Key Differences between Spending Key Hash and Payment Key Hash

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 145 views

Introduction

In the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, understanding the nuances of key management is crucial for secure and efficient transactions. Cardano, a proof-of-stake blockchain platform, has its own set of terminology and concepts that can be confusing, especially for newcomers. In this article, we will delve into the difference between spending key hash and payment key hash (PKH), two concepts that are often mentioned in the context of Cardano and Plutus.

What is a Spending Key Hash?

A spending key hash is a cryptographic hash of a spending key, which is a private key used to authorize transactions on a blockchain. In the context of Cardano, the spending key hash is mentioned in the documentation as a way to identify a wallet or an account. However, it's essential to note that Cardano does not use the term "spending key" in the classical sense. Instead, it uses a payment key hash (PKH) to identify a wallet or an account.

What is a Payment Key Hash (PKH)?

A payment key hash (PKH) is a cryptographic hash of a payment key, which is a private key used to authorize transactions on a blockchain. In the context of Cardano, the PKH is used to identify a wallet or an account, and it's the primary way to address a wallet on the Cardano network. The PKH is derived from the payment key, which is a private key used to sign transactions.

Key Differences between Spending Key Hash and Payment Key Hash

While both spending key hash and payment key hash are used to identify wallets or accounts on the Cardano network, there are key differences between them.

Purpose: The primary purpose of a spending key hash is to identify a wallet or an account, whereas the primary purpose of a payment key hash is to authorize transactions on a blockchain.
Usage: Spending key hash is not used in the classical sense, whereas payment key hash is widely used in the Cardano ecosystem.
Derivation: Spending key hash is not derived from a spending key, whereas payment key hash is derived from a payment key.

Plutus and the Absence of Spending Key

Plutus, a smart contract platform built on top of Cardano, does not use the concept of a spending key. Instead, it uses a payment key hash (PKH) to identify a wallet or an account. This is because Plutus is designed to work with payment key hashes, which are used to authorize transactions on the Cardano network.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the spending key hash and payment key hash (PKH) are two distinct concepts that are often mentioned in the context of Cardano and Plutus. While both are used to identify wallets or accounts on the Cardano network, they serve different purposes and have different usage and derivation mechanisms. Understanding the difference between these two concepts is essential for secure and efficient transactions on the Cardano network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a spending key hash?

A: A spending key hash is a cryptographic hash of a spending key, which is a private key used to authorize transactions on a blockchain.

Q: What is a payment key hash (PKH)?

A: A payment key hash (PKH) is a cryptographic hash of a payment key, which is a private key used to authorize transactions on a blockchain.

Q: What is the difference between spending key hash and payment key hash?

A: The primary purpose of a spending key hash is to identify a wallet or an account, whereas the primary purpose of a payment key hash is to authorize transactions on a blockchain.

Q: Why is Plutus not using the concept of spending key?

A: Plutus is designed to work with payment key hashes, which are used to authorize transactions on the Cardano network.

Q: How do I derive a payment key hash (PKH) from a payment key?

A: The derivation of a payment key hash (PKH) from a payment key is a complex process that involves cryptographic hash functions and key derivation algorithms. It's recommended to use a secure and reliable method to derive a PKH from a payment key.

Q: Can I use a spending key hash to authorize transactions on the Cardano network?

Q: What is the purpose of a spending key hash?

A: A spending key hash is not used in the classical sense, but it is mentioned in the Cardano documentation as a way to identify a wallet or an account. However, it's essential to note that Cardano does not use the term "spending key" in the classical sense.

Q: Can I use a spending key hash to identify a wallet or an account on the Cardano network?

A: While a spending key hash can be used to identify a wallet or an account, it's not the recommended way to do so. The payment key hash (PKH) is the primary way to address a wallet on the Cardano network.

Q: How do I derive a payment key hash (PKH) from a payment key?

Q: Can I use a payment key hash (PKH) to authorize transactions on the Cardano network?

A: Yes, a payment key hash (PKH) is used to authorize transactions on the Cardano network. It's the primary way to identify a wallet or an account and authorize transactions on the network.

Q: Why is Plutus not using the concept of spending key?

A: Plutus is designed to work with payment key hashes, which are used to authorize transactions on the Cardano network. The concept of spending key is not used in Plutus.

Q: Can I use a spending key hash to authorize transactions on the Plutus platform?

A: No, spending key hash is not used to authorize transactions on the Plutus platform. Instead, payment key hash (PKH) is used to authorize transactions on the Plutus platform.

Q: What is the difference between a spending key hash and a payment key hash (PKH)?

A: The primary purpose of a spending key hash is to identify a wallet or an account, whereas the primary purpose of a payment key hash is to authorize transactions on a blockchain.

Q: Can I use a spending key hash to derive a payment key hash (PKH)?

A: No, a spending key hash cannot be used to derive a payment key hash (PKH). The derivation of a PKH from a payment key is a complex process that involves cryptographic hash functions and key derivation algorithms.

Q: What is the recommended way to identify a wallet or an account on the Cardano network?

A: The recommended way to identify a wallet or an account on the Cardano network is to use a payment key hash (PKH).

Q: Can I use a spending key hash to identify a wallet or an account on the Plutus platform?

A: No, spending key hash is not used to identify a wallet or an account on the Plutus platform. Instead, payment key hash (PKH) is used to identify a wallet or an account on the Plutus platform.

Q: What is the recommended way to authorize transactions on the Cardano network?

A: The recommended way to authorize transactions on the Cardano network is to use a payment key hash (PKH).

Q: Can I use a spending key hash to authorize transactions on the Plutus platform?

A: No, spending key hash is not used to authorize transactions on the Plutus platform. Instead, payment key hash (PKH) is used to authorize transactions on the Plutus platform.