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Electrum

Electrum is a lightweight Bitcoin client and wallet, implemented in Python and released under the MIT License.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Electrum — OpenViST project profile in Wallets.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use Electrum when you want a lightweight Bitcoin wallet, or when you need its documented Python source workflow for development.

Who it is for

  • People seeking a lightweight client for using Bitcoin.
  • Python developers who want to install or work with the wallet from source.

Documented uses

  • Use Electrum as a Bitcoin wallet.
  • Install and start the application from its source repository.
  • Set up documented optional components such as the Qt interface, QR scanning or hardware-wallet support.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

  • The repository specifies Python 3.10 or later.
  • The Qt interface needs PyQt6; QR decoding and camera scanning require additional components.
  • libsecp256k1 is required for elliptic-curve operations, and the README also lists cryptography as a dependency.
  • Hardware-wallet support is covered in separate Linux documentation.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Set up Electrum from a cloned repository

Install the development version and launch Electrum using the repository's documented source workflow.

Before you start

  • Python 3.10 or later
  • Git
  • libsecp256k1 and the cryptography dependency
  • A C compiler and required build tools if compiling libsecp256k1 locally

Steps

  1. Clone the Electrum repository and change into its directory.

  2. Initialize the Git submodules.

  3. Install the development version and its dependencies with the documented editable pip install command.

  4. Start Electrum with the repository's run script.

Expected outcome

The documented workflow starts Electrum from the cloned source tree.

Guide limitations

  • The README gives separate operating-system instructions for Windows and macOS.
  • The Qt interface requires PyQt6; QR scanning and camera scanning have additional dependencies.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
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Active
Sources checked
13 October 2026
Original website title
spesmilo/electrum · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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