Electron Cash SLP is a free, open-source desktop client for Bitcoin Cash, built for users who want a lightweight wallet without running a full blockchain node. It is aimed at people who hold BCH and SLP tokens on Windows, macOS or Linux and want direct control of their keys.
The program is a fork of the Electron Cash project that adds support for the Simple Ledger Protocol, the token standard used on Bitcoin Cash. Because it connects to remote servers instead of downloading the full chain, it starts quickly and uses little disk space. Note that the latest code update dates from May 2023, so check the project's GitHub page for current activity before relying on it for large amounts.
What Is Electron Cash SLP and Who Is It For?
Electron Cash SLP sits between a full node and a web wallet. A full node downloads and validates every block, which takes significant time and storage. A light client like this one trusts remote servers for much of the data while still signing transactions locally with your own keys.
The typical user is someone who already owns Bitcoin Cash and wants a desktop wallet they control. It also suits users interested in SLP tokens, since the wallet shows token balances that plain BCH wallets sometimes hide. Developers exploring the Simple Ledger Protocol can also use the codebase as a reference.
It is less suited to people who want a polished, consumer-focused app with one-click support for dozens of assets. The interface reflects its Electrum heritage: functional and detailed, but with a learning curve.
How a Lightweight Bitcoin Cash Client Works
When you open the wallet, it connects to one or more Electrum-protocol servers. These servers answer queries about your addresses and transaction history. Your private keys never leave your computer, so the server only sees which addresses you ask about, not your signing authority.
This model relies on block header verification. The client checks that the transactions it receives are included in blocks with valid proof of work. It does not re-execute every historical transaction, which is why it is far faster than a full node but also means you depend more on the honesty of your chosen servers.
Understanding this trade-off helps you choose a setup. If privacy is a major concern, you can connect to a server you run yourself, which removes third-party visibility into your address lookups.
Practical Use Cases
A common scenario is a small business accepting BCH payments at a point of sale. The owner can generate fresh receiving addresses for each invoice, watch incoming payments in real time, and keep the private keys on a dedicated Windows machine.
Another scenario is a token collector who holds SLP assets. Because the wallet recognizes these tokens, the collector can check balances and send them without switching to a separate tool. Remember to test with a small amount before moving anything valuable.
A third group is developers and researchers. Since the source is in Python and under the MIT license, they can study how an SPV client handles address discovery, fee estimation and transaction construction, or adapt the code for internal tools.
Key Terms You Should Understand
A seed phrase is a list of words that can regenerate all the private keys in your wallet. Anyone who obtains it can take your funds, so write it on paper and store it offline. Never type it into a website or send it to support staff.
SPV, or Simple Payment Verification, describes how a light client checks transactions without downloading every block. The term appears throughout Bitcoin documentation and explains why such wallets are lighter but rely partly on external servers.
The Simple Ledger Protocol is a layer that lets users issue and transfer tokens on Bitcoin Cash by embedding data in transactions. Tokens are tracked by a separate indexing process, so a wallet must understand the protocol to display them correctly.
Why Users Choose Desktop Wallets Over Web Wallets
Desktop wallets keep keys on hardware you own, which reduces exposure to phishing sites and compromised online services. A web wallet is only as safe as the company running it, and that company can change terms or disappear.
The trade-off is responsibility. You must back up your wallet, keep your operating system updated, and guard against malware. A desktop program is also tied to one machine unless you restore from a backup file or seed phrase on another computer.
For many users with moderate balances, a desktop light client offers a good middle ground: more control than a custodial exchange account, with less technical burden than running a full node.
Key features
Lightweight SPV operation
SLP token support
Open-source MIT code
Cross-platform availability
Python-based architecture
Optional native cryptography
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) as the relevant networks. The wallet is focused on Bitcoin Cash and its SLP token layer.
How to install Electron Cash SLP on Windows
- 1
Download the program
Get the Windows build or installer from the official project page or from the GitHub Releases section of the simpleledger/electron-cash-slp repository. Avoid mirrors or links posted in chat rooms and forums.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published by the developers. If signatures are provided, verify them as well. A mismatch means the file may have been altered, so do not run it.
- 3
Run the installer
Launch the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Installing to your user directory avoids administrator permissions and is a sensible default for a wallet you run daily.
- 4
Create or restore a wallet
On first launch, create a new wallet and write down the seed phrase shown on screen. Store it offline in more than one safe place. If you already have a seed phrase, use the restore option instead.
-
Connect to servers
The wallet will select Electrum servers automatically. You can open the network settings to choose specific servers, including one you run yourself for greater privacy.
System requirements
- Windows with a standard desktop environment
- Enough free disk space for the program and its local wallet data, which remain small because the wallet does not store the full blockchain
- A stable internet connection to reach Electrum-protocol servers
How to use Electron Cash SLP
Once the wallet is installed and your seed phrase is safely stored, the daily workflow is straightforward. Start with a small test transaction to confirm everything works before moving significant amounts.
The basic steps are:
- Open the wallet and wait for it to sync with the server. The status bar shows connection progress.
- Go to the receive tab and copy a new address. Generate a fresh address for each payment to improve privacy.
- To send funds, open the send tab, paste the recipient address, enter the amount and review the fee before confirming.
- Enter your password when prompted to sign the transaction locally.
- Check the history tab to confirm the transaction appears and track its confirmation status.
- For SLP tokens, use the tokens view if available to see balances separately from BCH.
- Back up the wallet file and confirm your seed phrase is still recorded after any major change.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Light enough to run on modest hardware without a full blockchain download
- Supports SLP tokens alongside Bitcoin Cash
- Source code available for independent review
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with similar workflows
- Latest code update is from May 2023, so development activity should be checked before use
- Relies on third-party Electrum servers unless you run your own
- Interface is functional but less polished than mainstream consumer wallets
- Python and PyQt5 setup can be involved when installing from source
- Requires users to manage backups and security themselves
Is Electron Cash SLP safe?
Electron Cash SLP handles private keys and funds, so treat it with the same care as any wallet. Download only from the official GitHub repository or the project's published release page. Check the SHA-256 checksum or signature against the developers' published values before running the installer.
Never enter your seed phrase on a website, in an email, or in a chat with someone claiming to be support. Legitimate wallet software never asks for it outside the local program. Keep your operating system and antivirus up to date, and consider storing large balances on a hardware wallet that the client can connect to.
Because the last code update is from 2023, review the repository's issue tracker and recent commits before storing significant value. Check the latest version on the official website as well.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/simpleledger/electron-cash-slp. 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
Electron Cash SLP is one of several options for running a Bitcoin Cash client without a full node. Fulcrum is an Electrum-style server for BTC, BCH and LTC that you can run yourself, so it complements a light wallet rather than replacing it. Electrum Personal Server lets you serve your own wallet data to Electrum, which suits users who want more privacy than public servers provide.
Gocoin takes a different path: it is a full Bitcoin implementation written in Go, aimed at developers and operators who want complete validation. Compared with that, Electron Cash SLP trades some verification depth for speed and convenience. Choose the option that matches your technical comfort, storage capacity and privacy needs.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- 4.1.1
- Last update
- 23 May 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/simpleledger/electron-cash-slp
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Electron Cash SLP is listed as free and is released under the MIT open-source license. You can download it, use it, and inspect its code without paying the developers. Network fees for Bitcoin Cash transactions are separate and paid to miners.
Yes, the wallet is designed to handle the Simple Ledger Protocol, which is the token standard on Bitcoin Cash. It can show SLP token balances alongside your BCH holdings, so you do not need a separate tool to track them.
It can be used safely if you download it from the official GitHub Releases page, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and protect your seed phrase offline. Like any wallet, its security depends on your own habits and the condition of your computer.
No. As a lightweight client, it uses remote Electrum-protocol servers to look up your transactions instead of storing every block. This keeps disk usage low and startup times short compared with a full node.
No, the wallet needs a connection to Electrum servers to read balances and broadcast transactions. You can run your own server on a local network if you want a setup that avoids public servers.
A full node independently validates every block and transaction back to the genesis block, which requires significant storage and time. Electron Cash SLP verifies transactions more lightly and depends partly on servers, which makes it faster but less self-sufficient.
Install the wallet on a new computer and use the restore option with your seed phrase. Because the keys derive from that phrase, you can recover your funds even if the original machine is gone. This is why offline seed storage is essential.
It is workable for beginners who take time to learn the basics, but the interface is more technical than consumer apps. New users should practice with small amounts and read backup instructions carefully before depositing larger sums.
Verdict
Electron Cash SLP suits Windows users who want a free, open-source Bitcoin Cash wallet with SLP token support and a light footprint. It is a good fit for people comfortable managing their own backups and security, and for developers studying SPV clients. Users who want a simple interface, guaranteed ongoing support, or a fully self-validating node should look at other options. Check the repository activity before committing significant funds.