Liana is a free, open-source Bitcoin wallet for holders who want to plan what happens to their coins later, not only how they spend them today. It suits people who keep bitcoin for the long term and want a recovery path their family can use if something happens to them.
The core idea is simple. Like most Bitcoin wallets, Liana gives you one key that can spend the funds at any time. Unlike most wallets, it also lets you assign a second set of keys that become active only after the wallet has been inactive for a set period. Liana is written in Rust and its source code is publicly available on GitHub. Its latest listed build is v16.0rc1, a release candidate, so review the Releases page before you commit real funds.
What Is a Time-Locked Bitcoin Wallet?
A time-locked wallet adds a condition to certain coins: they can be spent only after a set period has passed. The Bitcoin network enforces that rule, so wallet software cannot simply ignore it. Most people first meet this idea through delayed withdrawals or escrow arrangements, but in a personal wallet it serves a different purpose.
In Liana, the delay is tied to inactivity. As long as the owner keeps using the wallet, the recovery keys stay locked. If the wallet sits untouched for the chosen period, the recovery path opens. This design makes the wallet useful for estate planning without moving your coins into a custodial service or a third-party account.
The trade-off is that timing matters. A recovery path that opens too early can weaken security, while one that opens too late can frustrate heirs. Understanding this balance before setup helps you choose sensible values.
Who Liana Is For
Liana fits a few specific situations better than a general-purpose wallet. The clearest is a long-term Bitcoin holder who worries that a sudden illness or accident could leave family unable to access the coins. Setting up the recovery path in advance means heirs do not have to guess passwords or depend on one person's memory.
Another fit is someone who wants to keep control of their own keys. Liana does not hold coins for you. You decide where the keys are stored and who receives them, which suits people who prefer not to rely on an exchange for inheritance planning.
Finally, the key structure can be shared across a household. Keys can be held by a spouse and children, so responsibility is spread out rather than resting on a single shared password. Users who need one quick wallet for several coins will likely find a different tool more practical.
Planning a Family Recovery Setup
A recovery design works only if the people involved understand it. Start by listing who will hold each key and where each key will be kept. Keys stored together defeat the purpose of splitting them, so spread them across locations that are secure and separate.
Write the wallet's structure down in plain language. Include the inactivity period, how heirs should contact each other, and what to do if a key holder dies or moves. Store this document separately from the keys themselves, and revisit the plan every few years or after a major life change.
Some owners consider testing the recovery path with a small amount before relying on it. Any test involves real steps and transaction fees, so mistakes can be costly. Reading the official documentation before attempting a test is the safer approach.
Key features
Owner key that spends anytime
Time-delayed family recovery
Third-party last resort
Supported coins
Liana is designed for Bitcoin (BTC), and its documentation covers Bitcoin only. If you hold other cryptocurrencies, you will need a separate wallet for them, while Liana can handle your bitcoin and its family recovery setup.
How to install Liana on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows build
Go to the official website or the Releases page of the GitHub repository at github.com/wizardsardine/liana. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and choose the Windows build from the release you want. The newest listed version is a release candidate, so check whether a stable build is available first.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the release page. If a signature is provided instead, verify it with the tools the project describes. Do not run a file whose checksum does not match.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the downloaded file and follow the setup prompts. Windows may show a warning for software from an unfamiliar publisher. Check the file source and checksum again rather than dismissing the warning without looking at it.
-
Create your first wallet
Launch Liana and create a new wallet. Write every backup and recovery detail on paper or store it in a secure offline location. Never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website, even one that looks like the official project.
How to use Liana
Liana's setup centers on keys and timing, so it helps to plan before you open the app. The steps below outline the general flow; exact screens depend on the release you install.
- Open Liana and create a new wallet, choosing the setup that includes a recovery path.
- Set the wallet manager key as your everyday spending key and back it up carefully.
- Assign the recovery keys to the people you have chosen, and confirm each one understands its role.
- Confirm the inactivity period built into the recovery path, keeping in mind how long heirs may need to wait.
- Generate a receiving address and send bitcoin to it from an exchange or another wallet.
- Check the balance and transaction history regularly, and update your backup records after every change.
After the first setup, most of your time goes to maintenance rather than configuration. Each new transaction changes the wallet state, so keep a short written log of changes. Anyone who needs to recover the coins can then follow the history without guessing.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with source code available on GitHub
- Built-in inheritance design using time-locked recovery keys
- Recovery keys can be held by different people, spreading responsibility
- Non-custodial: you keep control of your own keys
- Written in Rust, a language often chosen for security-sensitive software
- Supports Bitcoin only
- The latest listed build is a release candidate
- Recovery setup requires planning and coordination with heirs
- Heirs must work together, since two of three family keys are needed
- Less suited to users who need a broad multi-coin feature set
Is Liana safe?
Liana holds keys to real bitcoin, so treat the download and setup as a security task. Get the Windows build only from the official project channels: the official website or the Releases page of the GitHub repository. Compare the SHA-256 checksum or signature of the file with the value published alongside the release before running it. Never type a seed phrase or recovery key into a website, chat or app you did not download from a trusted source. The project is not deprecated and has recent code updates, but its latest listed build is a release candidate, so check the official website for the current stable version before installing. Keep backups of every key in more than one secure place.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/wizardsardine/liana. 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
Liana is narrower than many wallets in this catalog, and that is intentional. Electrum is a lightweight Bitcoin wallet that also covers Lightning, multisignature setups and hardware wallets, so it suits users who want a broad feature set. Sparrow Wallet targets advanced Bitcoin users with multisignature, coin control and hardware wallet support. Armory focuses on cold storage, and Wasabi Wallet centers on privacy through CoinJoin. Liana's main difference is its time-locked recovery path built around inheritance. If that is your priority, it stands apart. If you need several cryptocurrencies or heavy privacy tools, choose one of the other options.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v16.0rc1
- Last update
- 27 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/wizardsardine/liana
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Liana is free and open source, and its source code is available on GitHub, so anyone can review how it works. Being free does not change the responsibility you carry for your keys. Backups, key storage and the recovery plan remain your job, because no company holds the coins on your behalf.
It can be, when you download the build from an official source and verify the file before running it. Liana is non-custodial, so the security of your coins depends on how you store and back up your keys. Keep recovery keys in separate, secure places and review the safety section of this page before you start.
It lets you assign recovery keys that can move the coins only after the wallet has been inactive for a set period. In the example setup, any two keys held by a spouse and two children become usable after one year of inactivity, with a third-party key as a last resort. The owner's own key remains the fastest way to spend.
Liana is built for Bitcoin only. It does not handle other coins, so you will need a separate wallet for altcoins. The design centers on Bitcoin key management and recovery, which keeps the wallet focused on one network.
Liana is offered for Windows, Linux and macOS, and Windows builds are published with each release. Check the GitHub Releases page for the build that matches your system, and confirm the file's checksum before installing. The latest listed release is a release candidate, so it may not be the version you want for real funds.
In the example setup, the family recovery keys become usable after one year of inactivity. The exact period is set when you create the wallet, so check it before you finish setup. Heirs still need two of the three family keys, which means they must coordinate with each other.
It can be approachable for someone who already understands Bitcoin basics, such as seed phrases and receiving addresses. The recovery setup adds concepts like timelocks and key roles that newcomers should study first. Reading the documentation and practicing with a small amount is a sensible way to start.
Verdict
Liana is a sensible choice for Bitcoin holders who want to plan for inheritance without giving up control of their coins. Its time-locked recovery design addresses a problem most wallets ignore, and the code is open for review. It is less suited to people who need several cryptocurrencies, advanced privacy tools or a broad feature set. Test your recovery setup carefully before relying on it with real funds.