Standard Curves: P-256, Curve25519, secp256k1
Compare NIST curves, Bernstein's Curve25519, and Bitcoin's secp256k1.
Welcome
Different elliptic curves are used for different purposes. In this lesson we compare the three most important: NIST P-256, Bernstein's Curve25519, and Bitcoin's secp256k1.
NIST P-256 (secp256r1)
NIST P-256 was standardized in 1999. It uses a Weierstrass curve with a=-3 (fast point doubling). 128-bit security. Required for US government (FIPS). Dominant in TLS, JWT, code signing.
All lessons in this course
- Elliptic Curve Group Law
- Scalar Multiplication & the ECDLP
- Standard Curves: P-256, Curve25519, secp256k1
- ECC vs RSA: Security & Performance Trade-offs