# MinerID MinerID is a protocol that allows a node operator to embed information inside the coinbase transaction of each block they win to be associated with a real world identity.

A minerID is simply a public key from an ECDSA keypair. These keys are used to sign minerID metadata the node adds into a False Return output. Use of ECDSA cryptography to sign minerID metadata (as opposed to generating unsigned arbitrary data) provides data non-repudiation, linking Miner identity to mined blocks in a reliable way. MinerID gives node operators a way to provide proof of their activities to regulators and each other. Its use is optional. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://hub.bsvblockchain.org/higher-learning/bsv-academy/bsv-infrastructure/the-small-world-network/minerid.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.