#### From HTTPS to Bitcoin: How mathematics protects self-determination
*by Alien Investor*\
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#### Cryptography in Everyday Life
Cryptography sounds like rocket science — but it has long been part of everyday life.
Whenever you visit a website with “https,” use Signal, or send Bitcoin, mathematics is running in the background.
It ensures that no one can secretly read your data or manipulate it.
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#### Symmetric and Asymmetric Cryptography
Fundamentally, there are two major areas: symmetric and asymmetric cryptography.
With symmetric methods, both sides encrypt and decrypt using the same secret key. This is fast and efficient.
But it creates a problem: How do you exchange this key securely without it being intercepted?
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#### The Asymmetric Solution
Asymmetric cryptography solves this by using a key pair.
There is a public key, which anyone is allowed to see. And there is a private key, which should never leave your device.
This allows you to encrypt messages, verify signatures — or unambiguously assign Bitcoin transactions to an address.
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#### Cryptography and Power
Things get interesting where cryptography meets power.
States, banks, and corporations would like access to everything — often citing “your safety” as the reason.
They fear the loss of control that comes with true privacy.
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#### A Tool for Self-Determination
Strong encryption turns the tables.
Suddenly, the individual can effectively protect data, money, and communication from external access.
That is why cryptography is not just technology. It is a tool for self-determination.
Whoever controls their keys, controls their assets — whether those are messages, documents, or private keys for Bitcoin.
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*Money, power, Bitcoin — and OPSEC. I write about financial sovereignty, privacy, and cybersecurity in a world built on control. More at *[*alien-investor.org*](http://alien-investor.org)*\
****(German only)**** 👽*