Wasabi Wallet
Wasabi Wallet is a privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet that implements CoinJoin using the "WabiSabi" protocol.
Other CoinJoin Implementations
Wasabi is one of several CoinJoin implementations. Others include Whirlpool (5-party, fixed denominations) and JoinMarket (decentralized, maker-taker model). Each has different trade-offs in terms of privacy, convenience, and censorship resistance.
What Is Wasabi Wallet?
Wasabi Wallet is an open-source, non-custodial Bitcoin wallet for desktop that focuses on privacy through CoinJoin. It uses the WabiSabi protocol, which allows for flexible anonymity sets.
WabiSabi Protocol
WabiSabi is a CoinJoin protocol that allows participants to mix any amount of bitcoin, not just fixed denominations. This makes it more flexible than Whirlpool but requires more careful analysis to understand the privacy gained.
WabiSabi Transaction Example
The image below shows a WabiSabi (Wasabi Wallet) CoinJoin transaction as visualised by am-i.exposed. Notice the large number of inputs and various sets of variable denomination outputs that distinguish WabiSabi from fixed-denomination CoinJoins like Whirlpool.
Wasabi Fees
Wasabi charges a coordination fee for each CoinJoin round that is determined by the coordinator you choose.
Wasabi Best Practices
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Do Multiple Rounds
Like any CoinJoin, multiple rounds increase your anonymity set exponentially.
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Use Tor
Wasabi has built-in Tor support. Enable it in settings.
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Never Spend Post-Mix Together
Each post-mix output should be spent independently to preserve privacy.
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Verify the Download
Always verify the Wasabi download signature before installing.
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Label Your UTXOs
Keep track of premix and post-mix UTXOs. Never mix them.
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Be Patient
Wasabi rounds can take time. Let the network find enough participants.
Common Wasabi Mistakes
Same as any CoinJoin - never spend post-mix outputs together.
Without Tor, your IP is exposed to the coordinator and other participants.
One round gives limited privacy. Do multiple rounds for meaningful privacy.
Post-Mix Management
Like Whirlpool, Wasabi produces post-mix UTXOs that require careful handling. The principles are the same across all CoinJoin implementations:
- Never spend post-mix UTXOs together - Each output should be spent independently
- Never mix post-mix with premix - Keep mixed and unmixed coins separate
- Label your UTXOs - Track which coins have been through CoinJoins
- Avoid consolidation - Combining post-mix UTXOs reduces your anonymity set
For detailed guidance on managing post-mix coins and handling doxxic change, see the Whirlpool page which covers these topics in depth.
Post-Mix Best Practices
The post-mix management principles from Whirlpool apply equally to Wasabi. Never merge mixed and unmixed UTXOs, prefer spending from post-mix directly, don't reuse addresses, and be cautious with script types and consolidations.