Definition
A Schnorr signature is a digital signature produced using a Schnorr-style cryptographic construction. Bitcoin's BIP-340 specifies a particular version over the secp256k1 elliptic curve, including its encoding and verification rules. It forms part of the signing capabilities used with Taproot. The construction has mathematical properties that can support efficient verification and carefully designed multiparty signing protocols, but ordinary signatures do not automatically combine themselves or make every multisignature wallet private. Additional protocols must handle participant coordination and security correctly. BIP-340 signatures use a 64-byte core encoding, distinct from some other Bitcoin signature representations. As with other signature schemes, security depends on protecting private keys and implementing nonce generation and signing correctly. A Schnorr signature proves authorization under a key and a defined message; it does not encrypt transaction contents, identify the signer as a person, or prove the payment's economic purpose.
Source references
References accompanying this glossary entry:
Educational reference, not financial advice. See our financial disclaimer and editorial policy.