Bitcoin transaction fails with high threshold: « Signature must be zero for failed CHECK(MULTI)SIG operation »
The world of Bitcoin transactions can be complex, especially when it comes to multisig wallets and the verification processes involved. Recently, a user reported a failure to create a transaction using the 3/4 P2SH script, but the same issue occurred with the 5/8 P2SH script. This result prompted them to investigate why the high threshold of the multisig wallet was causing such problems.
Problem: High threshold and failed transaction
In Bitcoin, multisig wallets require multiple signatures for a transaction to be valid. A common configuration is to use a 3/4 or 5/8 multisig setup, which requires a total of four or five signatures. However, when using these settings with high thresholds, such as 32,000 or more, the verification process becomes increasingly complex.
In the case of the user who reported the issue, they successfully created a transaction using 3/4 P2SH scripts, but it failed because their multisig wallet had a high threshold. The error message stated that the « Signature must be zero for CHECK(MULTI)SIG to fail » step failed.
Understanding the problem
The critical issue here is that when the number of signatures in a transaction exceeds the specified threshold, the verification process fails. This is because Bitcoin’s CHECK(MULTI)SIG function relies on each individual script to sign the transaction and verify its validity before continuing with the rest of the transaction. When the number of signatures is too high, this step fails.
A Solution: Lowering the Threshold
The user was able to resolve their issue by lowering their multisig wallet threshold from 32,000 to a more manageable level. This adjustment allowed them to successfully create transactions with a lower number of signatures.
Conclusion and Advice
When working with multisig wallets in Bitcoin, it is important to be aware of the potential high thresholds that can cause issues during transaction creation. By understanding how these complex issues work and taking steps to mitigate them, users can avoid similar issues and ensure that their transactions are successfully created.
As always, it is important to note that this is a specific scenario, and other users may face different challenges when creating and validating Bitcoin transactions with multisig wallets. However, by understanding the basics of how high thresholds work in Bitcoin, you can take steps to prevent the issues reported in this case.
Tips to prevent similar issues:
- Monitor your transaction volume and adjust your multisig settings accordingly.
- Make sure your wallet settings are up to date and set up correctly.
- Keep your wallet software and plugins up to date, as any outdated versions can cause errors or conflicts with other wallets.
By becoming aware of the potential pitfalls of high thresholds in Bitcoin transactions and taking steps to mitigate them, you can enjoy a smoother experience when working with multisig wallets in this popular cryptocurrency.