A public key is a cryptographic code that allows users to receive cryptocurrencies. It is part of a pair of keys, the other being a private key, which is kept secret and used for signing transactions. The public key can be shared freely and is derived from the private key through complex mathematical algorithms. When someone wants to send cryptocurrency, they use the recipient’s public key to create a secure transaction. Public keys are usually represented as alphanumeric strings and can be further encoded into QR codes for easy scanning. They act like an email address; anyone can send you cryptocurrency if they know your public key. However, knowing the public key does not grant access to the funds. Only the holder of the corresponding private key can spend the cryptocurrency associated with that public key. This separation ensures security and privacy in transactions, allowing confident exchanges without revealing sensitive information.