₿eni₿idi₿ici on Nostr: Thanks for the questions—Let me try to answer First, a #bitcoin private key is just ...

Thanks for the questions—Let me try to answer

First, a #bitcoin private key is just a number within a range. This physical private key’s bits (the bitting of a key) represent that private key number in binary form. There are 256 bits on this key, and when read in order result in a #bitcoin private key

>>Why would one want a physical tool to generate say a Bitcoin address?
This modulo private key is good for many things one example is being able to generate a private key completely offline. With good OPsec you can generate the public key and a receive address completely offline, as well. Plus, it looks pretty slick and makes great icebreakers lol

>>Don’t I also need a private key? And secret phrase?
This modulo private key *is* a private key, in physical form. A secret phrase can also be generated from this key completely offline. Remember, a private key is just an integer number

>>How do I know the address it generates isn’t always in use?
Whether you are referring to the receive address or are referring to the private key, don’t worry, it’s not going to generate an address already in use. The chance of repeating someone else’s address or private key number is impossibly low, and has the same chance whether you use the modulo private key or the latest #bitcoin mobile wallet. Practice good randomness when assembling the key is necessary. Still worried, check the output address to see if it already is in use on the blockchain

Hope that helps