October 3, 2024
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New to Hedera? Want to create an account and participate in airdrops, such as our recent giveaway with Karate Combat?
On Hedera, it's important to understand there are two different account key types: ECDSA and ED25519. Hedera wallets like HashPack support both key types, so which one should you use?
In this guide, we'll break down the differences between the two account key types, and why you might want to use one key type over the other.
This is the most common key type for the majority of accounts created by HashPack. By default, all email-based accounts, hardware wallet accounts, and standard accounts made by HashPack use this key type. ED25519 accounts are preferred if key length, security, and performance are important. ECDSA public keys are twice as long for the same level of security.
They also offer one big advantage that ECDSA accounts do not: the ability to rekey your account. In the event that you want to change your private key, for security or other reasons, HashPack offers a feature to rekey your ED25519 account. This generates new recovery details for that account.
This feature can be found under Advanced Tools, in the HashPack main menu. For more information on how to rekey your account, please see this guide.
This newer key type is ideal if you want to use MetaMask or need support for more EVM developer tooling. It also offers more compatibility for apps interfacing with Ethereum, such as Karate Combat.
By default, all accounts created by the Karate Combat app will be ECDSA. You will not be able to connect to the Karate Combat app with HashPack with an ED25519 account.
So, how can I create a new ECDSA with HashPack? Read on!
To get started, install HashPack on your favourite browser or device.
Open your HashPack app, on the welcome screen, press the Create a wallet button.
Next, you’ll need to Create a Main Password. This password is securely encrypted and used to unlock your HashPack wallet.
Once you’ve entered a password with a minimum of 12 characters, click the checkbox to agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, then click Next.
Under Advanced creation, press the Create a new wallet button.
Next, press the Seed Phrase (ECDSA) button.
Next you need to securely note down your 24-Word Seed Phrase (also known as a mnemonic phrase, or recovery phrase). A Seed Phrase is a special type of password which allows you to recover your account.
Keep your phrase in a safe place, you'll need to verify it on the next page.
Once you're ready, click Next.
Enter the missing words from your phrase, this is to verify that you have noted it down correctly.
You can’t recover your account if you lose your 24-Word Seed Phrase. As long as you keep this phrase safe, your wallet will be secure.
Once you've verified all the missing words, click Next.
From here, you can give your wallet a nickname, set the local currency, and enable Unlimited Auto Association.
On Hedera, tokens must first be "associated" before they can be received by your account. Unlimited Auto Association is a handy feature, which allows your wallet to receive tokens without the need to manually associate them. This is ideal for users who wish to receive airdrops, such as our recent giveaway with Karate Combat.
Don't worry, you can always change these settings later, after you've created your wallet.
Press the Create Wallet button.
Finally, save your account information. Always keep your recovery details safe and secure, and don't share them with anyone.
Once you're ready, press Let's Go!
Congratulations, you've successfully made an ECDSA account!
Once logged into HashPack, press the menu icon and navigate to Accounts.
Select your account and press the View button.
You'll now be able to see your account recovery details, as well as your key type.
Please note, that all Magic Link email accounts are automatically created as ED25519 accounts and cannot be changed.
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