Will SegWit Allow for Multiple Signatures with Very Large n and m?
The Ethereum community is always exploring ways to improve the scalability and security of its blockchain network. Recently, a discussion has emerged regarding the potential use of SegWit 2.x, specifically in the context of multisig wallets that require multiple signers (m-of-n) to authorize transactions.
By understanding the underlying architecture of BIP141, which governs the creation of m-of-n multisig addresses, we can better assess whether SegWit 2.x will enable the creation of very large n and m values.
The P2SH RedeemScript Limit
As stated in the Ethereum whitepaper, the maximum size for a redeemScript (a script used to redeem a private key) is limited by the P2SH redeemScript format. According to Section 3.5 of BIP141, a P2SH redeemScript is defined as follows:
0x...
where n and m are integers representing the size of the private keys.
The maximum allowed size for a redeemScript is 520 bytes. This limits the maximum value that an m-of-n multisig address can hold, as it requires both n and m to be less than or equal to this limit.
Will SegWit Enable Large n and m Values?
Given the current limitations imposed by the P2SH redeemScript format, it is unlikely that SegWit 2.x will enable the creation of very large values for n and m.
In particular, the maximum size allowed by the P2SH redeemScript format (520 bytes) already exceeds the value of a typical Ethereum address. Adding additional private keys to an m-of-n multisig address would require increasing the length of the redeemScript beyond what is currently permitted.
However, it is worth noting that SegWit 2.x introduces several new features and improvements over its predecessor, including increased block size limits (up to 2MB) and improved transaction validation. These upgrades may have implications for m-of-n multisig wallets and their ability to support large n and m values.
Conclusion
In summary, while SegWit 2.x introduces new features and improvements over its predecessor, the current limitations imposed by the P2SH redeemScript format make it unlikely that very large values can be supported in m-of-n multisig addresses. Nevertheless, as developers continue to explore ways to optimize and extend Ethereum’s scalability and security features, we may see further innovations that could enable new use cases for large n and m values.