BIP-38 & Security
1. BIP-38 Standard
[Explain: What Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 38 is, its primary purpose of encrypting Bitcoin private keys with a passphrase, and how Alpine Bitcoin utilizes this standard.]
2. Dual-Secret Model
[Explain: The security principle of using two distinct secret components (the encrypted key and the passphrase) and why this significantly enhances protection compared to a single secret.]
3. Secret 1: Encrypted Key
[Describe: Its nature (an encrypted form of the private key, unusable on its own), its role as one of the two essential parts for accessing the Bitcoin, and the security of its generation process (isolated environment, randomness, uniqueness assurance).]
4. Secret 2: Passphrase
[Describe: Its critical role as the decryption key for Secret 1, its importance for overall security, and the security of its generation (high-entropy methods, offline systems, strength, uniqueness assurance).]
5. Secret Separation Protocol
[Explain: The critical manufacturing procedures ensuring Secret 1 and Secret 2 are never simultaneously accessible by any single party or system before being sealed on the product (e.g., generated by different entities/systems, at different times, or in different secure locations).]
6. Data Destruction Hygiene
[Detail: The processes for forensically wiping any digital traces or temporary records of either secret component from all manufacturing systems after they have been securely applied to the physical bullion.]
7. No Exposed Key Guarantee
[Reiterate & Clarify: How the dual-secret model and separation protocols ensure that a complete, unencrypted, spendable private key is never created or held by Alpine Bitcoin or any manufacturing partner before the customer receives and combines the secrets from the bullion.]
8. Brute-Force Resistance
[Explain: The computational infeasibility of an attacker guessing the high-entropy passphrase to decrypt Secret 1, even if they managed to obtain the encrypted key. Quantify if possible (e.g., time estimates based on character length/complexity).]
9. Tamper-Evident Casing
[Describe: The physical bullion's main protective casing (e.g., sealed acrylic), its tamper-evident properties, and details of any specialized security seals used on this casing (e.g., frangible, void-pattern revealing upon disturbance, custom designs).]
10. Secrets Tamper-Evidence
[Detail: How Secret 1 and Secret 2 are each physically concealed on the bullion and the specific, distinct tamper-evident features or layers that protect access to each secret (e.g., multi-layer security labels, opaque scratch-off material under a seal, holographic destruction patterns).]
11. Unique Serialisation
[Explain: The system of unique serial numbers for each bullion product, where these numbers are located (e.g., laser-etched on bullion, printed on CoA), and how they contribute to product authentication and traceability (if applicable).]
12. CoA Security Features
[Describe: Specific anti-counterfeit measures incorporated into the Certificate of Authenticity itself, beyond just the serial number (e.g., custom holograms, security inks, special paper stock, microprinting, watermarks, unique design elements).]
13. Auditable Public Address
[Explain: How the visible public Bitcoin address on the bullion allows users to independently verify the associated Bitcoin balance on a blockchain explorer at any time, confirming funds are present without compromising the private key's security.]
14. Result: Trustless Custody
[Summarize: How the synergistic combination of BIP-38 cryptographic security, the dual-secret model, secure manufacturing protocols, and comprehensive physical tamper-evident features culminates in a product that offers true, trustless self-custody of Bitcoin.]