BitPay Wallet, also known as Copay, is a free, open-source wallet for people who want to hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and XRP on their own Windows computer. It suits individuals who want direct control over their keys, and small groups that need to manage shared funds together.
Before you install anything, note the project status. The maintainers state that this repository and wallet versions 12 and earlier are no longer actively maintained, and they point users to a newer BitPay app as the successor. The latest release is v12.12.2 and the most recent code update is dated February 3, 2026, but a recent update does not replace ongoing support. Read the rest of this page with that in mind.
What Is a Non-Custodial Wallet?
A non-custodial wallet gives you control of the private keys that unlock your coins. A custodial service, such as an exchange account, holds those keys for you, so you rely on that company's security and solvency. Non-custodial software reverses that arrangement. Your keys are generated and stored on your device, and nobody else can move your funds without them.
That trade-off has real consequences. You gain independence from a third party, but you also take on responsibility. If you lose your seed phrase, no support team can restore access. If someone obtains it, they can empty the wallet. BitPay Wallet follows the non-custodial model, keeping private keys on the local device rather than in the cloud.
When you evaluate any non-custodial app, ask three questions. Where are the keys stored? Who writes and maintains the code? How do you back up and recover the wallet? The answers tell you more about the real risk than any marketing page.
Who Is BitPay Wallet For?
BitPay Wallet suits people who already know they want to self-custody a few major coins and are comfortable managing backups. A typical user might hold Bitcoin for long-term savings, keep some Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens alongside it, and prefer one desktop app to juggling several browser extensions.
It also fits small groups. A family pooling money for shared expenses, or a club of friends funding a common purse, can use a multisignature wallet so that no single member can spend alone. The spending proposal workflow gives everyone a clear record of what was requested and approved.
It is less suited to people who want the newest features or active vendor support for unusual networks. Because development on this line has been wound down, weigh whether the successor app or a different wallet better matches your plans. If you only send and receive one coin, a simpler single-asset wallet may be easier to manage.
How Hierarchical Deterministic Wallets Create Addresses
Early Bitcoin wallets generated a new random key for many addresses and needed frequent backups. Hierarchical deterministic, or HD, wallets solved that problem. A single seed generates a tree of keys, so one backup can recover every address the wallet creates. BIP32 defines how that tree is built.
In daily use you rarely need to think about the tree. The wallet creates a fresh receiving address for each payment, which improves privacy because a single address is not reused publicly. The seed is written as human-readable words defined by BIP39, and that mnemonic phrase is what you should write down and store offline.
Understanding this model also clarifies recovery. A correct phrase restores the same keys on a compatible wallet. A phrase with a typo or a missing word cannot reconstruct them. Verifying your backup right after creating a wallet takes only a few minutes and can prevent a permanent loss later.
Key features
Four Major Coins in One App
Multisignature Wallets for Shared Funds
Spending Proposals for Group Payments
Local Private Key Storage
HD Addresses and Backups
Testnet Wallets for Practice
Payment Requests and Verification
Paper Wallet Sweep
Supported coins
The wallet supports Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and XRP, and its documentation mentions ERC-20 tokens on the Ethereum network. Testnet wallets are available for every supported coin. For hardware-based security, the project lists Ledger and Trezor devices among compatible hardware wallets. Send a small test amount first whenever you try a new asset.
How to install BitPay Wallet on Windows
- 1
Get the installer from the official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/bitpay/wallet/releases. The Windows build or installer is published there. Avoid mirror sites and search-ad links, which can host altered files.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, verify it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run, and you should download it again from the official source.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the Windows installer and follow the prompts. Choose an install folder on a drive you control, and keep the default options unless you have a specific reason to change them. Close the installer once it finishes.
-
Create or restore a wallet and back up the seed
On first launch, create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Write the BIP39 mnemonic phrase on paper and store it offline. Test recovery with a small amount before moving significant funds into the wallet.
How to use BitPay Wallet
Using BitPay Wallet day to day follows a short routine once the wallet exists. The steps below cover a basic setup for one personal wallet, which you can extend to shared wallets later.
- Open the app and choose the coin you want to use, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, or create a new wallet for that network.
- Confirm your recovery phrase is written down and stored offline before you receive any funds.
- To receive funds, copy a receiving address and share it with the sender. Check that the first and last few characters match what the app shows.
- To send funds, enter the recipient address, the amount and the network fee. Review the summary carefully, because blockchain transactions cannot be reversed.
- For a shared wallet, create a spending proposal, let co-signers review it, and wait until the required number of approvals is reached before the transaction is broadcast.
- If you are learning how sending and receiving work, practice first with a testnet wallet.
- Back up the wallet again after you add a new wallet or change your setup.
Pros & cons
- Free and open-source under the MIT license, so the code can be reviewed
- Private keys stay on your device rather than in the cloud
- Handles Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and XRP in one app
- Multisignature wallets and spending proposals suit shared funds
- Testnet wallets for every supported coin allow safe practice
- BIP39 backups and BIP38 paper wallet sweep cover common recovery paths
- No longer actively maintained, so security fixes may not arrive
- The project directs users to a newer BitPay app instead
- Fewer coins than broader multi-asset wallets
- Self-custody places the full burden of recovery on you
- Hardware wallet pairing needs careful setup and testing
Is BitPay Wallet safe?
BitPay Wallet is no longer actively maintained, and that matters more than any feature for a program that controls private keys. Use it only if you accept that bugs and security issues may not be patched. The project directs users to a newer BitPay app, so review that option before committing funds.
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature against the value published with the release. Never enter your seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in an email, and be wary of any support contact who asks for it. Keep your backup offline, and check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/bitpay/wallet. 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
Several similar programs are worth comparing. Cake Wallet describes itself as a non-custodial, private multi-currency wallet, making it a broader option if you need more coins than BitPay Wallet covers. Electron Cash is a lightweight Bitcoin Cash wallet, so it suits someone focused on BCH alone. Stack Wallet and Coin Wallet are also multi-currency options. BitPay Wallet stands out for multisignature shared wallets, spending proposals and BIP38 paper wallet sweep. If shared funds matter most and you accept the maintenance status, it is a strong fit. If you need active development or wider asset coverage, compare the others first.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v12.12.2
- Last update
- 3 Feb 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/bitpay/wallet
Frequently asked questions
No. The project states that this repository and wallet versions 12 and earlier are no longer actively maintained, and it points users to a newer BitPay app on GitHub. The latest release is v12.12.2 and the code was last updated in February 2026, but you should still treat this line as unmaintained software when deciding whether to hold funds in it.
It can be used safely only with careful habits. Download from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature, and keep your seed phrase offline. Because the wallet is no longer actively maintained, the security risk is higher than with actively supported wallets. Read the safety section before you decide.
The wallet supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and XRP, and its documentation mentions ERC-20 tokens. It also lets you create testnet wallets for every supported coin. Check that the asset you need is supported in the app before relying on it, and send a small test transaction first.
Yes, the wallet is free to download and use, and it is released under the MIT license. Free software still has costs in your own time and in responsibility for backups. Blockchain networks also charge transaction fees when you send coins, and those fees are separate from the app itself.
The project lists Ledger and Trezor among compatible hardware wallets. A hardware device keeps private keys off the computer, which reduces exposure to malware on your PC. Test the pairing process with a small amount before moving significant funds, and manage device firmware through the manufacturer's own tools.
Yes. Testnet wallets are available for all supported coins. Testnets use coins without real market value, so you can practice sending, receiving and backups without financial risk. Use a testnet wallet when learning a new workflow, and move to real funds only after you understand each step.
The newer BitPay app is the successor the project points to, and its source code is hosted at github.com/bitpay/bitpay-app. Because this older wallet is no longer actively maintained, that app is the logical place to compare features and support before you choose where to keep your funds.
Verdict
BitPay Wallet is a capable, free, open-source wallet for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and XRP, with useful features for shared spending. Its main weakness now is maintenance: the project no longer actively supports this line and points to a newer app. For most readers in 2026, the sensible choice is to review the successor app or another actively maintained wallet before storing meaningful funds here. If you already use this wallet, make a verified backup and plan your migration.