INTRODUCTION
We all work really hard for our money, especially in the cryptocurrency industry; I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that.
Now that we have worked hard to get this money, we must work harder to keep them secure and free from criminals.
Before doing any cryptographic transactions, a multi-sig wallet asks you to enter multiple secret keys.
This method can help with security issues and simplify for groups of individuals to distribute resources fairly.
These wallets can be a beneficial tool for managing your cryptocurrency cash if you can understand how to use them and don’t require transactions to happen instantly.
This article will explore the concept of multi-sig wallets and their functions, pros and cons to give readers the basic information they need to understand how multi-sig wallets work.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT IS A MULTI-SIG WALLET?
Multi-sig is the abbreviation for “multi-signature,” as the name suggests, it refers to a wallet that requires the input of two or more private keys to obtain access and execute any transactions.
This increases the security of the money that is kept in the wallet since many parties must approve it before sending any transactions.
Multi-sig wallets are smart-contract-based wallets that let many signers analyze and concur on a blockchain activity before it is carried out.
For instance, a smart contract that needs approval from at least M out of N total signers may be used to control ETH using a multi-sig wallet.
It is a form of decentralized government more broadly.
A multi-sig wallet’s mechanism relies on several signatures from a list of preset addresses; the transaction cannot be completed if any of these signatures are absent.
Imagine it as a safe that can only be opened by a set of special keys that are used in tandem.
Usually, a blockchain transaction can be signed with just one private key. The construction of addresses that require more than one private key to sign a transaction successfully is permitted by various blockchains, including the one on which Bitcoin is based.
Just the keys that are stated by the address may be utilised, such as your key, your wives’ keys, and the keys provided by your security provider if you carry a 3-of-3 wallet.
Other combinations with varied applications include 2-of-2, 3-of-3, 2-of-3, and even 1-of-2.
The transaction can only be authorised and a signature generated if the necessary quantity of private keys is used.
This indicates that your assets typically remain secure even if one of the keys is stolen.
TYPES OF MULTI-SIG WALLET
Cryptocurrency wallets with multiple signatures can be identified by the number of active private keys and the number of signatures needed to approve a transaction.
These are a few settings that are frequently used on cryptocurrency exchanges as well as in personal wallets.
2-of-2 Multi-Sig wallet
The 2-of-2 multi-signature technique is used in wallets secured by the two-factor authentication feature.
The goal is to store private keys on two different gadgets. As an illustration, one private key might be kept on a computer and the other on a portable device.
No transaction can be approved without both devices signing it.
The 2-of-2 MultiSig wallet boosts security but comes with the chance that you won’t be able to access your money if one of the devices is compromised.
2-of-3 MultiSig wallet
This particular MultiSig wallet variety needs two of the three active private keys to approve transactions. Exchanges frequently employ them to increase the security of their hot wallets.
One private key is kept online by an exchange that supports 2-of-3 MultiSig addresses, and the other is kept offline on a separate device (often referred to as a “paper” backup).
An unrelated security firm stores the third secret key.
Two different organisations hold private keys, so the wallet is still secure even if one is compromised. In the event that the security partner goes out of business, the offline backup further secures the hot wallet.
1-of-2 Multisig wallet
Money can be distributed across several individuals using multi-sig wallets. You can set up a wallet so that any of your two keys can make the signature if you wish to share the use of funds in a single wallet with a reliable person.
But none of you must have both keys to use the money alone.
WORKING MECHANISM OF A MULTI-SIG WALLET
A multi-sig wallet is often not much more difficult to set up than a single wallet.
You can add participants to a wallet with a few clicks after choosing your co-signers or how many people you want to share the wallet with.
You can also choose how many signatures you need for a transaction to be valid, equivalent to how many private keys your wallet will have.
Of course, if you’re using the multi-sig wallet alone, you may also use those as additional layers of security.
The “master public key” password, which all co-signers require to access a shared multi-sig wallet, must also be known.
To make the wallet genuinely “multi-sig,” you must share the master public key with each co-signer, which makes it different from a conventional public key.
After co-signers have consented to confirm that they want to “join”, the multi-sig wallet will tell how many participants need to sign a transaction for it to be acceptable.
The fundamental steps for using a multi-sig wallet remain the same regardless of how many key holders you have.
The process begins when one user uses their wallet to conduct a transaction. They insert the transaction’s specifics into their wallet and sign it with their key.
The deal hasn’t been sealed; until all necessary keys sign the transaction, it will be considered a pending transaction.
The wallet automatically signs the transaction and sends the funds to the correct address after submitting the correct amount of keys.
No hierarchy exists in multi-sig wallets.
For instance, no particular signature is required to complete a transaction if the multisig wallet needs four of the five private keys to confirm it.
In its place, four of the five users are free to sign the transaction in any order they choose. Transactions never become invalid. Before receiving the necessary signatures, pending transaction proposals will remain unfinished.
PROS AND CONS OF MULTI-SIG WALLET
PROS
In addition to increased security, multi-sig wallets provide users with so many other benefits, such as:
- TRANSPARENCY
Comparatively speaking, multi-sig wallets offer more transparency than other wallet formats.
On the chain or in the code, all transaction policies, signers, and actual transactions are made available to the public.
This makes it possible to see clearly the guidelines for transactions and the responsibility of individuals involved in money management.
- EASILY ADJUSTABLE AND UPGRADABLE
A multi-sig can be quickly modified or improved to meet the requirements of a DAO or institution because of its status as a smart wallet.
Developers can add protocols and models to the wallet to enable complex activities like DAO voting or asset management services.
Groups of individuals can now create community-owned, programmable wallets that take advantage of multi-sigs thanks to platforms like Juicebox.
Everyone may access the code that controls multi-sig wallets.
Thanks to clear, open development, anyone can audit the wallets and ensure the money is safe and secure.
- NO ‘SOLE KEY HOLDER’ RISK
First, the multi-sig wallets’ architectural structure removes the traditional “key person” danger.
Key person risk occurs when a business depends nearly exclusively on the success of a single person.
In the cryptocurrency world, this vulnerability is all too common, especially when only one person has access to the seed phrase for a wallet.
One of the most notorious instances of this involves the cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX.
It was discovered that the exchange’s founder was the only person with access to the cold storage, which supposedly contained $190 million in inaccessible customer deposits, after his untimely death.
Multi-sig wallets can reduce any single point of failure and eliminate key person risk because they need multiple signatures from a number of parties to conduct a transaction.
The two-of-three multi-sig implementation, for example, can further guarantee that important transactions can be completed even when one important participant is not present.
- TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
Multiple signatures are another method of two-factor (2FA) authentication that you can use.
You can still prevent someone from withdrawing money from your account even if they manage to steal one of your keys.
You can keep all private keys for yourself or distribute them to others.
In either case, it ensures that every transaction is thoroughly verified before finalising.
- ESCROW TRANSACTIONS
Holding money in escrow while engaging in business with another party might be beneficial.
Escrow transactions fundamentally ensure that neither side can obtain money, goods, or services without the other upholding their half of the bargain.
Two of three wallets let you carry out escrow contracts using digital assets.
The payer, first deposits money into the wallet to begin these transactions.
Both parties can sign the wallet to send the money to the seller after the other party has delivered the agreed-upon goods or services.
In a disagreement, an impartial third party with access to the key can decide whether to provide the money to the buyer or the seller.
- CONTROLLED ACCESS TO FUNDS
The multi-sig requirement adds an extra layer of security to wallet transactions by requiring several key holders to maintain accountability to one another.
For example, a 6-of-8 wallet guards against unauthorised cash withdrawals and misuse. The more signatures needed to approve a transaction, the more decentralised the decision-making process becomes.
CONS
Despite the many benefits of multi-sig wallets, there are still a few loopholes.
Some of which are:
- TRANSACTION SPEED
The additional signature requirements typically cause a transaction to take a little longer to complete.
That may not take too long if you can arrange a transaction with the other key holders and speak with them.
Things become more difficult, though, if you can’t contact another member. Transactions often completed in a matter of seconds could wind up lasting many days.
- TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
There are a few extra steps involved in setting up a multi-sig wallet.
The process may be a little complicated because you frequently have to go through a third-party wallet provider.
Due to the fact that multi-sig wallets are still relatively new, it can be challenging to explain how they operate to others.
Additionally, the law hasn’t quite caught up with the new technology.
It’s crucial to properly research how the wallets function and make sure you follow all the instructions when creating a multi-sig wallet for your company.
EXAMPLES OF MULTI-SIG WALLET
Here’s a list of examples of Multisig wallets and their features:
Bitpay
- Mobile Wallet
- Secure BTC and other assets with multi-signature
- Optional key encryption
- Provides up to 2-of-3 authorisers to sign a transaction
Electrum
- Desktop & Mobile Wallet
- Lightweight BTC Wallet with multi-signature support
- Supports integration with major hardware wallets
- Provides up to 15-of-15 authorisers to sign a transaction
- Gnosis
- Gnosis Safe is one of the highest-quality implementations of a smart contract wallet
- Makes use of smart contracts to control funds
- Allows you to determine the number of owners required to approve a transaction and to build a smart contract wallet (a safe) with any number of owner addresses.
Coinbase
- Web Wallet
- Coinbase controls your private keys
- Provides non-hosted multi-signature wallets
- Provides up to 3-of-3 authorisers to sign a transaction
Armory
- Desktop Wallet
- Secure BTC wallet with multi-signature support
- Open-Source wallet with Cold Storage
- Provides up to 7-of-7 authorizers to sign a transaction
BitGo
- Web, Desktop & Mobile Wallet
- Multi-signature bitcoin wallet service
- Provides up to 3-of-3 authorizers to sign a transaction
- Secure and insured cold storage
CONCLUSION
The features and fundamental ideas underlying multi-signature wallets suggest that they are valuable tools for developing cryptocurrency.
The multi-sig wallets guarantee enhanced security because several private keys are required to sign transactions.
But, multi-sig wallet concerns, such as the requirement for technical expertise, can also pose significant challenges.