Type: Bitcoin privacy wallet
Access: Desktop application — connects via Tor automatically
Account required: No — non-custodial
Clearnet version: wasabiwallet.io
Supported crypto: Bitcoin only
Open source: Yes — fully audited
Last verified: March 2026
What Is Wasabi Wallet?
Wasabi Wallet is an open-source, non-custodial Bitcoin wallet built specifically for privacy. It connects to the Bitcoin network exclusively through Tor by default — your IP address is never visible to network nodes — and implements CoinJoin, a technique that combines multiple users’ transactions to make individual payments significantly harder to trace on the blockchain.
It is widely considered the gold standard for Bitcoin privacy among security researchers and privacy advocates. Unlike regular Bitcoin wallets that expose your transaction history to anyone who knows your address, Wasabi is specifically engineered to break the chain of traceability that makes Bitcoin pseudonymous rather than anonymous.
Onion Address
Clearnet version: https://wasabiwallet.io
Note: The .onion address above is for downloading Wasabi Wallet in censored environments. Wasabi itself connects to the Bitcoin network via Tor automatically after installation — you do not need to manually configure Tor routing.
How to Install Wasabi Wallet
- Download the installer from wasabiwallet.io or the .onion address above if the clearnet is blocked
- Verify the PGP signature before installing — Wasabi publishes signatures for all releases
- Install on Windows, Mac or Linux — all platforms supported
- Launch Wasabi — it connects to Bitcoin network via Tor automatically
- Generate a new wallet and write down your seed phrase on paper — store it offline
Critical: Your seed phrase is the only way to recover your wallet. Write it on paper, store it somewhere safe and never photograph it or store it digitally. Anyone with your seed phrase has full access to your funds.
How CoinJoin Works
Bitcoin transactions are permanently recorded on a public blockchain. Every transaction links an input address to an output address — creating a trail that chain analysis firms can follow from purchase to purchase. CoinJoin breaks this trail by combining multiple users’ transactions into one.
| Without CoinJoin | With CoinJoin |
|---|---|
| Alice sends 0.5 BTC to Bob — visible on blockchain | Alice, Carol and Dave combine transactions — observer sees one large transaction |
| Chain analyst can trace Alice’s funds forward and backward | Chain analyst cannot determine which input funded which output |
| Identity linked to KYC purchase follows all subsequent transactions | Link between KYC purchase and subsequent addresses is broken |
Wasabi coordinates CoinJoin rounds automatically. When you initiate a CoinJoin, Wasabi waits for enough other users to participate, combines all inputs into one transaction with equal-sized outputs and broadcasts it to the network. The equal output sizes are important — they prevent amount-based analysis from re-linking inputs to outputs.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tor routing | Automatic — all network traffic routed through Tor by default |
| CoinJoin | Trustless — Wasabi cannot steal funds during coordination |
| Non-custodial | You control your private keys — Wasabi never holds funds |
| Open source | Fully auditable code on GitHub |
| Hardware wallet support | Trezor and Coldcard supported for cold storage |
| Fee transparency | CoinJoin coordinator fee displayed before participation |
| Coin control | Manual UTXO management for advanced users |
Wasabi vs. Other Privacy Bitcoin Tools
| Tool | Method | Trustless? | Open Source? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasabi Wallet | CoinJoin | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Active |
| JoinMarket | CoinJoin | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Active |
| Monero | Ring signatures | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Active |
| Bitcoin mixers | Custodial mixing | ❌ No | ❌ Usually not | ⚠️ Most seized |
| Tornado Cash | Smart contract mixing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Sanctioned |
Wasabi Wallet’s Limitations
Bitcoin only. Wasabi does not support Monero, Ethereum or any other cryptocurrency. For Monero, use Feather Wallet. For multi-currency wallets, use Cake Wallet.
CoinJoin requires participants. CoinJoin rounds require a minimum number of participants to be effective. During periods of low network activity, rounds may take longer to complete. Wasabi 2.0 improved this with continuous CoinJoin that runs in the background automatically.
Some exchanges flag CoinJoined Bitcoin. Certain centralized exchanges have flagged Bitcoin that has passed through CoinJoin as suspicious and refused deposits or frozen accounts. If you plan to move CoinJoined Bitcoin to a KYC exchange, be aware this risk exists. Converting to Monero via atomic swap is a cleaner approach for users who need to exit the Bitcoin ecosystem entirely.
Coordinator fee. Wasabi charges a small coordinator fee for CoinJoin participation. The fee is displayed transparently before each round — you can review it before committing.
Best Practices for Wasabi Wallet Users
- ✅ Verify the PGP signature on every download — do not skip this step
- ✅ Write your seed phrase on paper — never photograph or type it into any device
- ✅ Use CoinJoin before sending — do not send directly from freshly received Bitcoin
- ✅ Enable Tor — it is on by default but verify it is active in settings
- ✅ Use coin control to avoid merging CoinJoined and non-CoinJoined UTXOs
- ✅ Keep only spending amounts in Wasabi — store larger holdings in cold storage
- ❌ Do not merge outputs from different CoinJoin rounds — this can undo privacy gains
- ❌ Do not use Wasabi on a device also used for KYC exchange accounts
Wasabi Wallet 2.0
Wasabi 2.0, released in 2022, significantly improved the CoinJoin process. The original version required users to manually initiate CoinJoin rounds. Version 2.0 introduced automatic background CoinJoin — the wallet continuously participates in CoinJoin rounds without user intervention, making privacy the default rather than an opt-in feature.
It also improved the coordinator model, reduced minimum CoinJoin amounts and improved the user interface for non-technical users. As of 2026, version 2.0 is the current stable release and is the recommended version for all users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CoinJoin legal?
CoinJoin itself is a privacy technique with no inherent illegality — it is a way of constructing Bitcoin transactions that reduces traceability. In most jurisdictions, using CoinJoin is not illegal. Some regulators have attempted to classify certain mixing services as money transmission businesses requiring licensing, but Wasabi’s trustless, non-custodial model is distinct from custodial mixing services. Consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction if you have specific concerns.
Is Wasabi better than just using Monero?
For most privacy use cases, Monero provides stronger privacy guarantees than Bitcoin with CoinJoin — Monero’s ring signatures, stealth addresses and RingCT obscure all transaction details by default without requiring active coordination. Wasabi is the better choice when you specifically need to use Bitcoin — for example, when a counterparty only accepts Bitcoin. For users with flexibility on which cryptocurrency to use, Monero via Feather Wallet is generally the stronger privacy option.
Can chain analysis firms trace CoinJoined Bitcoin?
Chain analysis firms including Chainalysis have publicly acknowledged that CoinJoin significantly increases the difficulty of tracing funds. It is not impossible — timing analysis, amount correlation and other heuristics can sometimes partially de-anonymize CoinJoin outputs. Wasabi 2.0’s continuous CoinJoin with equal output sizes addresses many of these weaknesses. For the highest level of Bitcoin privacy, combine multiple CoinJoin rounds before spending.
What happened to centralized Bitcoin mixers?
Most centralized Bitcoin mixing services have been seized by law enforcement or shut down. Chipmixer was seized in 2023. Using custodial mixers also requires trusting the operator not to steal your funds or log your transactions — the opposite of trustless. Wasabi’s CoinJoin is trustless by design — the coordinator cannot steal funds or link inputs to outputs.
Does Wasabi work on mobile?
No — Wasabi Wallet is a desktop application for Windows, Mac and Linux only. For mobile Bitcoin privacy, options are more limited. For mobile use, consider Cake Wallet with Monero rather than Bitcoin. For Bitcoin specifically on mobile, Electrum with manual Tor configuration provides some privacy but lacks CoinJoin functionality.