Blockstream Green is a free, open-source wallet for Bitcoin and the Liquid Network, aimed at people who want to store, send and receive bitcoin without handing control of their funds to a third party. It is a non-custodial wallet, which means you hold the keys yourself. The same codebase runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, so a single app can cover a desktop and a phone.
The program suits users who want a straightforward Bitcoin wallet with an emphasis on self-custody and a clean interface, rather than a tool packed with advanced trading features. Because the source code is published under the GPL-3.0 license, anyone can inspect how it handles keys and transactions. The project's status and last code update should be checked on the official website before you rely on it for significant amounts.
What Is a Non-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet?
A non-custodial wallet gives you direct control over the private keys that unlock your bitcoin. With a custodial service, such as many exchange accounts, the provider holds those keys for you. With a non-custodial wallet, the keys are generated and stored on your device.
This difference matters in practice. If you control the keys, no one can freeze your balance or reverse a transaction on your behalf. The trade-off is responsibility: if you lose your recovery phrase and your device, there is usually no customer support team that can restore access.
Who Is Blockstream Green For?
The wallet fits several types of users. Someone holding bitcoin for the long term may want a desktop app that is easy to back up and secure. A user who already has a phone and a computer can use the same wallet on both, keeping their funds accessible without switching tools.
It is also a reasonable choice for people who want to try the Liquid Network alongside Bitcoin. Newcomers who find command-line wallets intimidating may appreciate a graphical interface with guided setup.
How Liquid and Bitcoin Relate in the Wallet
Bitcoin is the base layer where most transactions are settled. Liquid is a sidechain that is pegged to bitcoin, meaning users can move value between the two systems. Liquid is designed for faster transfers and for confidential transactions, where amounts and asset types can be hidden from outside observers.
In a wallet that supports both, the practical benefit is that you can manage on-chain Bitcoin and Liquid balances from one place, rather than running separate applications for each.
Practical Use Cases for a Desktop Bitcoin Wallet
A desktop wallet is useful when you want to manage larger balances from a machine you control. Many people use one for receiving payments from clients, paying invoices, or periodically moving funds out of a mobile wallet into a more secure setup.
Another common scenario is pairing a software wallet with a hardware signing device. The software prepares the transaction and displays the details, while the device confirms it with a key that never leaves the hardware. Check the official documentation for which hardware devices are supported.
Key features
Non-custodial design
Bitcoin and Liquid support
Cross-platform apps
Open-source code
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) as the primary supported asset. The wallet also works with the Liquid Network, which is a Bitcoin sidechain, so you can handle Liquid-based assets alongside bitcoin.
How to install Blockstream Green on Windows
- 1
Download from the official source
Go to the official website at blockstream.com/green or the Releases page of the project's GitHub repository. Download only from these locations. Avoid links shared in forums, chats or advertisements, because counterfeit installers are a common way to steal wallet funds.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded installer with the value published on the official release page. On Windows you can run a command such as certutil -hashfile followed by the file name in PowerShell or Command Prompt. If the checksums do not match, do not run the file. If a signature is provided, verify that as well.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the verified installer and follow the setup prompts. Choose an installation folder you are comfortable with. Accept the license terms only after reading them, and keep the default options unless you have a specific reason to change them.
-
Create or restore a wallet
When you first launch the app, you can create a new wallet or restore an existing one. A new wallet produces a recovery phrase. Write it down on paper, store it offline, and never type it into a website or send it to anyone.
System requirements
- A 64-bit version of Windows that is still supported by Microsoft
- Enough free disk space for the application and its data
- An internet connection for syncing with the Bitcoin network
How to use Blockstream Green
Using the wallet follows a simple pattern: set it up securely, fund it, and then send or receive as needed. Start by making sure your recovery phrase is written down and stored offline before you deposit any bitcoin.
Here is a typical workflow:
- Launch the app and create a new wallet, or restore one from an existing recovery phrase.
- Wait for the wallet to sync with the Bitcoin network before checking your balance.
- To receive funds, open the receive screen, copy the address or show the QR code, and share it with the sender.
- To send funds, enter the recipient address, the amount, and an appropriate network fee, then review every detail before confirming.
- Check the transaction in the history view, and keep a record of the transaction ID for your own reference.
- If you use a hardware device, connect it and confirm the transaction on the device screen, comparing the address and amount with what the software shows.
Pros & cons
- Non-custodial: you hold your own keys
- Supports both Bitcoin and the Liquid Network
- Available on desktop and mobile platforms
- Open-source code published under GPL-3.0
- Free to use with no account required
- Only Bitcoin is listed as a primary supported asset in the documentation
- Losing your recovery phrase means losing access to your funds
- Less suited to users who want advanced trading or DeFi features
- Requires careful personal security habits
Is Blockstream Green safe?
Blockstream Green handles private keys and real money, so treat every step with care. Download the software only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Before running the installer, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature against the value published by the developers. A mismatch is a clear sign that the file has been altered.
Never enter your recovery phrase on a third-party website, in a chat message, or in any form that asks you to 'verify' your wallet. Legitimate software does not need your phrase to function beyond the initial restore. Antivirus tools occasionally flag wallet software, so review any warning carefully rather than disabling protection altogether.
Check the project's status and last code update on the official site before relying on the wallet for large amounts. Keeping backups in more than one safe offline location reduces the risk of losing access.
- Official source only. Download from blockstream.com/green. 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
Blockstream Green sits in the middle of the desktop Bitcoin wallet field. Compared with Electrum, which offers a wide range of advanced features such as Lightning support and multisignature setups, Green focuses on a cleaner, more guided experience with Liquid support built in. Sparrow Wallet is aimed at more experienced users who want fine-grained coin control and detailed transaction tools, while Green is easier to pick up for newcomers.
Armory takes a different approach, centered on offline cold storage and a more technical workflow. Wasabi Wallet emphasizes privacy through CoinJoin, which is a different priority from Green's focus on self-custody and multi-network access. If you need a wallet for multiple coins beyond Bitcoin, Cake Wallet or Stack Wallet may be more relevant. Choose based on which features matter most to you.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Latest version
- release_3.6.0
- Last update
- 21 Sept 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Official site
- blockstream.com/green
- Source code
- github.com/Blockstream/green_qt
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Blockstream Green is listed as free. You download the software at no cost and do not need an account to create a wallet. Network transaction fees are separate and paid to Bitcoin miners or the Liquid Network when you send funds, so check the fee shown before each transaction.
The wallet is non-custodial and open source, which are important safety features. Its safety depends largely on your own habits: download only from the official source, verify the checksum, and keep your recovery phrase offline. Never share it with anyone or enter it on a website.
No. Blockstream Green is a non-custodial wallet, so the keys are stored on your device and the company does not control your funds. This also means that if you lose your recovery phrase and device, the company generally cannot restore your access for you.
The software is listed as supporting Windows. Download the installer from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, verify its checksum, and run it like any other desktop application. Check the release notes for the current Windows build details.
Yes. The wallet supports the Liquid Network alongside Bitcoin, allowing you to manage both within one interface. Liquid is a Bitcoin sidechain designed for faster transfers and confidential transactions.
If you lose the recovery phrase and no longer have access to the device, the wallet usually cannot recover the funds. This is why you should write the phrase on paper, store it in a secure location, and consider keeping a second copy. Prevention is the only reliable protection.
Both are non-custodial Bitcoin wallets, but Electrum offers more advanced features such as Lightning support and detailed multisignature options. Blockstream Green is more focused on a guided experience and Liquid Network support, which can suit users who want simplicity.
Verdict
Blockstream Green is a sensible choice for people who want a free, open-source, non-custodial wallet for Bitcoin and the Liquid Network, with apps across desktop and mobile. It rewards careful users who back up their recovery phrase and verify downloads. Beginners who value a clear interface will likely find it approachable, while advanced traders and privacy-focused users may prefer tools built around those specific needs.