The Basics
Each account has one of two sets of private and public cryptographic keys, with the private view key required to view all transactions related to the account.
Monero features an opaque blockchain (with an explicit allowance system called the view key), in sharp contrast with transparent blockchains used by any other cryptocurrency not based on CryptoNote. Thus, Monero is said to be “private, optionally transparent.”
Every Monero address has a private view key that can be shared. By sharing a view key, a person can view every incoming transaction for that address. However, outgoing transactions cannot be reliably viewed as of June 2017. Therefore, the balance of a Monero address, as shown via a view key, should not be relied upon.
