Clear DefinitionsDesktop Wallet
Pronunciation
[desktahp woll-it]
Analogy
A desktop wallet is like a desktop banking app—it runs on your PC, giving you full control but requiring you to secure your machine.
Definition
A software wallet installed on a personal computer that stores private keys locally and provides full‑node or light‑client functionality.
Key Points Intro
Desktop wallets offer features such as:
Key Points
Local key control: Keys stored on user’s hard drive.
Node options: Can run full node or connect to remote node.
Advanced features: Often supports multiple coins, staking, and coin control.
Backup/restore: Seed phrase or wallet file export.
Example
Electrum is a Bitcoin desktop wallet that connects to remote servers for blockchain data while keeping keys locally.
Technical Deep Dive
Desktop wallets implement SPV or full‑node protocols. They store keys encrypted with a passphrase. Transaction creation and signing occur locally; wallet communicates via P2P or JSON‑RPC to broadcast and fetch UTXO data.
Security Warning
Compromised OS or malware can exfiltrate wallet files; use disk encryption and anti‑malware measures.
Caveat
Less portable than mobile wallets; requires secure, dedicated machine.
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