XEP Core is a free, open-source full node and core wallet for the Electra Protocol. It is aimed at merchants who want to accept payments, customers who want to pay with it, and casual users who want to hold and move its coins with software they control. Running a full node means your copy of the software checks transactions against the network's rules instead of trusting someone else's server.
Before you install, know the project's status. The latest version is v1.0.5.0, and the last code update was in November 2023, more than two years ago. Treat this release as a legacy project that may not keep pace with network changes or new Windows updates. The rest of this page covers what the program offers, how to install it from official sources, and how to decide whether it fits your needs.
What Electra Protocol Is and Why It Matters
Electra Protocol is the payment network that XEP Core is built to serve. The software describes the protocol as a global payment layer, so the goal is not a single local app but a system meant to be used across borders and between very different kinds of users.
A payment network has to serve several groups at once. Merchants care about whether a payment is final and easy to reconcile. Customers care about simple wallets and clear fees. Casual users mostly want to hold and send value without a bank in the middle. A protocol designed for all three has to balance these needs, and that balance shapes how the network is used day to day.
For a reader new to the category, the key idea is that a protocol is a set of rules every participant follows. The program is one implementation of those rules. Reading the documentation alongside the source code gives the clearest picture of how the rules apply to your own use.
Who Should Consider XEP Core
XEP Core suits readers who want to run their own node for the Electra Protocol rather than rely on a hosted web wallet. Three groups are the most natural fit.
- Merchants who want to test whether the protocol fits their checkout process, and who need a node they control to verify incoming payments.
- Developers and technical users who want to read MIT-licensed wallet code, compile it, and study how a core wallet communicates with the network.
- Casual users who already understand basic wallet safety and prefer an independent client over a hosted service.
It is less suitable for someone who wants a quick, phone-first experience or active support for a new release. Treat it as a tool for learning and small test transfers rather than a long-term home for large balances.
How a Full Node Works in Everyday Use
A full node keeps a copy of the blockchain on your computer and checks every new block and transaction against the network's rules. When you open the program, it connects to other peers, downloads the blocks it is missing and builds its own view of the ledger. The first sync can take a long time, and it grows as the chain grows, so plan for it before you rely on balances.
The main advantage is independence. Instead of asking a remote server whether a payment arrived, you check for yourself. The trade-off is resource use: disk space, bandwidth and an always-on machine if you want to stay current. A node that stays online also relays data to other peers, which helps the network.
With a core wallet, the node and the wallet run together. The keys you hold are tied to the same software that verifies your balance, so an outdated or misconfigured client affects both at once.
Key features
Electra Protocol Payments
Full Node and Core Wallet in One Program
Open Source Under the MIT License
Ready-Made Windows Build or Installer
Supported coins
XEP Core is built around the Electra Protocol. The project's documentation names the Lightning Network, and the mining algorithm associated with the project is SHA-256. Read the documentation for your version to see which parts of that support are actually implemented.
How to install XEP Core on Windows
- 1
Get the program from an official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/electraprotocol/xep-core. Avoid mirrors, torrents and links shared in chat messages, since copied installers are a common way to distribute tampered software.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page. If the checksum does not match, delete the file and download it again. If a signature is published, check it as well.
-
Install and run the first sync
Run the Windows installer, or unpack the Windows build into its own folder. Let the first launch finish syncing before you rely on balances, and keep the wallet data folder in a location you can back up.
How to use XEP Core
Once XEP Core for Windows is installed, a basic routine keeps the first use simple. Take your time on the first run and test with small amounts before any larger transfer.
- Open the program and let it connect to peers. Wait for the initial sync to finish, which can take a long time on a new install.
- Confirm that your wallet is set up, and back up the recovery material using an offline method, such as writing a seed phrase on paper if the wallet generates one.
- Check that the node shows a current block height before trusting any balance.
- Send a small test transaction to an address you control, then confirm it appears on the network.
- Read the documentation for your version, especially the sections on Lightning Network.
- Close the program and store your backup in a secure place that is not on the same drive as the wallet data.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Source code is public on GitHub for review
- Ready-made Windows build or installer
- Built around the Electra Protocol payment design
- Combines a full node and a core wallet in one program
- No code updates since November 2023; the latest version is v1.0.5.0
- Narrow focus on one protocol, so it is less useful if you hold many different coins
- A full node's sync and disk use can be heavy on older machines
- Lightning Network is named in the documentation, so do not assume it works like a dedicated Lightning wallet
Is XEP Core safe?
XEP Core handles wallet keys, so treat the download and setup with care. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and compare the SHA-256 checksum against the published value before running the installer. Because the last code update was in November 2023, the program may contain unpatched issues or compatibility problems with current Windows versions. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and avoid running an old build on a machine that holds other sensitive data. Never enter your seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in any recovery form that does not belong to the program itself. Scammers often imitate wallet software, so a search result that looks official is not proof of safety.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/electraprotocol/xep-core. 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
Several programs in this catalog are also full nodes and core wallets, including Litecoin Core, Dogecoin Core, Syscoin Core and Viacoin Core. Each is built around its own network, so the main choice is which chain you want to run. XEP Core differs in its stated purpose: the Electra Protocol payment design rather than a general-purpose coin. Its MIT license and public GitHub code are shared by many open-source wallets, so the license alone does not separate them. If you are choosing for a specific network, start with that network's own software and compare how actively each project is maintained.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v1.0.5.0
- Last update
- 20 Nov 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/electraprotocol/xep-core
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The program is free, and its source code is published under the MIT license. Running a full node still uses disk space, bandwidth and processing time on your own computer, so the real cost is hardware, electricity and your time for setup.
It can be used safely if you take normal precautions. Verify the SHA-256 checksum, keep backups, and never share your seed phrase. The latest code update dates from November 2023, so older code may carry risks that newer software has already fixed. Read the safety section before you install.
The project's documentation mentions the Lightning Network, so it is part of the stated scope. However, being named in documentation does not mean it works like a dedicated Lightning wallet. Read the documentation for your version to see what is actually supported.
Not in an active sense. The latest version is v1.0.5.0, and the last code update was in November 2023, more than two years before this page was written. Expect no regular fixes, so treat the program as legacy software and test it carefully.
Developers, technical users and merchants who want to study or test the Electra Protocol with their own node are the most natural audience. Casual users may find it harder to set up than a hosted wallet. If you are one of them, start on a spare machine with small amounts.
Electra Protocol is the payment network that XEP Core is built to serve. The software describes it as a global payment system for merchants, customers and everyday users. For the rules and technical details, the project's own documentation and source code are the most reliable references.
Verdict
XEP Core is a free, open-source full node and core wallet for people who want to run Electra Protocol software themselves. It fits developers, technical users and merchants testing the protocol on a spare machine. It is a weaker choice for anyone who needs a current, actively maintained program, because the last code update was in November 2023. Use it to learn, test and verify, and keep balances small until you are comfortable with the setup.