<p>SECP256k1 is currently just the verify functions for ECDSA/Schnorr signatures in a plutus script (smart contracts). Cardano uses ed25519 for its payment key pairs that addresses are derived.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-30T09:32:19.133Z
2023-06-30T09:32:19.133Z
james
<p><a href="https://developers.cardano.org/docs/governance/cardano-improvement-proposals/cip-0049/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">CIP-0049</a> introduces the secp256k1 elliptic curve to Cardano in order to provide the corresponding ECDSA/Schnorr signatures as primitives. What I don't understand about this is whether those primitives are restricted to be used in smart contract or if I can have a simple address generated from a secp256k1 public key.</p>
<p><em>Note:</em> I'm new to the cardano ecosystem, so I apologize if I misused some concepts or terms.</p>

<cardano-address>
Is it possible to generate secp256k1 addresses?
# Is it possible to generate secp256k1 addresses?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-06-30)

[CIP-0049](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/governance/cardano-improvement-proposals/cip-0049/) introduces the secp256k1 elliptic curve to Cardano in order to provide the corresponding ECDSA/Schnorr signatures as primitives. What I don't understand about this is whether those primitives are restricted to be used in smart contract or if I can have a simple address generated from a secp256k1 public key.

*Note:* I'm new to the cardano ecosystem, so I apologize if I misused some concepts or terms.

**Tags:** cardano-address

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-06-30. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

SECP256k1 is currently just the verify functions for ECDSA/Schnorr signatures in a plutus script (smart contracts). Cardano uses ed25519 for its payment key pairs that addresses are derived.


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