Root Keys

Root keys are used to identify ownership of an account. An Algorand node only interacts with the public key of a root key. The public key of a root key is also used as the account address. Root keys are used to sign transaction messages as well as delegating the voting authentication using voting keys, unless that specific account was rekeyed. A rekeyed account would use the rekeyed key in lieu of the root key.

A relationship between a root key and voting keys is established when accounts register their participation in the agreement protocol.

For further details on the key registration (keyreg) process, refer to Ledger specification.