Private Key vs Seed Phrase: What's the Difference?

Seed phrase = master key

12 or 24 words generate unlimited addresses across chains. This is what you backup when you create a new wallet.

Private key = one account

A hex key controls one EVM address; a Solana keypair controls one SOL account. Metrust supports importing chain-specific keys when you don't have the full phrase.

Which to use

Default to seed phrase for new wallets. Import a private key only when migrating a single address from an export file — never share either online.