What is Wasabi Wallet?
Wasabi Wallet is an open-source, non-custodial, privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet for Desktop. It routes all traffic through Tor by default and uses a technique called CoinJoin to combine your transactions with others, making it nearly impossible for surveillance firms to track your money.
Why use it?
If you buy Bitcoin from an exchange (KYC), they know you own it. Before spending it on sensitive goods or services, you should run it through Wasabi CoinJoin to regain your privacy.
Setup Guide
1 Step 1: Download & Verify
Security is paramount. Only download from the official website.
Download
Go to wasabiwallet.io. Download the installer for Windows (`.msi`), macOS (`.dmg`), or Linux (`.deb`).
Verify (PGP)
It is highly recommended to verify the PGP signature of the installer using the zkSNACKs public key to ensure the file hasn't been tampered with.
2 Step 2: Generate Wallet & Passphrase
Launch Wasabi and click "Add Wallet" -> "Create a new wallet".
- Name your wallet: Give it a unique name.
- Recovery Words: Wasabi will show you 12 words. Write them down on paper.
- Passphrase (Crucial): You will be asked to enter a password/passphrase.
WARNING: In Wasabi, this password acts as a "13th seed word". If you forget this password, your funds are lost forever. The 12 words alone are NOT enough to recover the wallet.
3 Step 3: Receiving Bitcoin
Before you can mix, you need to fund the wallet.
- Click Receive.
- Labeling: Wasabi forces you to label who the address is for (e.g., "From Coinbase"). This helps you manage your "coin control" and privacy later.
- Copy the address and send Bitcoin to it.
4 Step 4: Automatic CoinJoin
This is the magic of Wasabi 2.0.
Once your funds arrive, Wasabi will automatically start looking for a CoinJoin round. You don't need to do anything manually.
1. Look for the "Play" button (Music Box) icon.
2. Wait until your privacy progress bar reaches 100%.
3. Once 100%, your coins are anonymized and ready to be spent privately.
Where to Spend Mixed BTC
Once your Bitcoin is mixed via Wasabi, you can safely spend it. (Note: Most markets prefer Monero, but mixed BTC is acceptable).
Additional Resources
Official documentation for deep diving:
Conclusion
You have successfully installed Wasabi Wallet. By utilizing its CoinJoin features, you have taken a major step in reclaiming your financial privacy on the Bitcoin network. Remember: Always keep your 12 words and passphrase secure.
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