GWallet: A Minimalistic Lightweight Cryptocurrency Wallet

Introduction

GWallet is a pragmatic lightweight cryptocurrency wallet designed for users who want to manage multiple major cryptocurrencies in a single, hassle-free application. Prioritizing convenience and security, GWallet offers a streamlined experience without compromising on essential features.

Core Principles

Convenience and Security Focus

1. Lightweight Design: Unlike full-node wallets (e.g., Bitcoin Core), GWallet doesn’t require downloading entire blockchains.

2. Multi-Currency Support: Unified UX for all supported cryptocurrencies, minimizing currency-specific complexities. For example:

   • No "change-addresses" for Bitcoin to align with Ethereum’s model.
   • Future plans include privacy enhancements like TumbleBit or Confidential Transactions.
3. Server Reuse: Leverages existing infrastructure (e.g., Electrum’s Stratum protocol) but lacks TLS support (privacy trade-off, no security risk).

Security Features

4. Desktop/Mobile Native: Avoids web-based vulnerabilities (e.g., phishing attacks targeting web wallets).

5. Cold-Storage Support:

   • Operates offline with JSON transaction import/export.
   • Safer than hardware wallets (air-gapped devices mitigate hardware vulnerabilities).
6. Brainwallet Seed System: Uses passphrases as seeds, eliminating backup hassles.

Development Philosophy

• Open-Source Commitment: Ensures transparency and security (unlike proprietary alternatives).
• Cross-Platform UI: Single codebase via Xamarin.Forms.

Roadmap: Upcoming Features

Priority List

1. Xamarin.Forms Frontends (in progress).
2. Ethereum State Channels: ETH/ETC support.
3. Raiden Network Integration.
4. Bitcoin/Litecoin Payment Channels.
5. Lightning Network: Upgrading to NBitcoin 4.0.0.12 for malleability protection.
6. Mac/Windows CI: Travis (Mac) & AppVeyor (Windows).
7. Packaging: Flatpak and Snap support.
8. Fee Customization: Adjustable transaction priorities.
9. Multi-Sig Support.
10. Bits as Default Unit: Replacing BTC (0.0000001 BTC = 1 bit).

Experimental Features

• MimbleWimble integration.
• Threshold signatures.
• Decentralized naming (BlockStack vs ENS).
• Atomic swaps or decentralized exchanges.

Developer Roadmap

• MedallionShell Integration: For Infra.fs scripts.
• NBitcoin Refactor: Transition to TransactionBuilder for Bitcoin.

Anti-Roadmap: Excluded Features

• Privacy Coins: No ZCash/Dash/Monero due to trust or technical concerns.
• Scam Coins: Ripple, Stellar, OneCoin.
• BCash: Avoids transaction malleability and lacks Layer2 scaling.

Installation Guide

System-Wide Install

./configure.sh --prefix=/usr
make
sudo make install

Run gwallet post-installation.

FAQ

Why choose GWallet over hardware wallets?

👉 Cold storage in GWallet offers air-gapped security without hardware vulnerabilities.

Does GWallet support privacy coins?

No. Privacy features like MimbleWimble may be added, but ZCash/Dash are excluded.

How is GWallet more convenient?

👉 Multi-currency support and brainwallet seeds eliminate backup hassles.

Feedback & Support

Development can be accelerated through donations (details pending).