Wallet Review
Electrum Wallet Overview
A Bitcoin wallet built for speed, self-custody, and advanced use
Our partners
Why Users Choose Electrum
Bitcoin-Only Focus
Electrum is built exclusively for Bitcoin. It does not support other cryptocurrencies, keeping the wallet focused on BTC storage, sending, and receiving.
SPV Verification
Electrum uses Simplified Payment Verification (SPV), allowing users to verify Bitcoin transactions without downloading the full blockchain, making it faster and lighter than full-node wallets.
Cold Storage Support
Electrum supports cold storage workflows, including watch-only wallets and integration with hardware wallets, enabling users to keep private keys offline while managing transactions.
Watch-Only Wallets
Users can create watch-only wallets in Electrum to monitor Bitcoin addresses and balances without exposing private keys to an internet-connected device.
Multisig Support
Electrum supports multi-signature wallet configurations, requiring multiple keys to authorize a transaction, which can be useful for shared control or additional security layers.
Self-Custody
Electrum is a non-custodial wallet. Users hold their own private keys and seed phrase. Electrum does not hold user funds or require account registration.
Electrum Wallet Overview
Electrum is a self-custody Bitcoin wallet first released in 2011, making it one of the longest-running Bitcoin wallet projects. It is available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and as a mobile app for Android. Electrum is focused exclusively on Bitcoin and is designed around a lightweight SPV model, which allows transaction verification without requiring the user to download the full Bitcoin blockchain.
Because Electrum is non-custodial, users are responsible for securely storing their own seed phrase. The wallet does not hold user funds or require account registration. Electrum supports advanced Bitcoin features including cold storage workflows, watch-only wallets, hardware wallet integration, and multi-signature configurations, making it a practical option for users who want greater control over their Bitcoin security model.
Users who hold Bitcoin and want to move assets into other cryptocurrencies without using a centralized exchange may find non-custodial swap services a useful complement to their Bitcoin wallet. Baltex provides direct swap routes across multiple asset pairs without requiring account creation or holding assets in custody.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electrum
Does Electrum support cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin?
No. Electrum is a Bitcoin-only wallet. It does not support Ethereum, altcoins, or other cryptocurrencies. Users who need to manage multiple assets would require a separate wallet for non-Bitcoin holdings.
What is SPV and why does Electrum use it?
SPV stands for Simplified Payment Verification. It allows Electrum to verify Bitcoin transactions by checking block headers rather than downloading the full blockchain, making the wallet faster to set up and lighter to run than a full Bitcoin node.
Can I use Electrum with a hardware wallet?
Yes. Electrum supports hardware wallet integration, allowing users to keep their private keys on an offline device while using Electrum to construct and broadcast transactions.
Is Electrum suitable for beginners?
Electrum is functional for any Bitcoin user, though its interface and feature set are oriented toward users comfortable with Bitcoin concepts such as seed phrases, transaction fees, and wallet types. It offers more advanced controls than many consumer-focused wallets.
Need to exchange Bitcoin for another asset?
Baltex provides non-custodial swap routes across multiple asset pairs including Bitcoin, without requiring account registration or holding assets in custody.
