Create a transaction in pure Python without running Bitcoin locally

In this article, we will explore the feasibility of creating a transaction in pure Python using only the underlying Bitcoin protocol and without running Bitcoin locally. We will also see how to sign transactions using your private key.

What is a signed transaction?

A signed transaction in Bitcoin is essentially a message that contains the identity of the sender (public key) and a digital signature that proves that the sender has control over their private keys. The signature is generated using a public and private key pair, where the public key is used to identify the sender and the private key is used to sign the transaction.

Can we create a signed transaction in pure Python?

Yes, it is possible to create a signed transaction in pure Python without running Bitcoin locally. As an implementation, we will use the “Bitcoin” library, which provides a Python interface to interact with the Bitcoin network.

Here is an example code snippet showing how to create a signed transaction using your private key:

import bitcoin
def get_public_key(private_key):
"""Obtain the recipient's public key from the private key."""
return bitcoin.PublicKey.from_private_key(private_key)
def sign_transaction(transaction, private_key):
"""Sign a transaction using the given private key."""
sender = transaction.sender
signature = bitcoin.signature.sign(
transaction,
bitcoin.PublicKey.get_from_string(sender)
)
return {
"signature": bitcoin.signature.to_string(signature),
'private_key': private_key.hex()
}





Usage example:
private_key = bitcoin.PrivateKey.from_hex('0123456789012345678901234567890abcdef') 
Replace with your private key
transaction = {
'sender': {
'address': '1A2B3C4D5E6F7G8H9I0J',
'amount': 10.0 
in BTC
},
'signature': '1234567890123456789012345678901234567890abcdef'
}
signed_transaction = signed_transaction(transaction, private_key)
print(signed_transaction)

In this example, we create a “bitcoin” object and use the private key as input. We then use the Signature.sign() method to generate a signature for the transaction that includes both the sender’s public key and the transaction data.

The resulting dictionary contains the details of the signed transaction, including the signature and the private key used to sign it.

Is it doable?

Although Bitcoin’s underlying protocol allows us to create a signed transaction in pure Python, there are a few limitations to be aware of:

• The Bitcoin library is designed to interact with Bitcoin at the protocol level, not to create raw transactions that must be verified and executed by the Bitcoin network.

*You must have access to a Bitcoin node or interface to the Bitcoin blockchain to verify and execute the signed transaction on the network.

• The Signature.sign() method generates a unique signature that covers all the data in the transaction. If you want to create multiple signatures for different parties to the transaction, you may need to use a different approach.

In summary, while creating a signed transaction in pure Python is technically possible without running Bitcoin locally, it requires additional configuration and considerations to work effectively with Bitcoin’s underlying protocol.

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