Wasabi

Updated: December 2025
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Get Wasabi Visit official website
positive icon Tor and client filterspositive icon Coin control and PayJoinpositive icon Hardware Interface

Quick verdict

positive icon Best for: Privacy-focused bitcoiners who want a self-custodial desktop wallet with default Tor routing, coin control, and hardware wallet support.

neutral icon Consider if: You value mandatory labeling, open-source code, hardware wallet integration, and the option to connect your own node.

negative icon Not ideal when: You need a mobile app, built-in CoinJoin (zkSNACKs coordinator shut down June 2024), or Lightning support.

Set up your Wasabi wallet

Set up your Wasabi wallet

1. Install and create your wallet

1. Install and create your wallet

Setup time: ~10 minCost: FreeRisk: Low
  1. Download Wasabi from wasabiwallet.io or build it from source, then verify the package signature.
  2. Create a new wallet, record the 12 recovery words, and set a strong passphrase that only you know.
  3. Confirm the words inside the app so you know the backup is correct before depositing any sats.

Gotcha: You need both the seed words and the passphrase to spend later, so store them in different safe places.

2. Label every deposit

2. Label every deposit

Setup time: ~5 minCost: FreeRisk: Low
  1. Open Receive, describe who knows this address, and let Wasabi generate a fresh bc1 address.
  2. Share the address with your exchange or payer and wait for on-chain confirmations in the History tab.
  3. Mark the coin with meaningful labels so you remember which observers know about it when you spend later.

Gotcha: Reusing addresses exposes your graph to every counterparty, so rely on Wasabi's labeling workflow.

3. Practice sending privately

3. Practice sending privately

Setup time: ~10 minCost: Mining feeRisk: Low
  1. Use Send to craft a transaction, select which coins to spend, and review the fee estimate.
  2. Authorize the send with your passphrase and watch it broadcast to the network.
  3. Note which observers now know about the recipient address so your labels stay accurate.

Gotcha: CoinJoin was available via the zkSNACKs coordinator until June 2024; community coordinators may still operate.

Quick answers

Can I still use CoinJoin with Wasabi Wallet?

The zkSNACKs coordinator shut down June 1, 2024. Wasabi continues as a regular wallet with Tor, coin control, and PayJoin. Community coordinators may emerge.

Does Wasabi require a seed phrase and passphrase?

Yes. Write down the 12 words and store the passphrase separately; you need both to spend or recover your Bitcoin.

Can Wasabi connect to my own Bitcoin node?

Yes. Point Wasabi at your Bitcoin Core or Electrum server in settings so address lookups and filters stay private.

Key features

Who holds your keys & what privacy you get

Self-custody (you hold the keys)

  • Non-custodial: Private keys stay on your device, encrypted with your passphrase.
  • Recovery: Standard BIP39 recovery words plus optional passphrase (Nip-46) let you restore on any compatible wallet.
  • Hardware option: Pair Coldcard, Trezor, Ledger via Hardware Wallet Interface so signing stays offline.

Good for: Full control without third-party risk. Trade-off: You alone manage backups and passphrases.

Tor and client filters

  • Always-on Tor: Network calls route through Tor by default, hiding your IP from servers.
  • Compact block filters: The app downloads filters and scans them locally so your addresses never leave the machine.
  • Node option: Point Wasabi at your own Bitcoin Core or Electrum server for full self-verification.

Good for: Users who want privacy without extra VPN layers. Trade-off: Tor adds latency when the network is busy.

Coin control and PayJoin

  • Mandatory labeling: Every address and coin carries the observers you list so you can avoid accidental linkages later.
  • Manual coin selection: Spend view lets you choose exactly which coins fund a payment.
  • PayJoin support: Send interactive PayJoin transactions (BIP78) to break common-input-ownership heuristics when the recipient supports it.

Good for: Advanced spend policies and privacy-conscious transactions. Trade-off: Requires discipline; sloppy labels break the model.

CoinJoin (availability varies)

  • zkSNACKs coordinator shutdown: The default coordinator closed June 1, 2024. Wasabi continues as a regular wallet with coin control and PayJoin.
  • Community coordinators: Third-party coordinators may operate; check forums and GitHub for current options.
  • Open-source protocol: WabiSabi is public, so anyone can run a coordinator if demand returns.

Good for: Understanding current privacy options. Trade-off: CoinJoin requires an active coordinator.

If this happens, can I still move my Bitcoin?

If this happens, can I still move my Bitcoin?

Lose laptop

Works
~15 min

Wallet files live on your computer, but the seed phrase and passphrase recreate everything on a fresh install.

Show steps
  1. Install Wasabi on a new machine and choose Recover wallet.
  2. Enter the 12 words plus the exact passphrase to unlock the keys.
  3. Let the wallet rescan filters; your balance reappears once sync completes.

Gotcha: Restoring on a new device invalidates the old install, so wipe or destroy the lost machine if it resurfaces.

Lose seed words

Works, with caveat
Plan ahead

The 12 words are the root of every key, so without them you cannot recreate the wallet.

Show steps
  1. If the wallet is still open, generate a new wallet immediately and move funds there.
  2. Export labels and history to help with bookkeeping before you sweep.
  3. Store the new seed in duplicate fire-resistant locations.

Gotcha: There is no recovery without the seed, so test backups before you deposit life-changing amounts.

Forget passphrase

Works, with caveat
Only while wallet stays unlocked

Wasabi encrypts secrets with the optional passphrase, so the seed alone is insufficient once you set it.

Show steps
  1. If you still have the wallet unlocked, open Wallet Manager and change the passphrase to something memorable.
  2. Record the new passphrase alongside—but separate from—the seed words.
  3. Sweep funds into a fresh wallet if you suspect the old passphrase leaked.

Gotcha: If you lose the passphrase and the wallet is locked, the coins are gone; there is no brute-force option.

Coordinator offline

Works
Minutes

CoinJoin needs a coordinator, but your keys are local so you can still spend on-chain or point to another coordinator.

Show steps
  1. Pause Auto CoinJoin and send coins on-chain like any other wallet.
  2. Switch to a community coordinator or run your own if you need immediate mixes.
  3. Reconnect to the default coordinator once it is back online.

Gotcha: CoinJoin pauses while the coordinator is offline, so plan mixes ahead of deadlines.

Inheritance: choose your path

Inheritance: choose your path

Wasabi is self-custody and has no built-in inheritance service; choose a path below.

1. DIY single-sig

You only
Document locations

When you control a single seed plus passphrase, heirs need both pieces and clear instructions to restore the wallet. This works when you trust one person to find everything and execute carefully.

What's required:
  • Written seed phrase location
  • Passphrase location (stored separately)
  • Wasabi installation guide
  • Wallet label export
Risk Single point of failure: if one piece is lost or the executor makes a mistake, funds can be locked or swept incorrectly. Use for small amounts only.
Do this: Write a one-page instruction sheet today and store it where your executor can find it when needed.

2. DIY multisig

Small group
Requires wallet migration

A 2-of-3 or 3-of-5 multisig setup (Bitkey, Sparrow) splits control across multiple keys held by you, family members, or trusted contacts. One lost key does not lock the funds, and no single person can move coins alone.

What's required:
  • Migrate Wasabi funds to multisig wallet
  • Distribute keys to different people or locations
  • Document the quorum policy (which keys must co-sign)
  • Provide restore instructions for each key holder
Risk Setup complexity: requires understanding multisig wallets, secure key distribution, and coordination among multiple parties.
Do this: Research multisig wallets, test a small setup, then migrate your main holdings when confident.

3. Provider-assisted

Provider
Requires wallet migration

Services like Unchained or AnchorWatch offer assisted multisig where they hold one key and provide inheritance tooling. Your heirs follow a documented claim process, and the provider co-signs after verifying identity and waiting period.

What's required:
  • Migrate Wasabi funds to assisted multisig provider
  • Complete provider's inheritance setup flow
  • Designate beneficiaries within the provider's platform
  • Document access credentials and waiting periods
Risk Provider dependency: introduces counterparty risk, KYC data retention, and reliance on the provider's infrastructure staying online.
Do this: Compare assisted multisig providers, understand their custody models, and decide if convenience justifies the trade-offs.
Compatibility: what works with Wasabi

Compatibility: what works with Wasabi

Where the desktop app runs, which hardware it pairs with, and which standards it understands.

Desktop operating systems

  • Windows 10+
  • macOS 12+ (Apple Silicon & Intel)
  • Linux Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora

Hardware wallets via HWI

Verified
  • Coldcard
    USB or microSD via Hardware Wallet Interface
  • Trezor
    Model One and T support via HWI
  • Ledger
    Nano S/X supported; confirm addresses on-device
  • Generic HWI devices
    Requires latest HWI binaries and firmware

Connection types

Verified
  • Tor
    Enabled by default for every network call
  • Cleared TCP
    Can disable Tor for debugging; privacy decreases
  • Bitcoin Core RPC
    Point Wasabi at your own node for block filters
  • Electrum server
    Use your own Electrum endpoint over Tor

Bitcoin standards & keys

Standard Support Notes
BIP39 Yes 12 or 24-word seeds with optional passphrase
BIP32 Yes HD derivation with account structure stored in wallet file
BIP84 Yes Native SegWit (bc1) receive and change addresses
BIP86 Partial Taproot receive supported; CoinJoin still SegWit v0
PayJoin (BIP78) Yes Optional PayJoin send and receive integration
Show advanced
Descriptors
Yes — Wallet file stores output descriptors; export via JSON
PSBT
Yes — Used for hardware wallet signing and offline workflows
Derivation paths
Standard — m/84'/0'/0' for mainnet; testnet paths available
Output descriptors
No — Descriptors stay inside Wasabi; no UI export yet
Costs & ongoing obligations

Costs & ongoing obligations

The software is free and open-source. You pay only Bitcoin network mining fees when you send transactions.

One-time $0
Monthly $0
Per transaction Mining fees only (CoinJoin coordinator shut down June 2024)

What you pay once

  • Wasabi download $0
    Open-source MIT-licensed software
  • Optional hardware wallet $79-$200
    Coldcard, Trezor, Ledger, or similar
  • Backup materials $10-$100
    Steel plates, notebooks, or fireproof bags

What you pay ongoing

  • Bitcoin mining fees Dynamic
    Applies to every on-chain send
  • Tor bandwidth $0
    Your ISP's data plan covers the traffic
  • CoinJoin coordinator fee N/A
    zkSNACKs coordinator shut down June 1, 2024
Privacy & jurisdiction

Privacy & jurisdiction

What Wasabi collects & where it lives

No accounts Tor routing

Wasabi keeps everything client-side so using the wallet never requires sharing identity data.

Wallet creation, balances, and labels stay on your machine. Tor plus client-side block filters keep IP addresses and addresses away from coordinators or servers.

  • Stays on your device: Seed words, passphrase, labels, history, coin selection
  • Tor tunnel: All network calls are proxied unless you explicitly disable Tor
  • No coordinator dependency: zkSNACKs coordinator shut down June 2024; wallet continues as regular Bitcoin wallet
  • No accounts: Wasabi never asks for email, phone, or identity
What happened to CoinJoin?

The zkSNACKs coordinator closed June 1, 2024 ([blog post](https://blog.wasabiwallet.website/zksnacks-is-discontinuing-its-coinjoin-coordination-service-1st-of-june/)). Wasabi continues with Tor, coin control, and PayJoin. Community coordinators may still operate.

Jurisdiction: zkSNACKs Ltd. (Gibraltar)

Open-source

Wasabi is published by zkSNACKs Ltd., a Gibraltar-registered company subject to local laws but the wallet itself runs without accounts.

Legal requests can target the website, yet the wallet is open-source so you can compile it yourself and verify the code independently.

  • Provider: zkSNACKs Ltd., Gibraltar (EU-linked jurisdiction)
  • Can be compelled: Website analytics or support inquiries if retained
  • Cannot access: Your private keys, seed, labels, or balances
  • Option: Run Wasabi over Tor bridges or connect your own node for maximum privacy
Does the coordinator shutdown affect my coins?

No. Your keys stay local. The coordinator only facilitated CoinJoin mixing, which was optional. You can still receive, send, and store bitcoin normally.

Your controls

Open code Client-side labels

You can audit every release, export data for bookkeeping, and decide which coordinators or nodes to trust.

Transparency plus user-configurable backends let you keep verification close to home.

  • Open-source: MIT-licensed codebase on GitHub with reproducible builds
  • Node choice: Point at your own Bitcoin Core or Electrum server
  • Label export: Save and encrypt your labels for audits or migrations
  • Coordinator choice: Connect to community or self-hosted coordinators
Can I audit releases?

Yes. Wasabi publishes deterministic build hashes and PGP signatures for every release so you can reproduce the binaries yourself.

Quick answers

Does Wasabi require KYC?

No. You download the app, create a wallet, and start using it with no personal data.

Can anyone freeze my Wasabi funds?

No. Keys stay on your device and the wallet is non-custodial, so only you control spending.

Where are labels stored?

Inside your encrypted wallet file. Export them manually if you need off-device backups.

Key terms
WabiSabi
Wasabi's flexible CoinJoin protocol that allows variable output amounts.
Compact block filters
Client-side block summaries (BIP158) that let wallets sync privately.
PayJoin
An interactive transaction where sender and receiver both contribute inputs to break heuristics.
Release & Trust

Release & Trust

Security & compliance

Deterministic builds, client-side filters, and Tor-by-default networking

Security guide
Development activity

Active development on GitHub with frequent releases and audits

Release notes
Privacy policy

No-account model with dedicated privacy notice

Privacy policy
Terms & conditions

Terms of service published by zkSNACKs Ltd.

Terms of service
Profile

Profile

Founder(s)
Balint Harmat, Adam Ficsor & Gergely Hajdu
Balint Harmat, Adam Ficsor & Gergely Hajdu
Company description

Wasabi Wallet is a privacy-focused, open-source, non‑custodial Bitcoin desktop wallet launched by zkSNACKs. It routes all traffic through Tor and uses compact blockchain filters, keeping your IP and b...

Wasabi Wallet is a privacy-focused, open-source, non‑custodial Bitcoin desktop wallet launched by zkSNACKs. It routes all traffic through Tor and uses compact blockchain filters, keeping your IP and balance private. With the 2024 sunset of the zkSNACKs CoinJoin coordinator, Wasabi now focuses on powerful manual coin control, PayJoin, and hardware wallet integration for privacy management.

Founded in
2018
Website
wasabiwallet.io

FAQs

Can I still use CoinJoin with Wasabi Wallet in 2025?

The zkSNACKs coordinator shut down June 1, 2024, so the default CoinJoin option is no longer available. Wasabi continues as a privacy-focused wallet with Tor, coin control, and PayJoin. Community-run coordinators may emerge.

Does Wasabi Wallet always run over Tor?

The desktop app launches with Tor routing and client-side block filters so your IP address and balances never hit a third-party server. You can toggle Tor off for troubleshooting, but privacy drops immediately when you do.

Can Wasabi Wallet connect to hardware wallets or my own node?

Wasabi talks to the open-source Hardware Wallet Interface and can point at Bitcoin Core or Electrum, which keeps signing on dedicated devices while your node answers address lookups. Turn those integrations on if you want end-to-end self verification.

What fees should I expect when using Wasabi Wallet?

The software is free, every transaction still pays the standard mining fee, and CoinJoin rounds add roughly a 0.3% coordinator fee for inputs above 0.01 BTC while smaller inputs only pay miners. You can delay mixes or spend unmixed coins when privacy is less critical.

What do I need to recover a Wasabi Wallet?

Wasabi encrypts your wallet with the 12-word seed plus the optional passphrase, so you must restore with both pieces to regain control. Store them separately and test a dry-run recovery before you trust the wallet with real savings.

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