ASGARDEX is a free, open-source desktop wallet and decentralized exchange for THORChain, aimed at people who want to swap and hold assets from their own computer. It is built with Electron and JavaScript/TypeScript and is available as a Windows build or installer. Before you go further, know that this version is outdated: the project has moved to a new GitHub repository, and the last code update in this codebase came on October 10, 2023.
That date matters. Software that handles keys and swaps needs regular updates, and an unmaintained release may fall behind network changes. This page explains what the program does, how to install it carefully, and which alternatives to consider. If you are looking for the current project, the ASGARDEX Desktop listing covers its successor.
What Is ASGARDEX and Who Is It For?
ASGARDEX is a desktop application for people who already use THORChain and want a local tool for holding and exchanging its assets. It suits users who prefer self-custody, meaning they hold their own keys rather than leaving funds in an exchange account. Traders who like to see their transactions inside a native app may find that appealing.
It is less suited to people who need a maintained product today. Because the project has moved, bug fixes and network updates are more likely to appear in its successor. Newcomers to crypto should understand basic concepts such as seed phrases and transaction fees before they connect any wallet.
If you want a single desktop tool focused on THORChain and you accept responsibility for your own security, this category of software fits. If you want the simplest possible experience with a support team behind it, a hosted service may suit you better.
How a THORChain Wallet and DEX Works
A decentralized exchange lets users swap tokens directly from their own wallets rather than depositing funds with a company. THORChain is designed for cross-chain swaps, which means a trade can move value between different blockchains. Liquidity providers commit assets to pools, and swap prices are shaped by the pool balances rather than by a traditional order book.
In a non-custodial wallet, private keys are generated and stored on your device or derived from a seed phrase you keep. The application signs transactions locally and then broadcasts them to the network. The network never needs your seed phrase, but anyone who obtains it can control the funds, so backups must stay offline and private.
Fees come in two forms: network transaction fees and the swap cost built into the pool price. Slippage is the gap between the expected and executed price when a pool moves during your trade. Checking the quoted rate before you confirm is a simple habit that prevents many surprises.
Real-World Use Cases for a Desktop DEX Wallet
One common scenario is a holder who wants to rebalance a THORChain position without sending funds to an exchange. They connect their wallet, review the quoted rate, and confirm a swap that settles on-chain. The record stays in their own transaction history.
Another scenario is learning. Someone curious about how liquidity pools work can use a small test amount to watch how price, slippage and fees behave. Starting with a small balance is far safer than moving a large sum on the first attempt.
Developers and researchers also use open-source wallets as reference material. Reading how a desktop app builds transactions and manages keys can clarify what cross-chain protocols expect from client software. Running the code yourself is different from trusting its current security status, so treat it as study material unless you have reviewed it thoroughly.
Key features
Wallet and exchange in one app
Open-source Electron codebase
Supported coins
ASGARDEX is built around THORChain, so its wallet and swap functions center on the assets that network supports. Open the asset list inside the app before planning a trade, and confirm that the tokens you want to swap appear there.
How to install ASGARDEX (Electron) on Windows
- 1
Get the installer from the right place
Download the Windows build only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. The GitHub page linked from the project points to the new repository, so start there and look for the Releases section. Avoid links from search ads, forums or file mirrors.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page. If the project also provides a signature, verify it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Run the installer
Double-click the installer and follow the prompts. Choose an install folder you control and avoid running the file with administrator rights unless the installer clearly requires them.
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Check the version
The latest listed version is v1.19.2-alpha, which is an alpha release. After launch, confirm that the version matches the one you downloaded and that the checksum step passed.
How to use ASGARDEX (Electron)
Using the program follows a short sequence. Set up your wallet carefully before you move any funds, and test the process with a small amount.
- Launch ASGARDEX and create a new wallet or import an existing one.
- Write your seed phrase on paper and store it offline, away from your computer and phone.
- Send a small test amount of a supported asset to the wallet address shown in the app.
- Open the swap screen and select the asset you are sending and the asset you want to receive.
- Review the quoted rate, network fee and slippage before you confirm.
- Sign the transaction in the app and wait for the network to confirm it.
- Check the transaction in a block explorer and keep a record for your own accounting.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and open source, so the code can be reviewed
- Windows build or installer available
- Combines a wallet and a DEX focused on THORChain
- Private keys stay on your own device
- The project has moved, and this codebase has had no updates since October 2023
- The latest release is labeled alpha
- Focused on a single network rather than many chains
- Ongoing development happens in a different repository
Is ASGARDEX (Electron) safe?
ASGARDEX handles private keys and transactions, so treat it with the same care as any wallet. The project has moved to a new repository and the last code update was in October 2023, which means this version is no longer maintained and known issues may remain unpatched. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, never from search ads or mirror sites. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer. Never enter your seed phrase on third-party websites, in support chats or in any app that asks for it unexpectedly. Before installing, check the latest version on the official website and consider moving to the maintained successor.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/thorchain/asgardex-electron. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
ASGARDEX occupies a narrow niche: a desktop wallet and DEX built around THORChain. ASGARDEX Desktop is the successor from the same project, so it is the natural first comparison for anyone who wants the current version. Bisq is a peer-to-peer exchange for Bitcoin, which makes it a different tool for a different network. Komodo DeFi Framework is an engine for developers building atomic swap applications, not an end-user wallet. AtomicDEX API is listed as an archived project, so it is better suited to reference than to daily use. Choose based on the network you want to trade and whether you need a desktop app or a developer library.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.19.2-alpha
- Last update
- 10 Oct 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/thorchain/asgardex-electron
Frequently asked questions
No, not in this form. The project has moved to a new GitHub repository, and the last code update in this codebase was on October 10, 2023. Readers looking for ongoing development should follow the successor project instead of relying on this version.
It can be used with care, but this older version carries more risk than a maintained product. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and never share your seed phrase with anyone or any site. Test with a small amount first.
ASGARDEX is a desktop wallet and decentralized exchange for THORChain. It lets you hold your own keys and swap supported assets directly from your computer. Because it is non-custodial, you are responsible for your own backups and security settings.
Yes, a Windows build or installer is available for the program. Verify the file before running it and confirm that the version you install matches the release page. The latest listed version is v1.19.2-alpha, so expect alpha-level stability.
Yes, the program is free and open source. No purchase is required to download or use it. Because the code is public, anyone can read it, but reading the code does not replace your own security checks before you trust it with funds.
The most direct replacement is ASGARDEX Desktop, the project's successor. Bisq and Komodo DeFi Framework are also worth knowing about, but they serve different needs. Compare the networks each tool supports and whether you need an end-user app before choosing.
Verdict
ASGARDEX is a free, open-source wallet and DEX for THORChain, but this version is no longer the place to start. The project has moved and its last code update came in October 2023. It may suit developers and curious users who want to study the code of a THORChain desktop client. Most readers should look at the successor project first and then decide whether a desktop wallet fits their workflow.