diff --git a/crypto/sha3/hashes.go b/crypto/sha3/hashes.go
index 2b51cf4e9b..669cd5543c 100644
--- a/crypto/sha3/hashes.go
+++ b/crypto/sha3/hashes.go
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ import (
 	"hash"
 )
 
+// NewKeccak256 creates a new Keccak-256 hash.
+func NewKeccak256() hash.Hash { return &state{rate: 136, outputLen: 32, dsbyte: 0x01} }
+
 // New224 creates a new SHA3-224 hash.
 // Its generic security strength is 224 bits against preimage attacks,
 // and 112 bits against collision attacks.