<ul>
<li><strong>No.</strong> Multisignature transactions involve multiple keys/signatures, whereas this involves splitting up one key.</li>
<li>As far as I know, it's not used at all in production. There are a whole host of issues.</li>
<li>P2SH was created to make multisignature transactions easier to implement for e-wallet providers and merchants, and to move the burden of multisignature transactions from the sender to the reciever.</li>
<li><p>Like so:</p>

<ol>
<li>Generate a key</li>
<li>Split the key up, store the pieces in different places</li>
<li>Put the key back together</li>
<li>Sign transactions</li>
</ol>

<p>The major problem with split-key transactions is that you need a trusted third party. When they generate the key, they could secretly store it. When they put the key back together, they could secretly sign a transaction that stole all of your bitcoins. </p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-27T16:56:35.337Z
2013-02-27T16:56:35.337Z
Nick ODell
<p>Here is some <a href="https://github.com/vbuterin/btckeysplit" rel="nofollow">github code to create split keys.</a></p>

<ul>
<li><p>Is Key Splitting the same as Multi Sig?  </p></li>
<li><p>What are the benefits of Key Splitting, what's it used for? </p></li>
<li><p>How does it relate to P2SH or any other relevant BIP?</p></li>
<li><p>How are split keys used in a transaction?</p></li>
</ul>

<bitcoin-core><multi-signature>
What is "Key Splitting"? When would I use it?
makerofthings7
# What is "Key Splitting"? When would I use it?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-02-27)

Here is some [github code to create split keys.](https://github.com/vbuterin/btckeysplit)

* Is Key Splitting the same as Multi Sig?
* What are the benefits of Key Splitting, what's it used for?
* How does it relate to P2SH or any other relevant BIP?
* How are split keys used in a transaction?

**Tags:** bitcoin-core, multi-signature


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-02-27. Score: 3

* **No.** Multisignature transactions involve multiple keys/signatures, whereas this involves splitting up one key.
* As far as I know, it's not used at all in production. There are a whole host of issues.
* P2SH was created to make multisignature transactions easier to implement for e-wallet providers and merchants, and to move the burden of multisignature transactions from the sender to the reciever.
* Like so:

  1. Generate a key
  2. Split the key up, store the pieces in different places
  3. Put the key back together
  4. Sign transactions

  The major problem with split-key transactions is that you need a trusted third party. When they generate the key, they could secretly store it. When they put the key back together, they could secretly sign a transaction that stole all of your bitcoins.


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