Are you able to please assist enhance my pondering on any of the beneath?
A crypto (e.g. bitcoin) non-public secret is a 256-bit quantity (a sequence of 256 digits which can be all 0 or 1).
Non-public keys are often derived (through 1-way hash) from a randomly-generated 24-word Bitcoin BIP39 Mnemonic Seed Phrase (which is human readable).
Pattern seed phrase:
decade lobster engine jar matter life discussion board rule push keep slab guide fairly inflict future spare veteran voice biology downside glass derive bind allow
The phrases all come from this record of two,048 phrases:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/blob/grasp/bip-0039/english.txt
Utilizing the two,048 thesaurus of BIP-39, when developing a seed phrase, every phrase provides 11 bits of entropy to the phrase, making certain {that a} 24-word seed phrase comprises sufficient bits (264 bits) to securely encode a 256-bit non-public key together with an 8-bit checksum.
One of many cool options of crypto is that wherever you’re, irrespective of which borders you stroll throughout, and irrespective of which corporations are dominant on the planet, you’ve got management of property simply through your data of your non-public key.
Most individuals (aside from these leaving their crypto on an trade that holds their non-public keys for them) use a {hardware} gadget like Ledger to handle their non-public key(s), and for comfort they’ll entry it with only a brief memorizable PIN.
But when the {hardware} gadget will get misplaced or destroyed, that PIN is ineffective. The one solution to “get better” your property is through the non-public key (or a model of it, such because the 24-word seed phrase).
So individuals attempt to discover methods to again up that seed phrase, akin to utilizing https://cryptosteel.com/ after which burying it someplace non-public or placing it in a protected deposit field.
However I think about that some (comparatively few, although) individuals need to memorize their seed phrase and have NO bodily or digital proof of it anyplace.
I by no means hear about anybody trying to memorize their ordered 24-word phrase.
It might be like attempting to memorize 24 2-word pairs, because you’re actually memorizing phrases plus their positions within the record.
Very tough to do when the phrases come randomly from an enormous record of all sorts of phrases (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and many others).
It might most likely require the abilities of a world-record-holding memorization skilled.
Speculation:
We might generate a extra memorable seed phrase if as an alternative of 24 2-word pairs we use 10 5-word phrases, so long as these phrases are extra visually and viscerally memorable (primarily based on some story you can also make up for your self).
Impressed by https://genius.com/Christmas-songs-the-twelve-days-of-christmas-lyrics which is 12 3-word phrases (e.g. “5” “golden” “rings”, “4” “calling” “birds”, “3” “French” “hens”).
The strategy I’ve provide you with to this point is to think about your record of 10 as presents that you just’re giving to 10 individuals.
The 5 phrase components are:
- amount
- colour
- merchandise
- nationality of the recipient
- career of the recipient
Your “seed phrase” would then be very visible.
A software would create 10 labeled photos for you.
The partial proof of idea beneath just isn’t what it could truly appear like.
The 4th picture within the following instance would comprise 4 brass-colored icons of a drill, the Brazilian flag, and the icon for a coach.
It’s nonetheless formidable to memorize 10 5-word phrases, even with photos.
And most of us gained’t even hassle attempting.
However I ponder if some individuals would possibly actually respect this.
To get sufficient entropy, there are:
- 10 phrases
- 40 colours (the most well-liked ones)
- 400+ objects
- 137 nations (ones with highest GDP)
- 40 professions
Please let me know if there are any issues (safety or in any other case) with my strategy.
If individuals suppose this might be helpful, I can end constructing out what I’ve began and share it.
P.S. If “mind pockets” is outlined as a seed phrase that was determined by a human (quite than generated randomly with excessive entropy), this isn’t that.
