Wasabi Wallet is an open-source, privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet designed to enhance the fungibility and privacy of Bitcoin transactions. Launched in 2018, Wasabi Wallet employs various privacy-preserving techniques, including CoinJoin, to provide users with a more confidential and secure way to manage their Bitcoin holdings. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, here's an overview of Wasabi Wallet:
1. Privacy Features: Wasabi Wallet prioritizes user privacy by implementing CoinJoin, a technique that combines multiple Bitcoin transactions into a single transaction. This process makes it more challenging to trace the origin and destination of specific Bitcoin inputs and outputs, thereby enhancing privacy.
2. CoinJoin Mixing: CoinJoin mixing is a collaborative process where multiple users combine their Bitcoin transactions into a single, larger transaction. This makes it difficult for external observers to link specific inputs to corresponding outputs, enhancing the privacy and fungibility of Bitcoin.
3. Chaumian CoinJoin: Wasabi Wallet uses a specific variant of CoinJoin known as Chaumian CoinJoin, which was proposed by cryptographer David Chaum. This variant employs blind signatures to ensure that individual inputs and outputs in a CoinJoin transaction are not linkable, further enhancing privacy.
4. Equal Output CoinJoin: Wasabi Wallet's CoinJoin implementation uses equal output amounts, making it more challenging for third parties to correlate inputs with outputs based on transaction amounts.
5. Integrated Tor Support: Wasabi Wallet integrates with the Tor network, allowing users to route their transactions through Tor for additional privacy. This helps obfuscate users' IP addresses and provides an extra layer of anonymity.
6. Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) Wallet: Wasabi Wallet utilizes an HD wallet structure, allowing users to generate an unlimited number of Bitcoin addresses from a single seed phrase. HD wallets are convenient for managing multiple transactions while maintaining a single backup.
7. User Interface: The wallet features a user-friendly interface designed to make the CoinJoin process and other privacy features accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. The interface displays the anonymization status of each coin in the wallet.
8. Open Source and Audited Code: Wasabi Wallet is open-source, allowing users and developers to review the code for transparency and security. The code has undergone audits by security experts to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
9. Non-Custodial: Wasabi Wallet follows a non-custodial model, meaning users have full control over their private keys. This aligns with the core principles of cryptocurrency ownership, as users are responsible for securing their funds.
10. Community and Development: Wasabi Wallet has an active community of users and contributors who engage in discussions, provide feedback, and contribute to the ongoing development of the wallet. Regular updates and improvements are released to address user needs and security considerations.
11. Limited UTXO Set: Wasabi Wallet aims to limit the Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) set, which refers to the collection of unspent Bitcoin outputs associated with a wallet. A more manageable UTXO set contributes to improved privacy and efficiency.
It's important to note that developments may have occurred since my last knowledge update, and users interested in using Wasabi Wallet should refer to the official website and documentation for the latest information, updates, and best practices for using the wallet to enhance their privacy and security while transacting with Bitcoin.