diff --git a/libp2p/__init__.py b/libp2p/__init__.py
index 659c0eea..a69f6f61 100644
--- a/libp2p/__init__.py
+++ b/libp2p/__init__.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import asyncio
 from typing import Mapping, Sequence
 
-from libp2p.crypto.keys import KeyPair, PrivateKey
+from libp2p.crypto.keys import KeyPair
 from libp2p.crypto.rsa import create_new_key_pair
 from libp2p.host.basic_host import BasicHost
 from libp2p.kademlia.network import KademliaServer
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def initialize_default_kademlia_router(
 
 
 def initialize_default_swarm(
-    private_key: PrivateKey,
+    key_pair: KeyPair,
     id_opt: ID = None,
     transport_opt: Sequence[str] = None,
     muxer_opt: Sequence[str] = None,
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def initialize_default_swarm(
     """
 
     if not id_opt:
-        id_opt = generate_peer_id_from_rsa_identity()
+        id_opt = generate_peer_id_from_rsa_identity(key_pair)
 
     # TODO parse transport_opt to determine transport
     transport_opt = transport_opt or ["/ip4/127.0.0.1/tcp/8001"]
@@ -99,9 +99,7 @@ def initialize_default_swarm(
     # TODO parse muxer and sec to pass into TransportUpgrader
     muxer = muxer_opt or ["mplex/6.7.0"]
     security_transports_by_protocol = sec_opt or {
-        TProtocol("insecure/1.0.0"): InsecureTransport(
-            private_key, private_key.get_public_key()
-        )
+        TProtocol("insecure/1.0.0"): InsecureTransport(key_pair)
     }
     upgrader = TransportUpgrader(security_transports_by_protocol, muxer)
 
@@ -113,7 +111,7 @@ def initialize_default_swarm(
 
 
 async def new_node(
-    private_key: PrivateKey = None,
+    key_pair: KeyPair = None,
     swarm_opt: INetwork = None,
     id_opt: ID = None,
     transport_opt: Sequence[str] = None,
@@ -124,6 +122,7 @@ async def new_node(
 ) -> BasicHost:
     """
     create new libp2p node
+    :param key_pair: key pair for deriving an identity
     :param swarm_opt: optional swarm
     :param id_opt: optional id for host
     :param transport_opt: optional choice of transport upgrade
@@ -134,16 +133,15 @@ async def new_node(
     :return: return a host instance
     """
 
-    if not private_key:
+    if not key_pair:
         key_pair = generate_new_rsa_identity()
-        private_key = key_pair.private_key
 
     if not id_opt:
         id_opt = generate_peer_id_from_rsa_identity(key_pair)
 
     if not swarm_opt:
         swarm_opt = initialize_default_swarm(
-            private_key=private_key,
+            key_pair=key_pair,
             id_opt=id_opt,
             transport_opt=transport_opt,
             muxer_opt=muxer_opt,
diff --git a/libp2p/security/base_transport.py b/libp2p/security/base_transport.py
index 3c1e1542..0f096bfc 100644
--- a/libp2p/security/base_transport.py
+++ b/libp2p/security/base_transport.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from libp2p.crypto.keys import PrivateKey, PublicKey
+from libp2p.crypto.keys import KeyPair
 from libp2p.peer.id import ID
 from libp2p.security.secure_transport_interface import ISecureTransport
 
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ class BaseSecureTransport(ISecureTransport):
     is only meant to be used in clases that derive from it.
     """
 
-    def __init__(
-        self, local_private_key: PrivateKey, local_public_key: PublicKey
-    ) -> None:
-        self.local_private_key = local_private_key
-        self.local_peer = ID.from_pubkey(local_public_key)
+    def __init__(self, local_key_pair: KeyPair) -> None:
+        self.local_private_key = local_key_pair.private_key
+        self.local_peer = ID.from_pubkey(local_key_pair.public_key)
diff --git a/libp2p/security/simple/transport.py b/libp2p/security/simple/transport.py
index ac9c01e4..5ff07cdd 100644
--- a/libp2p/security/simple/transport.py
+++ b/libp2p/security/simple/transport.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import asyncio
 
+from libp2p.crypto.keys import KeyPair
 from libp2p.network.connection.raw_connection_interface import IRawConnection
 from libp2p.peer.id import ID
 from libp2p.security.base_transport import BaseSecureTransport
@@ -10,10 +11,8 @@ from libp2p.security.secure_conn_interface import ISecureConn
 class SimpleSecurityTransport(BaseSecureTransport):
     key_phrase: str
 
-    def __init__(
-        self, local_private_key: bytes, local_public_key: bytes, key_phrase: str
-    ) -> None:
-        super().__init__(local_private_key, local_public_key)
+    def __init__(self, local_key_pair: KeyPair, key_phrase: str) -> None:
+        super().__init__(local_key_pair)
         self.key_phrase = key_phrase
 
     async def secure_inbound(self, conn: IRawConnection) -> ISecureConn:
diff --git a/tests/libp2p/test_notify.py b/tests/libp2p/test_notify.py
index f1262a1f..f4bd2efc 100644
--- a/tests/libp2p/test_notify.py
+++ b/tests/libp2p/test_notify.py
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ import multiaddr
 import pytest
 
 from libp2p import initialize_default_swarm, new_node
+from libp2p.crypto.rsa import create_new_key_pair
 from libp2p.host.basic_host import BasicHost
 from libp2p.network.notifee_interface import INotifee
 from tests.utils import (
     cleanup,
     echo_stream_handler,
-    generate_new_private_key,
     perform_two_host_set_up_custom_handler,
 )
 
@@ -173,17 +173,17 @@ async def test_one_notifier_on_two_nodes():
 async def test_one_notifier_on_two_nodes_with_listen():
     events_b = []
 
-    node_a_key = generate_new_private_key()
+    node_a_key_pair = create_new_key_pair()
     node_a_transport_opt = ["/ip4/127.0.0.1/tcp/0"]
-    node_a = await new_node(node_a_key, transport_opt=node_a_transport_opt)
+    node_a = await new_node(node_a_key_pair, transport_opt=node_a_transport_opt)
     await node_a.get_network().listen(multiaddr.Multiaddr(node_a_transport_opt[0]))
 
     # Set up node_b swarm to pass into host
-    node_b_key = generate_new_private_key()
+    node_b_key_pair = create_new_key_pair()
     node_b_transport_opt = ["/ip4/127.0.0.1/tcp/0"]
     node_b_multiaddr = multiaddr.Multiaddr(node_b_transport_opt[0])
     node_b_swarm = initialize_default_swarm(
-        node_b_key, transport_opt=node_b_transport_opt
+        node_b_key_pair, transport_opt=node_b_transport_opt
     )
     node_b = BasicHost(node_b_swarm)
 
diff --git a/tests/pubsub/factories.py b/tests/pubsub/factories.py
index d25c2784..b57c29bc 100644
--- a/tests/pubsub/factories.py
+++ b/tests/pubsub/factories.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import factory
 
 from libp2p import initialize_default_swarm
+from libp2p.crypto.rsa import create_new_key_pair
 from libp2p.host.basic_host import BasicHost
 from libp2p.pubsub.floodsub import FloodSub
 from libp2p.pubsub.gossipsub import GossipSub
@@ -11,11 +12,10 @@ from tests.pubsub.configs import (
     GOSSIPSUB_PARAMS,
     GOSSIPSUB_PROTOCOL_ID,
 )
-from tests.utils import generate_new_private_key
 
 
 def swarm_factory():
-    private_key = generate_new_private_key()
+    private_key = create_new_key_pair()
     return initialize_default_swarm(private_key, transport_opt=[str(LISTEN_MADDR)])
 
 
diff --git a/tests/security/test_security_multistream.py b/tests/security/test_security_multistream.py
index bf4929ba..ddbae8e3 100644
--- a/tests/security/test_security_multistream.py
+++ b/tests/security/test_security_multistream.py
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@ import multiaddr
 import pytest
 
 from libp2p import new_node
+from libp2p.crypto.rsa import create_new_key_pair
 from libp2p.peer.peerinfo import info_from_p2p_addr
 from libp2p.protocol_muxer.multiselect_client import MultiselectClientError
 from libp2p.security.insecure.transport import InsecureSession, InsecureTransport
 from libp2p.security.simple.transport import SimpleSecurityTransport
-from tests.utils import cleanup, connect, generate_new_private_key
+from tests.utils import cleanup, connect
 
 # TODO: Add tests for multiple streams being opened on different
 # protocols through the same connection
@@ -20,13 +21,9 @@ def peer_id_for_node(node):
     return info.peer_id
 
 
-initiator_private_key = generate_new_private_key()
-initiator_private_key_bytes = initiator_private_key.export_key("DER")
-initiator_public_key_bytes = initiator_private_key.publickey().export_key("DER")
+initiator_key_pair = create_new_key_pair()
 
-noninitiator_private_key = generate_new_private_key()
-noninitiator_private_key_bytes = noninitiator_private_key.export_key("DER")
-noninitiator_public_key_bytes = noninitiator_private_key.publickey().export_key("DER")
+noninitiator_key_pair = create_new_key_pair()
 
 
 async def perform_simple_test(
@@ -68,16 +65,8 @@ async def perform_simple_test(
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_single_insecure_security_transport_succeeds():
-    transports_for_initiator = {
-        "foo": InsecureTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes
-        )
-    }
-    transports_for_noninitiator = {
-        "foo": InsecureTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes
-        )
-    }
+    transports_for_initiator = {"foo": InsecureTransport(initiator_key_pair)}
+    transports_for_noninitiator = {"foo": InsecureTransport(noninitiator_key_pair)}
 
     def assertion_func(conn):
         assert isinstance(conn, InsecureSession)
@@ -90,14 +79,10 @@ async def test_single_insecure_security_transport_succeeds():
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_single_simple_test_security_transport_succeeds():
     transports_for_initiator = {
-        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "tacos"
-        )
+        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "tacos")
     }
     transports_for_noninitiator = {
-        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "tacos"
-        )
+        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "tacos")
     }
 
     def assertion_func(conn):
@@ -111,17 +96,11 @@ async def test_single_simple_test_security_transport_succeeds():
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_two_simple_test_security_transport_for_initiator_succeeds():
     transports_for_initiator = {
-        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "tacos"
-        ),
-        "shleep": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "shleep"
-        ),
+        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "tacos"),
+        "shleep": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "shleep"),
     }
     transports_for_noninitiator = {
-        "shleep": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "shleep"
-        )
+        "shleep": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "shleep")
     }
 
     def assertion_func(conn):
@@ -135,17 +114,11 @@ async def test_two_simple_test_security_transport_for_initiator_succeeds():
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_two_simple_test_security_transport_for_noninitiator_succeeds():
     transports_for_initiator = {
-        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "tacos"
-        )
+        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "tacos")
     }
     transports_for_noninitiator = {
-        "shleep": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "shleep"
-        ),
-        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "tacos"
-        ),
+        "shleep": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "shleep"),
+        "tacos": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "tacos"),
     }
 
     def assertion_func(conn):
@@ -159,20 +132,12 @@ async def test_two_simple_test_security_transport_for_noninitiator_succeeds():
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_two_simple_test_security_transport_for_both_succeeds():
     transports_for_initiator = {
-        "a": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "a"
-        ),
-        "b": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "b"
-        ),
+        "a": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "a"),
+        "b": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "b"),
     }
     transports_for_noninitiator = {
-        "b": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "b"
-        ),
-        "c": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "c"
-        ),
+        "b": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "b"),
+        "c": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "c"),
     }
 
     def assertion_func(conn):
@@ -186,20 +151,12 @@ async def test_two_simple_test_security_transport_for_both_succeeds():
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_multiple_security_none_the_same_fails():
     transports_for_initiator = {
-        "a": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "a"
-        ),
-        "b": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            initiator_private_key_bytes, initiator_public_key_bytes, "b"
-        ),
+        "a": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "a"),
+        "b": SimpleSecurityTransport(initiator_key_pair, "b"),
     }
     transports_for_noninitiator = {
-        "d": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "d"
-        ),
-        "c": SimpleSecurityTransport(
-            noninitiator_private_key_bytes, noninitiator_public_key_bytes, "c"
-        ),
+        "d": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "d"),
+        "c": SimpleSecurityTransport(noninitiator_key_pair, "c"),
     }
 
     def assertion_func(_):
diff --git a/tests/utils.py b/tests/utils.py
index 39368694..58a08807 100644
--- a/tests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import asyncio
 from contextlib import suppress
 
-from Crypto.PublicKey import RSA
 import multiaddr
 
 from libp2p import new_node
@@ -54,8 +53,3 @@ async def perform_two_host_set_up_custom_handler(handler):
     # Associate the peer with local ip address (see default parameters of Libp2p())
     node_a.get_peerstore().add_addrs(node_b.get_id(), node_b.get_addrs(), 10)
     return node_a, node_b
-
-
-def generate_new_private_key():
-    new_key = RSA.generate(2048, e=65537)
-    return new_key