> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

# Private key access

## Overview[​](#overview "Direct link to Overview")

The Node.js SDK provides direct access to user private keys, enabling integration with any blockchain network. This is a key feature that makes the SDK suitable for backend and programmatic use cases. Note that if the private key export is disabled in the dashboard, the methods will throw an error.

Security Notice

Private keys provide full control over user assets. Handle them securely:

- Never log private keys
- Store them encrypted if persistence is needed
- Use secure memory handling
- Implement proper access controls

## Available methods[​](#available-methods "Direct link to Available methods")

The provider offers different methods to access private keys depending on your blockchain needs:

| Method            | Description                    | Use Case                                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| private_key       | Ethereum-formatted private key | EVM chains (for example, Ethereum, Polygon, BSC) |
| solana_privateKey | Solana private key             | Solana blockchain                                |
| private_key       | Raw private key                | Any blockchain                                   |

## EVM chains[​](#evm-chains "Direct link to EVM chains")

For EVM-compatible chains such as Ethereum, Polygon, BSC.

### Get Ethereum private key[​](#get-ethereum-private-key "Direct link to Get Ethereum private key")

```
const privateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'private_key' })
console.log('Private Key:', privateKey) // 0x1234567890abcdef...

```

### Use with Ethers.js[​](#use-with-ethersjs "Direct link to Use with Ethers.js")

```
const { ethers } = require('ethers')

// Get private key
const privateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'private_key' })

// Create wallet instance
const wallet = new ethers.Wallet(privateKey)

// Connect to a provider
const rpcProvider = new ethers.providers.JsonRpcProvider('https://rpc.ankr.com/eth')
const connectedWallet = wallet.connect(rpcProvider)

// Get address
const address = await connectedWallet.getAddress()
console.log('Wallet Address:', address)

// Sign a transaction
const tx = {
  to: '0x742d35Cc6635C0532925a3b8138341B0F7E8a4e8',
  value: ethers.utils.parseEther('0.1'),
}

const signedTx = await connectedWallet.signTransaction(tx)
const receipt = await connectedWallet.sendTransaction(tx)

```

### Use with Viem[​](#use-with-viem "Direct link to Use with Viem")

```
const { createWalletClient, createPublicClient, http } = require('viem')
const { privateKeyToAccount } = require('viem/accounts')
const { mainnet } = require('viem/chains')

// Get private key
const privateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'private_key' })

// Create account from private key
const account = privateKeyToAccount(privateKey)

// Create wallet client
const walletClient = createWalletClient({
  account,
  chain: mainnet,
  transport: http('https://rpc.ankr.com/eth'),
})

// Create public client for reading
const publicClient = createPublicClient({
  chain: mainnet,
  transport: http('https://rpc.ankr.com/eth'),
})

// Send transaction
const hash = await walletClient.sendTransaction({
  to: '0x742d35Cc6635C0532925a3b8138341B0F7E8a4e8',
  value: parseEther('0.1'),
})

```

## Solana integration[​](#solana-integration "Direct link to Solana integration")

### Get Solana private key[​](#get-solana-private-key "Direct link to Get Solana private key")

```
const solana_privateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'solana_privateKey' })
console.log('Solana Private Key:', solana_privateKey) // Base58 encoded

```

### Use with Solana Web3.js[​](#use-with-solana-web3js "Direct link to Use with Solana Web3.js")

```
const {
  Connection,
  Keypair,
  PublicKey,
  Transaction,
  SystemProgram,
  LAMPORTS_PER_SOL,
} = require('@solana/web3.js')
const bs58 = require('bs58')

// Get private key
const solana_privateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'solana_privateKey' })

// Create keypair from private key
const secretKey = bs58.decode(solana_privateKey)
const keypair = Keypair.fromSecretKey(secretKey)

// Connect to Solana
const connection = new Connection('https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com')

// Get balance
const balance = await connection.getBalance(keypair.publicKey)
console.log('Balance:', balance / LAMPORTS_PER_SOL, 'SOL')

// Send transaction
const transaction = new Transaction().add(
  SystemProgram.transfer({
    fromPubkey: keypair.publicKey,
    toPubkey: new PublicKey('11111111111111111111111111111112'),
    lamports: 0.1 * LAMPORTS_PER_SOL,
  })
)

const signature = await connection.sendTransaction(transaction, [keypair])

```

## Other blockchains[​](#other-blockchains "Direct link to Other blockchains")

### Get raw private key[​](#get-raw-private-key "Direct link to Get raw private key")

```
const rawPrivateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'private_key' })
console.log('Raw Private Key:', rawPrivateKey) // Hex string

```

### Example: Bitcoin integration[​](#example-bitcoin-integration "Direct link to Example: Bitcoin integration")

```
const bitcoin = require('bitcoinjs-lib')

// Get raw private key
const rawPrivateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'private_key' })

// Create Bitcoin keypair
const keyPair = bitcoin.ECPair.fromPrivateKey(Buffer.from(rawPrivateKey.slice(2), 'hex'))

// Get Bitcoin address
const { address } = bitcoin.payments.p2pkh({ pubkey: keyPair.publicKey })
console.log('Bitcoin Address:', address)

```

## Disabling private key export[​](#disabling-private-key-export "Direct link to Disabling private key export")

Private key export can be disabled in the [Embedded Wallets dashboard](https://developer.metamask.io):

1. Go to your project settings.
2. Navigate to **Advanced Settings**.
3. Toggle **Disable Private Key Export**.
4. Save changes.

When disabled, private key methods will throw an error:

```
try {
  const privateKey = await provider.request({ method: 'private_key' })
} catch (error) {
  console.error('Private key export disabled:', error.message)
}

```