Sighash Flags

A SIGHASH flag is used to indicate which part of the transaction is signed by the ECDSA signature. The mechanism provides a flexibility in constructing transactions. There are in total 6 different flag combinations that can be added to a digital signature in a transaction. Note that different inputs can use different SIGHASH flags enabling complex compositions of spending conditions.

NOTE: Currently all BitcoinSV transactions require an additional SIGHASH flag called SIGHASH_FORKID which is 0x40

The tables below illustrate what is signed and what is not signed in an ECDSA siganture depending on the SIGHASH type used.

Items that are always signed

The signature on any input always signs the TXID and VOUT that comprise the Outpoint being spent as well as the version of the protocol that the transaction is being evaluated under and the locktime being applied to the transaction.

Items that are never signed

Unlocking scripts are never signed

SIGHASH_ALL

SIGHASH_ALL signs all inputs and outputs used to build the transaction. Once an input signed with SIGHASH_ALL is added to a transaction, the transaction's details cannot be changed without that signature being invalidated.

SIGHASH_SINGLE

SIGHASH_SINGLE signs all inputs and the output that shares the same index as the input being signed. If that output or any inputs are changed that signature becomes invalidated.

SIGHASH_NONE

SIGHASH_NONE signs all inputs and no outputs. Any output can be changed without invalidating the signature however if any inputs are changed that signature becomes invalidated.

SIGHASH_ALL|ANYONECANPAY

`Once an input signed with SIGHASH_ALL|ANYONECANPAY is added to a transaction outputs cannot be changed or added without that signature being invalidated.

SIGHASH_SINGLE|ANYONECANPAY

SIGHASH_SINGLE|ANYONECANPAY signs the input being signed and the output that shares the same index. If that output is changed that signature becomes invalidated.

SIGHASH_NONE|ANYONECANPAY

SIGHASH_NONE|ANYONECANPAY signs a single inputs and no outputs. This type of signature can be used to easily assign funds to a person or smart-contract without creating an on-chain action.

Use cases

SIGHASH flags are useful when constructing smart contracts and negotiable transactions in payment channels.

Use Case 1 - Crowdfunding

Using ALL | ANYONECANPAY allows a transaction to have a fixed output or fixed outputs while keeping the input list open. That is, anyone can add their input with their signature to the transaction without invalidating all existing signatures.

Use Case 2 - Blank Check

Using NONE allows anyone to add their desired outputs to the transaction to claim the funds in the input.

Use Case 3 - Modular Transaction

Using SINGLE | ANYONECANPAY modularises a transaction. Any number of these transactions can be combined into one transaction.