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MuSig2 derivation, descriptor, and PSBT field BIPs

MuSig2 derivation, descriptor, and PSBT field BIPs

Original Postby Ava Chow

Posted on: January 15, 2024 23:29 UTC

Recent revisions have been made to the MuSig2 descriptor and PSBT field Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) that were initially distributed in October, with key updates now available for review.

A third BIP has been introduced to delineate the construction and derivation of synthetic extended public keys (xpubs), a process previously contained within the descriptors BIP but now separated due to its relevance to both the descriptors and PSBT fields BIPs.

The descriptors BIP remains largely unchanged with an ongoing consideration of eliminating ranged derivation within expressions while maintaining it for the aggregate public key itself. This suggestion is currently under evaluation and feedback is welcome.

Modifications to the PSBT fields BIP include a pivotal change where the aggregate public key is now presented as a plain public key rather than exclusively as an 'xonly' key. This adjustment aims to simplify the process of identifying derived keys by incorporating the necessary evenness bit into the serialized fingerprint of the parent key or aggregate public key. Consequently, this allows entities examining solely the PSBT to accurately determine if a key is derived from an aggregate public key also specified within the same PSBT.

For a comprehensive understanding of these changes and their implications, the full texts of the updated BIPs are accessible via the provided GitHub links:

  • For details on the derivation process, refer to the Derivation BIP at https://github.com/achow101/bips/blob/musig2/bip-musig2-derivation.mediawiki.
  • The Descriptors BIP can be examined at https://github.com/achow101/bips/blob/musig2/bip-musig2-descriptors.mediawiki.
  • Information regarding the PSBT fields is available at https://github.com/achow101/bips/blob/musig2/bip-musig2-psbt.mediawiki.

This invitation to engage with the revised BIPs suggests that the recipient's expertise and insights are valued in the continuous development and refinement of these protocols.