An encryption method (cryptography) where the sender and receiver are using different keys. While both sides are using the same keys in symmetric encryption methods like the advanced encryption standard (AES), asymmetric methods are based on a combination of public (public key) and private (private key) keys. The established method is RSA, which is considered secure in the currently known computer architectures and has therefore reached broad adoption. More recently, other asymmetric methods have emerged in for blockchain networks, in particular ECDSA. In parallel, other recent developments such as quantum computing are endangering existing cryptographic solutions, since these technologies are expected to solve complex prime number calculations within substantially shorter processing times.
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