Nutstash Wallet is a free, open-source desktop wallet for Cashu, an ecash protocol built on Bitcoin. It is aimed at people who want to hold Cashu tokens on a Windows PC and are comfortable with a small, community-run project. Before going further, know that its maintainers have marked the project as unmaintained, so it no longer receives active development.
The program is written in JavaScript and TypeScript and packaged with Tauri, a framework for building lightweight native desktop apps from web technologies. The latest release is 2.2.0, and its source code is public on GitHub, so anyone can read it, build it or report problems. Because a wallet holds real value, an unmaintained one calls for extra caution. This page explains what it does, how to install it carefully and which alternatives to consider.
What Is Cashu and Why Wallets Matter
Cashu is an ecash protocol that runs on top of Bitcoin. A mint issues tokens that represent value it holds, and the blinding process is designed so the mint can sign tokens without linking them to the person who received them. Tokens work like bearer instruments: whoever holds the token can spend it.
That design puts the wallet in an important role. It stores your tokens, sends them to others and keeps track of which mints you use. Because the mint is a trusted party in the system, a wallet cannot remove that trust, only manage it well.
Who a Cashu Wallet Like Nutstash Suits
A Cashu wallet fits people who want quick, low-friction payments in a single protocol rather than a broad portfolio of assets. A common scenario is someone who wants to send small amounts to friends or try ecash before committing more funds.
Users who study wallet design can also benefit. The source code is open, so developers can see how token storage, mint connections and backups are handled. Anyone who only wants to store large sums long term should look at more actively maintained options and keep balances modest while learning how the system works.
Key Terms: Mints, Tokens and Recovery
A mint is the service that issues and redeems Cashu tokens. Choosing a mint is the most important decision you make, because its reliability and honesty determine whether your tokens remain redeemable. Spreading funds across more than one mint can reduce the impact of a single failure.
A token is the string of data that represents value you can send. A recovery phrase, often called a seed phrase, lets you restore the wallet on another device if the original is lost. Treat it as the master key to your funds and keep a copy offline.
Key features
Cashu Token Wallet
Free and Open Source
Native Windows Build
How to install Nutstash Wallet on Windows
- 1
Find the Official Download
Start from the project's GitHub Releases page or its official website. Download only from the official website or the GitHub repository, not from mirror sites or links in advertisements.
- 2
Verify the File
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, verify it too. Do not run a file whose checksum does not match.
- 3
Run the Installer
Launch the Windows build or installer and follow the on-screen prompts. If Windows SmartScreen warns about an unknown publisher, return to the official source and check the release again rather than ignoring the warning.
-
Create or Restore Your Wallet
On first launch, create a new wallet or restore one from an existing recovery phrase. Write any new phrase on paper, store it offline and test your backup before moving significant balances.
How to use Nutstash Wallet
Using Nutstash is straightforward once the wallet is set up, but a few habits matter with ecash.
- Open the wallet and confirm your backup is saved before adding funds.
- Add a mint you trust, and read about its operator before depositing anything.
- Receive tokens from a mint and check that your balance updates as expected.
- Send tokens by copying the token string and sharing it through a private channel.
- Keep the token string secret, since anyone holding it can spend it.
- Back up the wallet again after significant transactions and periodically review which mints you still use.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with public code on GitHub
- Built for Cashu, a privacy-oriented ecash protocol
- Available as a Windows build or installer
- Focused on one protocol rather than dozens of assets
- Officially unmaintained, so bug fixes and compatibility updates are unlikely
- Relies on mints you select, whose availability and honesty matter
- Limited to Cashu rather than a broad range of coins
- Less suitable for beginners who want active community support
Is Nutstash Wallet safe?
Nutstash Wallet handles keys and value, so treat safety as the first step rather than an afterthought. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and check the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file. Never enter your recovery phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in an email, and never share it with anyone who asks for it.
The most important risk is the project's status. Its maintainers have marked it unmaintained, so security issues may go unpatched. Check the official website for the latest version and any notices before installing, and avoid storing large amounts in it.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/gandlafbtc/nutstash-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
Nutstash differs from most wallets in this catalog because it is built for one protocol, Cashu. Coinomi, Exodus and Atomic Wallet focus on many assets across different networks, which suits people who hold a mix of coins. Electron Cash, by contrast, is a lightweight wallet for Bitcoin Cash and does not use ecash tokens.
For Cashu specifically, the project's own notice points to cashu.me as a different Cashu wallet to consider. If you want Cashu with active maintenance, that is the more practical starting point. If you need broad multi-asset support, the multi-currency wallets fit better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 2.2.0
- Last update
- 14 Aug 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/gandlafbtc/nutstash-wallet
Frequently asked questions
No. Its maintainers have labeled the project unmaintained, so it is not receiving regular updates. Check the GitHub page for recent activity before relying on it, and consider a maintained Cashu wallet for anything important.
It can be used with care, but the safest approach is to avoid storing significant funds in it. Download only from the official source, verify the SHA-256 checksum and never enter your recovery phrase on a third-party website. The lack of maintenance is the main concern.
Yes. The program is free and open source, and its code is published on GitHub. Because it is open, you can review how it works, though a reviewed codebase does not remove the need for ongoing maintenance.
Cashu is an ecash protocol that runs on Bitcoin. Mints issue tokens that represent value, and wallets like Nutstash store and send those tokens. The design aims to limit how much a mint can learn about individual payments, but users still depend on the mint.
Yes. It is available as a Windows build or installer. Download the file from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify its checksum and then run the installer like any other desktop application.
For Cashu, the project suggests cashu.me as another Cashu wallet. For many assets across different networks, Coinomi, Exodus and Atomic Wallet are common choices. Pick based on whether you need a single protocol or broad multi-asset support.
Verdict
Nutstash Wallet is best suited to people who want to study Cashu, explore an open-source codebase or try ecash with small amounts. Because its maintainers have marked it unmaintained, it is not a good home for significant savings. If you want Cashu with ongoing updates, choose a maintained Cashu wallet, and if you need many assets, consider a multi-currency option instead.