Sparrow Wallet: what it is and how to use it
Sparrow is an open-source desktop Bitcoin wallet for Windows, macOS and Linux. It offers coin control, labels and built-in Tor, and connects to hardware wallets without exposing the keys.
Overview
| Category | Software wallets |
|---|---|
| KYC required | No |
| Open source | Yes |
| Price | Free (Oct 2026) |
| Official site | sparrowwallet.com |
How do you use Sparrow Wallet?
- Type sparrowwallet.com by hand and download only from the official site; verify the file's signature.
- Connect to your own Bitcoin Core if you have one, or to an Electrum server, and turn on Tor.
- Connect your hardware wallet by USB or card/QR, or create a new wallet and write the seed down by hand.
- Test recovery with a small amount before moving significant sums.
- Label each coin as you receive it, with no real name or personal data, and export the labels as a backup.
- When spending, pick coins manually (coin control) so you do not mix sources with and without KYC.
What are the limits and cautions?
- Sparrow removed Whirlpool in version 1.9.0 (2024); it no longer does CoinJoin on its own.
- Silent Payments support arrived in stages (sending from 2.3.0, receiving from 2.5.0, per a third-party comparison); confirm in the release notes before relying on it.
Other Software wallets tools
How to Buy Bitcoin Anonymously — See the book on Amazon