Virtual assets are kept on the blockchain. We can use public key and private key to send/receive virtual assets. The public key is the address of the virtual asset on the blockchain. The private key is the password that proves ownership of the virtual assets. Public keys and private keys are stored in virtual asset wallets. Holder of the private key can transfer the virtual assets to another address. Therefore, if the private key is lost or stolen, investors may not be able to get back their virtual assets. Besides, if investors store their virtual assets in a trading platform, they may lose all their virtual assets if the platform collapses, ceases operation or is hacked. As the popular expression in the virtual asset world “Not your keys, not your coins” points out, if you do not own the private keys, you are not in control of your virtual assets (learn more).
