 Reviews about the project

Samourai Blog

Samourai Wallet Blog

<p>Software development in the cryptocurrency ecosystem often requires balancing innovation with the policies of major technology platforms. Mobile applications, especially those related to financial tools, must comply with the distribution rules of the marketplaces where they are published. Occasionally, these rules can affect the availability of certain features that users rely on for security and privacy.</p><p>A recent update introduced temporary changes to several advanced functions that were previously available within the wallet. These adjustments were necessary in order to comply with new platform requirements affecting mobile applications.</p><h2>Changes Introduced in the Latest Wallet Version</h2><p>The updated release includes the temporary removal of several optional security features that had been available for many years. These features were originally created to enhance user protection and give wallet owners more control over their devices.</p><p>The functions affected by this update include stealth mode, remote command functionality through SMS, and SIM switch protection. While these tools were useful for specific security scenarios, platform restrictions required them to be disabled in the version distributed through the official mobile store.</p><p>These changes were not introduced because of technical limitations, but rather because of evolving policies governing mobile applications and device permissions.</p><h2>Understanding Stealth Mode</h2><p>Stealth mode was designed to help users hide the presence of the wallet application on their device. In certain situations, users prefer to keep financial applications out of sight in order to reduce the risk of physical theft or unwanted attention.</p><p>When enabled, this feature allowed the wallet to become invisible in the standard list of applications. Access to the wallet could only be restored through a specific dial code or activation process.</p><p>Although this functionality improved personal security for some users, it relied on system behaviors that are increasingly restricted in modern mobile operating systems.</p><h2>Remote SMS Commands and Device Protection</h2><p>Another removed feature allowed users to send remote commands to their wallet using SMS messages. This capability was particularly helpful in situations where a device was lost or stolen.</p><p>With remote commands, users could trigger security actions from another phone. These actions included locking the wallet or wiping sensitive information stored on the device.</p><p>Such functionality provided an additional layer of protection for users concerned about unauthorized access. However, new policies regarding SMS permissions and remote device control have made it more difficult for applications to maintain these capabilities within official app marketplaces.</p><h2>SIM Switch Defense</h2><p>SIM switch protection was another advanced security measure. This feature monitored changes to the SIM card installed in a device and alerted the wallet owner if a suspicious change occurred.</p><p>SIM swap attacks are a known threat in the digital world. In these attacks, criminals attempt to transfer a victim’s phone number to a different SIM card in order to intercept messages or bypass authentication systems.</p><p>By monitoring SIM changes and notifying users, the wallet provided an early warning mechanism that could help prevent unauthorized access to digital accounts.</p><h2>Alternative Distribution and Future Plans</h2><p>Although these features were removed from the version distributed through the official mobile store, developers have explored alternative ways to make the full functionality available to users who require it.</p><p>Independent distribution methods and open-source application repositories allow software projects to provide versions of their applications without the same restrictions imposed by large mobile platforms.</p><p>This approach ensures that advanced privacy and security tools can continue to exist while still allowing a simplified version of the wallet to remain accessible through mainstream app stores.</p><h2>Maintaining Security Despite Platform Limitations</h2><p>Even with the temporary removal of certain features, maintaining strong security practices remains essential for all cryptocurrency users. Protecting recovery phrases, using strong device security, and keeping software updated are critical steps for safeguarding digital assets.</p><p>The evolving relationship between decentralized financial tools and centralized technology platforms continues to shape how cryptocurrency applications are distributed and maintained.</p><p>Developers and users alike must adapt to these changes while continuing to prioritize privacy, security, and financial independence in the digital economy.</p>

Temporarily Disabling Stealth Mode and Remote SMS Commands

<p>The global Bitcoin community continues to expand as more people search for financial systems that are open, decentralized, and independent from traditional institutions. With growing international interest in cryptocurrency, privacy-focused wallet technology plays an important role in helping users securely manage digital assets across borders.</p><p>This update welcomes new users from different regions who are exploring tools that allow them to participate in the Bitcoin network while maintaining control over their financial data.</p><h2>Growing Global Interest in Bitcoin</h2><p>Bitcoin adoption is no longer limited to a small group of early technology enthusiasts. Today, individuals from many countries use cryptocurrency for a wide variety of purposes including savings, payments, and financial independence.</p><p>For international users, access to decentralized financial infrastructure can provide an alternative to traditional systems that may be slow, expensive, or restrictive. A well-designed wallet allows anyone with a smartphone to interact with the Bitcoin network without relying on banks or centralized platforms.</p><p>This global accessibility is one of the defining features of cryptocurrency. People can send and receive value across borders without intermediaries, creating new opportunities for individuals and businesses worldwide.</p><h2>Why Privacy Matters in Digital Finance</h2><p>Although Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public blockchain, many users prefer to keep their financial activity private. Transparency helps secure the network, but it can also reveal patterns about spending behavior and wallet balances.</p><p>Privacy-focused wallet technology helps address this challenge by introducing tools that make blockchain analysis more difficult. When used correctly, these tools can reduce the ability of external observers to track transactions or connect them to a specific identity.</p><p>For users living in regions where financial surveillance or restrictions are common, maintaining a level of confidentiality can be especially important.</p><h2>Tools That Help Protect Transaction Data</h2><p>Modern Bitcoin wallets are designed with advanced features that support both security and privacy. These features can include improved address management, transaction coordination techniques, and network communication protections.</p><p>Such tools allow users to manage their funds in a way that reduces traceability while maintaining compatibility with the Bitcoin blockchain. By improving how transactions are structured and broadcasted, privacy-focused wallets help users retain greater control over their financial information.</p><p>These innovations continue to evolve as developers experiment with new approaches to strengthening user privacy within decentralized networks.</p><h2>Empowering Users Through Self-Custody</h2><p>Another key benefit of modern Bitcoin wallets is self-custody. This means users maintain control of their private keys rather than trusting third-party custodial services.</p><p>Self-custody aligns with the original philosophy of Bitcoin, where individuals act as their own bank and manage their funds directly. While this approach requires responsibility and careful security practices, it also removes reliance on centralized intermediaries.</p><p>For international users who may face restrictions in traditional financial systems, self-custody provides a powerful way to maintain independence and direct control over digital assets.</p><h2>Building a Global Privacy-Focused Community</h2><p>As the number of Bitcoin users continues to grow worldwide, education and community collaboration become increasingly important. Developers, researchers, and everyday users all contribute to the evolution of privacy tools and wallet technologies.</p><p>By welcoming new participants from different regions, the global Bitcoin ecosystem becomes stronger and more resilient. Shared knowledge and open discussion help improve both security practices and privacy solutions for everyone involved.</p><p>The continued growth of international users highlights the universal appeal of decentralized finance. With the right tools and understanding, people everywhere can participate in a financial system that values transparency, independence, and personal control.</p>

Welcome to New International Bitcoin Wallet Users

Features

Samourai Wallet Features

<p>A premium transaction that improves fungibility and frustrates Blockchain spies</p><h4>Thousands of legitimate transactions are flagged as suspicious every day</h4><p>Bitcoin Banks and Exchanges freeze funds and suspend users based on blacklists published by Blockchain spies.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/aml_report_8d2a0ee715.png" alt="Introducing Ricochet" srcset="https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/thumbnail_aml_report_8d2a0ee715.png 245w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/small_aml_report_8d2a0ee715.png 500w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/medium_aml_report_8d2a0ee715.png 750w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/large_aml_report_8d2a0ee715.png 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1000px"></figure><p><br><br>Blockchain spies look at the history of your coins around 5 hops deep. Your coins can be frozen for their past activity. Even if they weren't in your control.</p><h4>Ricochet adds 4 additional hops to a transaction</h4><p>By adding additional hops before the coins reach their final destination, the blockchain spies would need to look 10 hops backwards, increasing their costs and overheads.</p><h4>Not a silver bullet but a handy weapon</h4><p><span style="font-size:25.2px;">Ricochet doesn't solve the problem of blacklists but it does present a way to attack the way spies build black lists.</span></p><p>Hop 0 - The setup</p><p><span style="font-size:15px;">The wallet collects the needed inputs and calculates the total miners fee for the entire ricochet. 0.001 BTC is sent to Samourai as a fee for the ricochet send. In this transaction we are sending</span></p><p>Hop 1-4</p><p>Each hop transaction contains one input and one output</p><p>Final Destination</p><p>The final transaction containing the correct amount. One input and one output.<br><br><br><br><br><br>&nbsp;</p>

Introducing Ricochet

stealthily send and receive bitcoin with a publicly shareable code

<h2>Add a contact's payment code to send them bitcoin anonymously</h2><p>Find contacts with a public payment code&nbsp;<br>We've made it easier to find your contacts and friends who have a payment code with our public directory. Simply search for your contacts by email, twitter, facebook, or reddit and add their code to your wallet.</p><h2>Add public codes to your wallet</h2><p>A broadcast transaction will be sent to the blockchain that creates a unique 1-1 connection between both your wallet and the contact's wallet. This private connection allows you to deterministically generate bitcoin addresses for the contact that are only known to you both.</p><p><img src="https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/sendpaymentcode_81f12e892d.gif" alt="sendpaymentcode.gif" srcset="https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/thumbnail_sendpaymentcode_81f12e892d.gif 78w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/small_sendpaymentcode_81f12e892d.gif 251w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/medium_sendpaymentcode_81f12e892d.gif 377w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/large_sendpaymentcode_81f12e892d.gif 502w," sizes="100vw" width="502px"></p><h3>Simple private sending</h3><p>Once the broadcast transaction has one confirmation simply tap the contact to immediately and privately send Bitcoin directly to that wallet.</p><p><img src="https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/mypaymentcode_f6a3f051a9.png" alt="mypaymentcode" srcset="https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/thumbnail_mypaymentcode_f6a3f051a9.png 78w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/small_mypaymentcode_f6a3f051a9.png 251w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/medium_mypaymentcode_f6a3f051a9.png 377w,https://samouraiwallet.com/strapi/uploads/large_mypaymentcode_f6a3f051a9.png 502w," sizes="100vw" width="502px"></p><h4>Share your payment code publicly without privacy loss.</h4><p>Share your code</p><p><span style="font-size:15px;">Your payment code is unique to the wallet and never changes. You can publish and share your payment code publicly without a loss of privacy for you or the person who connects to your code.</span>&nbsp;<br><br>Seamlessly receive payments</p><p>When your payment code is added by another wallet you will be a one way connection is established with their wallet and your wallet. This private connection allows their wallet to privately send your wallet bitcoin at anytime. You will never need to manually communicate a bitcoin address with that wallet again.</p>

Introducing Public Payment Codes

Add a contact's payment code to send them bitcoin anonymously

Add public codes to your wallet

Simple private sending

Share your payment code publicly without privacy loss.