Public key & address
In short
The public key derives from the private key; your receiving address derives from it. You may share the address freely — only your private key can spend what arrives.
The principle is asymmetric cryptography: receive publicly, spend privately. Addresses are pseudonymous — anyone linking them to your identity sees your entire history.
May I reuse the same address?
Technically yes; for privacy, wallets recommend fresh addresses per receipt.
Related terms
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