<p>The SEC2 document recommends the use of a number of curves. One of these curves is called <code>secp256k1</code>.</p>
<p>The recommendation doesn't refer to the parameters. What is recommended is the use of the <code>secp256k1</code> curve and the parameters are integral to how the curve is defined. If you use any other parameters, you can't call it <code>secp256k1</code>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-05T13:44:29.260Z
2022-05-05T16:16:05.153Z
2022-05-05T16:16:05.153Z
Pieter Wuille
<p>The secp256k1 standard (as defined in <a href="https://www.secg.org/sec2-v2.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.secg.org/sec2-v2.pdf</a>, section 2.4.1) has a set of recommended parameters.</p>
<ul>
<li>Is there a particular reason why these parameters are just 'recommended', and not 'required'?</li>
<li>Are we still talking about 'secp256k1' if different parameters are used?</li>
</ul>

<secp256k1>
Can secp256k1 have different parameters and still be called secp256k1?
drogos86
# Can secp256k1 have different parameters and still be called secp256k1?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-05-05)

The secp256k1 standard (as defined in <https://www.secg.org/sec2-v2.pdf>, section 2.4.1) has a set of recommended parameters.

* Is there a particular reason why these parameters are just 'recommended', and not 'required'?
* Are we still talking about 'secp256k1' if different parameters are used?

**Tags:** secp256k1


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-05-05. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

The SEC2 document recommends the use of a number of curves. One of these curves is called `secp256k1`.

The recommendation doesn't refer to the parameters. What is recommended is the use of the `secp256k1` curve and the parameters are integral to how the curve is defined. If you use any other parameters, you can't call it `secp256k1`.


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