Fork is a free, open-source wallet for Ergo (ERG), aimed at people who want one familiar tool for holding coins, tokens and NFTs on several operating systems. The project describes it as one of the first multi-platform wallets for the Ergo network, and it lists Windows among its targets alongside macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Before you install anything, note that the code has not been updated since May 2022, so treat this as an older program and take extra care with your keys.
The wallet can generate new wallets or restore existing ones in a way that works with Yoroi, the Ergo node and the Ergo Android app. It also offers read-only viewing, cold wallet device support and an embedded dApp section. Below you will find what the program does, how to install it, how it compares with other Ergo tools, and whether it suits your needs.
What Is Fork and Who Is It For?
Fork is an Ergo wallet for people who want to manage ERG, tokens and NFTs on their own keys rather than through a centralized exchange account. In practice, the typical user is someone who already understands the basics of holding crypto and wants a wallet that works across a desktop and a phone without switching tools.
The project's stated purpose is to be an early multi-platform wallet for the Ergo network. That positioning matters because many Ergo tools were built for one operating system or one interface. A wallet that spans Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices gives you a single mental model, which can reduce mistakes when you move between devices.
It is less suited to users who need a dozen blockchains in one app. Its documented focus is Ergo, so if your portfolio is spread across many networks, a multi-currency product may be more practical. Fork rewards people who are comfortable reading addresses, checking transactions and keeping recovery phrases safe.
How Tokens and NFTs Appear in an Ergo Wallet
On Ergo, tokens are assets that live alongside ERG and can be issued by users. A token balance is recorded on the blockchain just like a coin balance, but the wallet has to know how to read its metadata so the name and details appear correctly. This is why token naming standards matter in day-to-day use.
The EIP-04 standard is one such convention. When a wallet displays token names according to it, you can see what an asset is called rather than a raw identifier. This is helpful when a wallet holds many small balances, some of which may be test tokens or items you never meant to keep.
NFTs on Ergo are handled in a similar way: they are tokens with specific properties that identify them as unique items. A wallet that displays them lets you see collectibles or certificates next to your fungible holdings. Before you send any token, check its name and amount in the transaction preview, because a small mistake in a token transfer is just as permanent as one in ERG.
Real-World Scenarios for a Multi-Platform Ergo Wallet
Consider a common setup: you keep most of your ERG on a desktop wallet connected to a cold wallet device, and you use a phone wallet for quick balance checks when you are away from your computer. Because both apps belong to the same project, you can keep a consistent view of your addresses while using the device that suits each task.
Another scenario involves read-only access. If you want an accountant or a partner to see your balances for bookkeeping, a read-only wallet lets them view transaction history without any ability to move funds. This separation is a simple way to share information without sharing control.
A third scenario is experimentation. Someone curious about how tokens work can issue a small test token through the built-in issuance tool, send it between their own addresses and watch how it appears in the interface. Keep test amounts small and treat any experiment as a learning exercise rather than a source of income.
Key features
Wallet Creation and Restoration
Mnemonic Passphrase Support
Read-Only Wallets
Cold Wallet Device Support
Token and NFT Display
Sending Tokens
Transaction Preview Before Signing
Embedded dApps and Token Issuance
Desktop and Mobile Apps
Supported coins
Ergo (ERG) is the network named in the project's documentation. Tokens and NFTs issued on Ergo can be displayed and sent from the wallet, so its practical scope is the Ergo ecosystem. If you hold assets on other blockchains, you will need a separate wallet for them.
How to install Fork on Windows
- 1
Get the Installer
Download the Windows installer only from the official website or from the GitHub Releases page of the project at github.com/lazypinkpatrick/minotaur-wallet. Avoid mirror sites, file-sharing links and search-engine ads, even if they look like the same program. Look for the release tagged v1.0.4 or the newest build listed there, and confirm that a Windows file is actually provided.
- 2
Verify the File
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the same page where you found it. You can calculate it in PowerShell with the Get-FileHash command. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the source before running anything.
- 3
Run the Installer
Double-click the verified file and follow the setup prompts. Choose a folder you control, and avoid running the installer as an administrator unless the setup clearly requires it. Keep your antivirus active during installation, and only make an exception if you understand exactly which file is being excluded.
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First Launch and Wallet Setup
When the program opens, choose whether to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Write down the recovery phrase on paper and store it offline. If you plan to use a mnemonic passphrase, set it now and record it separately from the phrase, then test restoring the wallet with a small amount before trusting it with larger holdings.
How to use Fork
Using Fork is straightforward once the wallet is set up, but a careful routine keeps your funds safer. Start with a small test transfer so you can see how addresses, fees and token names appear in the interface.
- Open the wallet and unlock it with your password, then confirm that the address and balance match your records.
- Use the read-only mode when you only need to check holdings, so you are not exposed to signing requests during routine checks.
- To send ERG, enter the recipient address carefully, copy it from a source you trust, and specify the amount.
- To send a token, select the token in the asset list, enter the amount, and confirm the token name shown in the preview.
- Review the generated transaction before signing, checking recipient, amount and any token details.
- If you use a cold wallet device, approve the signing request on the device itself and compare the on-screen details.
- After the transaction is broadcast, note the transaction identifier and check its status in the history view.
- To explore embedded dApps, open the dApp section and review what each one asks you to approve before you confirm anything.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be inspected on GitHub
- Lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS among its platforms
- Restores wallets in a way designed to work with Yoroi and the Ergo node and app
- Supports read-only wallets for monitoring without spending rights
- Works with cold wallet devices for keys kept off the computer
- Shows token names according to EIP-04 and displays NFTs
- Displays the generated transaction before you sign
- No code updates since May 2022, so fixes and new features are unlikely
- Windows build status should be confirmed on the releases page before installing
- Documented scope is Ergo only, so it is not a multi-currency wallet
- Built-in dApps are limited to the two named applications
- As an older codebase, it may not keep pace with later changes on the Ergo network
Is Fork safe?
Fork has not received code updates since May 2022, which makes it an older program with no recent security fixes. Treat it with caution, and consider whether a newer, maintained Ergo wallet suits you better. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before installing. Never enter your recovery phrase or mnemonic passphrase on a third-party website, in a chat message or in an email, even if the page looks like the wallet. Store your recovery phrase offline, make a backup, and test restoring it with a small amount first. Check the latest version on the official website before you install anything.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/lazypinkpatrick/minotaur-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
Fork is focused on Ergo and aims to work across desktop and mobile, with compatibility for Yoroi and the Ergo ecosystem. Satergo is also a desktop wallet for Ergo, and its built-in node is a distinguishing feature if you want more control over how the wallet connects to the network. Ergowallet Desktop is another Ergo-focused option to compare against. Coinomi and Exodus are multi-currency desktop wallets, so they suit people with assets across many networks, while Fork is narrower by design. Fork's strength is its breadth of platforms and its token and dApp features within Ergo, but its lack of recent updates is a serious drawback. Compare the current state of each project before choosing.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.0.4
- Last update
- 31 May 2022
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/lazypinkpatrick/minotaur-wallet
Frequently asked questions
Fork can be used with care, but it has not received code updates since May 2022, so it carries more risk than actively maintained software. Download it only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and never share your recovery phrase with anyone or enter it on third-party sites. Many experienced users keep only small amounts in older wallets.
The code has not been updated since May 2022. That means there have been no recent code changes, so bug fixes and compatibility work for newer Ergo developments are not guaranteed. Before relying on it, check the releases page for any newer activity and consider whether a more actively developed Ergo wallet fits your plans better.
The documented focus of Fork is Ergo (ERG). The wallet also displays and sends Ergo tokens and NFTs. If you need to hold assets on other blockchains, you will need a separate wallet for each network or a multi-currency product designed for that purpose.
Yes, the project states that restoring wallets is designed to be compatible with Yoroi, as well as with the Ergo node and the Ergo Android app. Before moving a larger balance, restore the wallet and confirm that the addresses and balances match what you expect. Use a small test transfer to verify everything works as intended.
Yes, the wallet supports cold wallet devices, which keep private keys on separate hardware. Signing takes place on the device, which helps protect keys from malware on your computer. Confirm that your chosen device works with the current version of the wallet, and review every transaction on the device screen before approving it.
Yes, the program is listed as free and open source. You can download and install it without paying the developers. Keep in mind that blockchain transactions involve network fees paid to the Ergo network, which are separate from the cost of the wallet itself.
Yes, Fork supports read-only wallets. You can monitor balances, tokens and transaction history without being able to sign transfers. This is helpful for sharing a view with an accountant or checking holdings from a device you do not fully trust.
Verdict
Fork suits technically comfortable users who want a free, open-source Ergo wallet across several platforms, with read-only and cold wallet options. Its token display, transaction preview and embedded dApps are practical strengths. However, the lack of code updates since May 2022 is a serious concern, so it is better for small balances, experimentation or learning than for storing large sums. If you want an actively maintained Ergo option, compare it with the alternatives before deciding.