Difference between revisions of "Wallet"

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(Improving the intro to indicate more common use of the term "wallet" as software for managing keys instead of a file. This matches https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet)
(Undo removal of Bitcoin Wallet.)
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A Bitcoin '''wallet''' is a piece of software used to manage private keys and to make transactions on the Bitcoin network.  Wallets may offer additional features such as address labels, contacts, signing messages, etc.
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A Bitcoin '''wallet''' is a collection of private keys but may also refer to [[Clients|client software]] used to manage those keys and to make transactions on the Bitcoin network.
  
=== Bitcoin Qt ===
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This page covers various wallet formats in use.
  
The original Bitcoin [[Clients|client]] stores private key information in a file named '''wallet.dat''' acording to the so called <ref>[https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4448.0 Wallet import/export: "bitkeys" format]</ref>:
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=== [[Bitcoin Core]] ===
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The original Bitcoin client stores private key information in a file named '''wallet.dat''' following the so called [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4448.0 "bitkeys"] format
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It contains:
  
 
* keypairs for each of your [[address|addresses]]
 
* keypairs for each of your [[address|addresses]]
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* Since 0.3.21: information about the current best chain, to be able to rescan automatically when restoring from a backup.
 
* Since 0.3.21: information about the current best chain, to be able to rescan automatically when restoring from a backup.
  
The data file for the wallet is wallet.dat and is located in the [[data directory|Bitcoin data directory]].
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The wallet.dat file is located in the [[data directory|Bitcoin data directory]] and may be [[Wallet_encryption|encrypted with a password]].
  
It is intended that a wallet be used on only one installation of Bitcoin at a time.  Attempting to clone a wallet for use on multiple computers will result in "weird behavior"<ref>[http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=5324.msg77896#msg77896 Multiple instance of bitcoin with the same wallet]</ref>.
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It is intended that a wallet file be used on only one installation of Bitcoin at a time.  Attempting to clone a wallet file for use on multiple computers will result in "weird behavior"<ref>[http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=5324.msg77896#msg77896 Multiple instance of bitcoin with the same wallet]</ref>.
  
 
The format of this file is Berkeley DB.  Tools that can manipulate wallet files include [[pywallet]].
 
The format of this file is Berkeley DB.  Tools that can manipulate wallet files include [[pywallet]].
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=== [[Armory]] ===
 
=== [[Armory]] ===
  
The [[Armory]] client uses a custom [http://bitcoinarmory.com/developers/armory-wallet-files/ binary wallet format] and runs on top of Bitcoin-Core<ref>[https://www.bitcoinarmory.com Armory Bitcoin Wallet]</ref>.
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The Armory client uses a custom [[Deterministic wallet]] format [https://www.bitcoinarmory.com/wallet-format/ described here] and runs on top of [[Bitcoin Core]].
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=== [[Bitcoin Wallet]] ===
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[[File:bitcoin_wallet.png|192px]] Bitcoin Wallet uses the bitcoinj [http://code.google.com/p/protobuf/ protobuf] format for its wallet file. However, due to Android isolation of applications, it is impossible to access the wallet file as a non-root user.
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=== [[Blockchain.info#Wallet|Blockchain.info]] ===
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Blockchain.info offers a [[Browser-based_wallet#Hybrid_e-wallets|hybrid eWallet]] called "My Wallet".  It use a plain text [https://blockchain.info/wallet/wallet-format JSON wallet format]. Private keys Keys are stored in base58.
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=== [[Denarium.com]] ===
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Denarium is Physical Bitcoin coin manufacturer. Denarium produces easy, handy and secure wallets in a coin form. The private key is stored under a security seal without password protection. Denarium also offers a trustless multisignature coins, which eliminates the need to trust the manufacturer.
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=== [[Ledger Wallet]] ===
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Ledger Wallet manufactures various hardware wallets.
  
=== Blockchain.info ===
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=== [[Multibit]] ===
  
Blockchain.info use a plain text JSON wallet format documented [https://blockchain.info/wallet/wallet-format here]. Private keys Keys are stored in base58.
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Multibit HD (the current version) uses a [[BIP 0032]] (type 2) [[Deterministic wallet]] with the [https://www.multibit.org/en/help/hd0.1/files.html format described here]. The "Classic" version used the bitcoinj [https://github.com/google/protobuf protobuf] wallet file.
  
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=== [[Blocktrail]] ===
  
=== [[Cubits]] ===
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Blocktrail offers a [[BIP 0032]] (type 2) [[Deterministic wallet]] and for added security also implements [[Multisignature]] wallet technology.
  
Cubits.com has both cold and hot wallet, with all user's funds stored securely in the cold wallet.
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=== [[TREZOR]] ===
  
=== Multibit ===
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TREZOR is an isolated hardware environment for offline transaction signing and using a small display you can visually verify the transaction contents.
  
Multibit uses the bitcoinj [http://code.google.com/p/protobuf/ protobuf] wallet file.
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=== [https://opendime.com Opendime] ===
  
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Opendime is a small USB stick that allows you to spend Bitcoin like a dollar bill. Pass it along multiple times. Connect to any USB to check balance. Unseal anytime to spend online. Trust no one.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
  
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* [[Transaction fees]]
 
* [[Securing your wallet]]
 
* [[Securing your wallet]]
 
* [[EWallet]]
 
* [[EWallet]]
 
* [[Deterministic Wallet]]
 
* [[Deterministic Wallet]]
* [http://bitcoinx.io/wallets Finding a Wallet]
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* [https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet Choose your wallet]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />

Revision as of 16:24, 12 March 2018

A Bitcoin wallet is a collection of private keys but may also refer to client software used to manage those keys and to make transactions on the Bitcoin network.

This page covers various wallet formats in use.

Bitcoin Core

The original Bitcoin client stores private key information in a file named wallet.dat following the so called "bitkeys" format.

It contains:

  • keypairs for each of your addresses
  • transactions done from/to your addresses
  • user preferences
  • default key
  • reserve keys
  • accounts
  • a version number
  • Key pool
  • Since 0.3.21: information about the current best chain, to be able to rescan automatically when restoring from a backup.

The wallet.dat file is located in the Bitcoin data directory and may be encrypted with a password.

It is intended that a wallet file be used on only one installation of Bitcoin at a time. Attempting to clone a wallet file for use on multiple computers will result in "weird behavior"[1].

The format of this file is Berkeley DB. Tools that can manipulate wallet files include pywallet.

Armory

The Armory client uses a custom Deterministic wallet format described here and runs on top of Bitcoin Core.

Bitcoin Wallet

Bitcoin wallet.png Bitcoin Wallet uses the bitcoinj protobuf format for its wallet file. However, due to Android isolation of applications, it is impossible to access the wallet file as a non-root user.

Blockchain.info

Blockchain.info offers a hybrid eWallet called "My Wallet". It use a plain text JSON wallet format. Private keys Keys are stored in base58.

Denarium.com

Denarium is Physical Bitcoin coin manufacturer. Denarium produces easy, handy and secure wallets in a coin form. The private key is stored under a security seal without password protection. Denarium also offers a trustless multisignature coins, which eliminates the need to trust the manufacturer.

Ledger Wallet

Ledger Wallet manufactures various hardware wallets.

Multibit

Multibit HD (the current version) uses a BIP 0032 (type 2) Deterministic wallet with the format described here. The "Classic" version used the bitcoinj protobuf wallet file.

Blocktrail

Blocktrail offers a BIP 0032 (type 2) Deterministic wallet and for added security also implements Multisignature wallet technology.

TREZOR

TREZOR is an isolated hardware environment for offline transaction signing and using a small display you can visually verify the transaction contents.

Opendime

Opendime is a small USB stick that allows you to spend Bitcoin like a dollar bill. Pass it along multiple times. Connect to any USB to check balance. Unseal anytime to spend online. Trust no one.

See Also

References