A seed phrase is a list of 12 or 24 words that can restore access to a crypto wallet. It is the backup for your private keys. Every wallet generates a seed phrase when you create it. Write it down. Store it offline. Never type it into a computer or phone. Anyone with your seed phrase can restore your wallet and drain your funds. There is no password to change. There is no support line to call. The seed phrase is the wallet.

Seed phrases follow the BIP-39 standard, which uses a fixed list of 2,048 words. The words are chosen so that they are easy to distinguish and hard to misspell. A 12-word phrase has 128 bits of entropy. A 24-word phrase has 256 bits. Both are effectively impossible to brute-force. Most wallets use 12 words by default. The backup is only as good as its storage. A screenshot on your phone is vulnerable. A note in your email is vulnerable. A piece of paper in a safe is decent. A metal plate stamped with the words is better. Fire and water destroy paper. Metal survives. If you hold serious value, use metal.

Seed phrase rules

• Never share it — anyone with the phrase owns your funds
• Never type it online — phishing sites target seed phrases
• Store it offline — paper or metal, not digital
• Back it up in multiple locations — one copy is a single point of failure

The seed phrase is the most important thing in your crypto setup. Treat it that way.