Asymmetric cryptography refers to a type of cryptography where the key that is used to encrypt the data is different from the key that is used to decrypt the data.
It uses both public and private keys to encrypt and decrypt data, respectively.
How Encryption Keeps Data Safe (Part 2)
Various asymmetric cryptography schemes are in use, including RSA, DSA, and ElGammal.
An overview of public key cryptography is
Once it reaches the receiver, it can be decrypted using the receiver’s private key by feeding the C encrypted data into function D, which will output plaintext P.
This way, the private key remains on the receiver’s side, and there is no need to share keys in order to perform encryption and decryption, which is the case with symmetric encryption.
In this model, the sender signs the data using their private key and transmits the message across to the receiver.
Why This Matters for Blockchain Technology
Once the message is received, it is verified for integrity by the sender’s public key.
It’s worth noting that there is no encryption being performed in this model.
It is simply presented here to help you understand thoroughly the sections covering message authentication and validation later : Model of a public-key cryptography signature scheme The preceding diagram shows that sender digitally signs the plaintext P with his private key using signing
Key Points to Remember
- Asymmetric cryptography Asymmetric cryptography refers to a type of cryptography where the key that is used to encrypt the data is different from the key that is used to decrypt the data.
- It uses both public and private keys to encrypt and decrypt data, respectively.
- Various asymmetric cryptography schemes are in use, including RSA, DSA, and ElGammal.
- Once it reaches the receiver, it can be decrypted using the receiver’s private key by feeding the C encrypted data into function D, which will output plaintext P.
Conclusion
Asymmetric cryptography represents one of the many innovative layers that make blockchain technology so powerful and transformative. As distributed systems continue to evolve, a solid understanding of these core concepts becomes increasingly valuable — not just for developers, but for anyone building, investing in, or working alongside blockchain-powered systems.
Whether you are just starting your blockchain journey or deepening existing expertise, mastering these fundamentals gives you the tools to think clearly about decentralized systems and make smarter decisions in this rapidly evolving space.