Cashu.me Wallet is a free, open-source wallet for Cashu, an ecash protocol built on Chaumian principles that lets you send and receive funds privately. It suits people who want payments that stay under their own control, from small everyday transfers to paying Lightning invoices, without a bank holding the balance. Because it is a progressive web app, you run it in a browser, and Windows users should also check the project's releases page for a native build.
This page explains what the wallet does, how to install it on Windows with care, how to back up your seed phrase, and where it fits among other tools in the crypto category. Cashu.me is released under the MIT license and listed as free. The last code update is dated October 20, 2026, so review the release notes before relying on it for larger amounts.
What Is Cashu and Why Ecash Works Differently
Cashu is an ecash protocol based on Chaumian blind signatures. In simple terms, a mint holds bitcoin on your behalf and issues tokens against it. The blinding step lets the mint sign a token without being able to connect the moment it issued that token to the moment you later redeem it, which is where the privacy comes from.
A token works like a bearer instrument, similar to a banknote. Whoever holds it can redeem it at the mint that issued it, so the wallet keeps the proofs that represent your balance on your own device. Cashu.me is the interface that creates, stores and spends those tokens, while the mints do the custody work.
The trade-off is trust. You rely on the mint to honor its promises, which is why the wallet lets you connect to several mints and compare them. Understanding this model early will help you decide how much to hold at each service.
Who Cashu.me Is For
Cashu.me is a good fit for people who already understand Lightning payments and want a free wallet with a privacy-focused design. A freelancer might use a Lightning address to get paid for small jobs and keep a modest balance across two mints. A developer might test ecash flows, payment requests or Nostr-based backups before building something similar.
It is less suited to someone who wants a simple savings account with no decisions to make. Because you choose mints, check their reputation and keep a seed phrase, the wallet asks for more attention than a typical app. Readers who are comfortable with that trade-off will find the feature set useful.
Families or groups splitting a bill can also use payment requests and token sharing, as long as everyone understands that tokens are spendable by whoever holds them.
Mints, Tokens and Key Terms to Know Before You Start
A mint is the service that holds the underlying bitcoin and issues ecash tokens. Different mints have different policies, reliability and operator reputations, so spreading balances across a few well-chosen mints is a common approach. The wallet's mint discovery and community ratings are there to support that comparison.
A proof is a piece of your balance that the wallet stores locally. Tokens are the shareable form of proofs. A seed phrase is the recovery phrase that regenerates your wallet keys, and it is different from a token: a token is spent once, while the seed phrase restores the ability to access your wallet.
NUT is shorthand for Cashu protocol specifications, such as NUT-15 for multinut payments. Knowing these terms makes the documentation easier to read and helps you understand why some features depend on a specific mint rather than on the wallet itself.
Key features
Send and receive ecash tokens
Lightning payments
On-chain deposits and withdrawals
Multi-mint connections
Multinut payments
Seed phrase backup and restore
Nostr integration
P2PK locking and payment requests
Private by design
Supported coins
The documentation lists Bitcoin (BTC), the Lightning Network and Nostr as the networks Cashu.me works with. On-chain bitcoin deposits and withdrawals depend on whether your chosen mint supports them, and Lightning features depend on the invoices, offers and mints you use. Nostr features cover encrypted backups, wallet connections and Lightning addresses.
How to install Cashu.me Wallet on Windows
- 1
Find the official source
Start from the project documentation at docs.cashu.space, which links to the official resources. The source code is hosted at github.com/cashubtc/cashu.me. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies offered by third-party download sites.
- 2
Look for a Windows build
Windows builds are listed on the GitHub Releases page, and the latest release listed is version 0.3. Choose the file that matches your version and system architecture. If no Windows file is available for the version you need, use the web version in a modern browser instead of searching for an unofficial installer.
- 3
Verify the file before running it
Calculate the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file and compare it with the value published with the release. If a signature is published, check it as well. Do not run the file if the checksum does not match, even if the download appeared to finish normally.
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Install, launch and create a wallet
Run the installer or extract the files, then open the wallet. When you create a new wallet, write down the 12-word seed phrase on paper and store it offline before you deposit anything. Add one or two mints, then test with a small amount so you understand how tokens and balances behave.
How to use Cashu.me Wallet
Cashu.me is easiest to learn with a small test amount. Once the wallet is installed and your seed phrase is safely stored, follow this basic sequence.
- Open the wallet and add a mint that you have researched, using the mint discovery and ratings to compare options.
- Deposit a small amount through a Lightning invoice so you can see how the balance appears at that mint.
- To send value, create a token for the amount you want to share and copy it or show it as an animated QR code for large tokens.
- To receive value, scan or paste a token from someone else and redeem it into your balance.
- To get paid over Lightning, create an invoice for the amount, or share a BOLT12 offer if the payer's wallet supports it.
- To pay an invoice that is larger than any single mint balance, use multinut payments so that funds from several mints are combined.
- Check your balances and backups regularly, and keep the seed phrase up to date in your offline records.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and released under the MIT license with public source code
- Supports Lightning invoices, BOLT12 offers and token sharing in one interface
- Multi-mint support and multinut payments reduce the need to move funds manually
- Seed phrase restore and encrypted Nostr backups add recovery options
- Listed platforms include Android, iOS, Docker and web or extension versions
- Windows support is listed as likely rather than fully confirmed, so check releases first
- Your safety depends on the mints you choose, which adds a trust decision
- On-chain features vary by mint, so the options can differ between services
- New users need time to learn how mints, tokens and seed phrases fit together
Is Cashu.me Wallet safe?
Cashu.me holds value you can spend, so treat it like any wallet that handles money. Download the program only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and confirm the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file. Never enter your seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat message, or in an app that asks for it unexpectedly. Store the phrase offline and keep separate records of your mint choices. Because the project is open source, its code can be reviewed, but most users rely on the maintainers and the community for that. Mints carry their own risks, so start with small amounts. Before moving significant funds, check the latest release, currently version 0.3, on the official website.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/cashubtc/cashu.me. 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
Compared with Atomicdex Desktop, which combines a wallet with a non-custodial decentralized exchange, Cashu.me is narrower and more focused. It centers on Cashu tokens, mints and Lightning payments rather than trading between coins. Dumplings is in a different category altogether, since it analyzes CoinJoin transactions instead of holding funds for you. TheSuperiorCoin presents itself as a standalone digital currency, while Cashu.me is a wallet for an ecash protocol that runs on top of bitcoin and Lightning. Choose Cashu.me if you want a lightweight tool for private ecash and Lightning payments, and choose a trading-oriented app if exchanging assets matters more to you.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- 0.3
- Last update
- 20 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/cashubtc/cashu.me
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the program is listed as free and is released under the MIT license. Using Lightning payments or mints can involve fees set by those services, so read each mint's terms before you deposit funds or move balances between them.
Windows support is listed as likely rather than fully confirmed, since builds are referenced on the project's releases page. If no Windows file is available for the version you want, use the web version in a modern browser instead. Check the releases page for the current status before installing.
It can be used carefully. Download only from the official website or GitHub, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and store your seed phrase offline. Start with small amounts while you learn how mints behave, because the safety of your balance also depends on the mint that issued your tokens.
A Cashu token is a bearer instrument that represents value held at a mint. Whoever holds it can redeem it, so it works much like cash. Share tokens only with people you trust, and redeem incoming tokens promptly into your wallet balance.
Use the restore option and enter your 12-word seed phrase. The wallet rebuilds its keys deterministically, but you should still know which mints you used. Tokens that were never redeemed or saved may not come back, so keep your records up to date.
Yes, it pays BOLT11 invoices and also supports BOLT12 offers. Payments come from balances held at your mints, so you need enough ecash at a mint whose path can reach the payee. Multinut payments can combine several mints when no single balance is large enough.
A mint is a service that holds bitcoin and issues ecash tokens against it. Cashu.me lets you connect to multiple mints and compare them through community ratings and audit insights. Choosing mints carefully is one of the most important decisions you will make when using the wallet.
Verdict
Cashu.me Wallet suits people who already understand Lightning and want a free, privacy-focused wallet for ecash with a choice of mints. It rewards careful users who back up their seed phrase, compare mints and test with small amounts. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a fully hands-off account or a confirmed native Windows installer. If those points match your needs, it is a practical tool for private payments and experimentation.