin transactions use digital signatures to prove authorization without revealing private keys.

Key ideas

Primary and technical sources

Satoshi Nakamoto InstituteSatoshi Nakamoto InstituteBitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash SystemSatoshi Nakamoto

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