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Choose wisely your LN wallet you want to use

7620 sats \ 49 comments \ @DarthCoin 23 Jun bitcoin_beginners

A quick LN wallets guide for newbies

I've made another graphical reference of LN wallets for all those new users coming into the Bitcoin space. BEFORE starting to use Bitcoin over Lightning Network (LN), please think about the use case you have. This graphical representation could help you choose the right ones for your use case.

https://i.postimg.cc/fRZVc4J8/wallets-3-circles.jpg

In this image, we can see that Zeus is the only one that can be used with all three options and with multiple accounts / connections.

Do not blindly follow the influencers advice to "use X or use Y app". Most of them don't even know well how those apps works or not even know the existence of better ones. They just feed you with the apps they (usually) are paid to promote or they use for themselves.

Choose your wallets based on your own usage and situation you encounter using your BTC.

Some aspects to be taken in consideration:

There's no such thing as "best wallet" for everything. Remove this bias from your mind. Choose with your own knowledge, not because x and y told you so.
I would not "recommend" any wallet app in particular, but those that are open source and have a good reputation/history and respect the golden rule of Bitcoin: not your keys, not your bitcoin.
Use those that are open source and can be downloaded directly from their Github repos. Here is a guide about using de-googled devices with Obtainium
Stay away from "multicrapto" wallet apps. Are a fucking trap and usually are not open source! Bitcoin Only! Any app that contain anything else that is NOT Bitcoin is a crap wallet app. You have been warned!
Use not just 1 or 2, but 3 or 5-6, each one will have its own moment to be used and take advantage of their best features for the case you need.

Learn more about each wallet app, to know them better and know in which case you could use the one that have the most appropriate features. I wrote several guides about BTC-LN wallets:

Think like a bank, not just be a bank... - Read the FULL guide here

A. HODL = your "central bank" with most of your stash, your reserve bank, barely moving it, onchain B. CACHE = your "commercial bank" with medium size amounts, for redistributing to HODL and SPEND, onchain and LN, nodes channels etc C. SPEND = your spending pockets, with small amounts, enough to cover your regular spending, LN, with funding source from your "CACHE bank".

https://m.stacker.news/36606

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132 sats \ 1 reply \ @justin_shocknet 23 Jun freebie

Nice graph

To clarify ShockWallet can start in cloud credit "custodial" mode which will upgrade itself to a self custodial cloud node once affordable if you don't attach a remote node, so could technically fits in 3 categories

17 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

yeah was hard for me to position it, I should move it down a bit.

33 sats \ 15 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun

Can you give an opinion on using Zeus with the LSP as a mobile nostr zapping wallet? Have you tried this much?

64 sats \ 5 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

I do not use Zeus with nostr. Are other ways for that. I like to compartimelize things,.not using one app for evefything.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun

Yes, I agree. I use Mutiny now, but it's not working well. I'm going to try Zeus (not through my node, but with an LSP) or blixt.

54 sats \ 3 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

Mutiny is good for nostr. What is wrong with it for you?

49 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun freebie

It's funny you just replied. I was just messing around and got it to work again. About two weeks ago you gave me the tip to keep the channel open for a while before using it. That works very well. Lately, after a few days I can no longer zap on nostr, though I can send and receive elsewhere without a problem. I just discovered if I disconnect the NWC from primal mobile, then reconnect AND re save my profile, it starts working again. I don't know why I keep losing the connection, though. Maybe it's a primal issue. I updated it a few days ago. I use graphene OS and got the app through @franzap's zap store.

54 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

Yes, on primal happen to me too, using Alby. You have to disconnect and reconnect zapping. is not about the wallet you use, is more about NWC.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun

Okay. I think @TonyGiorgio mentioned that he had certain problems with NWC. Maybe it's related.

54 sats \ 8 replies \ @Natalia 23 Jun

for receiving is def not worth it, as it's too much fee. 👀

33 sats \ 7 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun

Yes, I know. I'm talking zapping.

54 sats \ 6 replies \ @Natalia 23 Jun

but how do you use it to zap? I just looked up Alby, it does not offer this option to connect with Zeus yet 👀

54 sats \ 5 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun

?? I haven't used it yet, but I am thinking about opening a channel and connecting it to my nostr mobile app (primal) with NWC. I'm not using Alby. I currently do this with Mutiny, but I need another option.

75 sats \ 1 reply \ @john_doe 23 Jun

On the last blog post of January 2024, https://blog.zeusln.com/new-release-zeus-v0-8-1/ It says "this work [Persistent LND] paves the way to implement NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect) down the road". So most likely not yet implemented. You don't use Alby apparently but still you can use Alby with Zeus. The NWC connection is done on the website of Alby.

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun freebie

Thanks for that information. Maybe I'll stick with Mutiny for now since I have it working again.

54 sats \ 2 replies \ @Natalia 23 Jun

interesting, I also never use Nostr on mobile, now that you made me curious about how ppl even zap in the phones.

33 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 23 Jun

It took me forever to find a convenient way. I finally got Mutiny to work, but it's very hit or miss.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @Manikese 23 Jun

I just use River. Super easy.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @BitcoinAbhi 23 Jun

Amazing post. Learning a lot from you.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 23 Jun

Great post Darth. I agree there is no perfect wallet and certain ones are better for different uses. Always appreciate your insights. Most of my knowledge regarding various wallets has come from learning from you. Thanks

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Natalia 23 Jun

https://imgprxy.stacker.news/m2KUrpEf3n1hHV4dCDQLsA7SLHooOY0UOU2Ei2QR8ic/rs:fit:2560:1440/aHR0cHM6Ly9pLnBvc3RpbWcuY2MvQ3hZZlZNeVIvZGFydGgtaW1wcmVzc2l2ZS5naWY

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @Hamstr 24 Jun

nice post Darth

13 sats \ 7 replies \ @kilianbuhn 23 Jun

What prevents wallets from the bottom left category to let users open channels? Like Person A has a phoenix wallet, person B has a Breez wallet, let them open directly open a channel to each other

3 sats \ 6 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

For Breez and Bitkit I should add a separate circle with liquidity stuck in a single LSP, but will make too complicated the whole picture. They run the node on the device, but the liquidity still depends on a single LSP, so the user still do not have too much liberty or is more complicated.

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @BitcoinErrorLog 12 Jul

Bitkit supports LNURL-channel for loading channels from other sources than Blocktank (you could buy from LNBIG, for example).

We also started the LSP Spec Group, which now includes many industry peers working on standards for connecting to any LSP... all so Bitkit users can have options.

Also, ALL liquidity is "stuck" with your counterparty, regardless of whether it is an LSP. End users aren't supposed to have 10 channels, that doesn't scale.

21 sats \ 4 replies \ @roy 23 Jun

Users can open their own channels with Breez. We have many users using it.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

I think a better representation will be this one

https://i.postimg.cc/634CB7qq/wallets-3-circles.jpg

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @roy 23 Jun

Yep, thank you 🙏

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

Is Breez migrating to full Greenlight ? Or will be 2 versions of Breez ?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @roy 23 Jun

The Breez SDK is on Greenlight, the wallet is still on lnd for the time being

15 sats \ 0 replies \ @Carresan 23 Jun

Thank you very much for your help in this field. I appreciate your support and patience with newbies.

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @IamSINGLE 24 Jun

Hey Darth!! Mutiny or blinking or breez ? Which one would you suggest for nostr?

111 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 24 Jun

I found Alby extension is a very good companion for nostr. WHY? Because I can setup Alby with multiple accounts, including my own node too. With alby you can link any LNBits account (yours or custodial), Blink account, your own node or simply a custodial Alby account.

Then when is about to zap you can switch to which one you like. For receiving zaps, I prefer Minibits LN address. I am still testing it but so far works nice. I just receive zaps and then when I consider that the amount is enough, I withdraw to another LN wallet. Just playing around.

All this crazynezz against "do not use custodial zaps" is useless and meaningless. As I explained in this guide about LN address, using a custodial non-KYC is a good decoy opsec. Damn it is only for small amounts that you play around.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @BitcoinIsTheFuture 23 Jun

I like how this shows the trade offs. I’ve had to use a few different as my options kept getting banned in the US. I like Zeus so far

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @SatsMate 23 Jun

Bookmarked and saved! I'm really starting to like using ZBD for user experience. I used to use Blue but they got rid of lightning, and Breeze - I had a channel shut down without notice due to a couple months of inactivity. Where would Speed wallet Muun, and Aqua be in this graph?

42 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

Where would Speed wallet Muun, and Aqua be in this graph?

This graph is about real / serious LN wallets, not crap shit. I said WISELY, not randomly any crap wallet...

Muun is not a LN wallet, is just faking it with submarine swaps. Aqua is a multicrap wallet, promoting Tether scam and Liquid crap. Speed is custodial (full KYC for US) used mostly to buy crap gift cards. I cannot name that a serious LN wallet.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @SatsMate 23 Jun

There are so many bitcoin influencers promotion Aqua and Speed right now!

10 sats \ 3 replies \ @quark 23 Jun

Do you know if there are plans to have like multiple embedded nodes in Zeus? Or how to have multiple accounts without pointing to different nodes? Or maybe I am asking for a stupid thing. The LSP is great but a bit expensive for small amounts. For example to have a small wallet for zapping.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

read the guides I mention it. Zeus can handle:

multiple remote nodes
only one embedded node
multiple lndhub accounts

But why do you need many embedded nodes ? Why one is not enough?

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @quark 23 Jun

Maybe not many embedded nodes but a way to have multiple accounts that cannot be related to each other, within that node. I don't have the knowledge about what are the privacy implications of using the same node for different purposes.

For example, if I zap as one user in nostr and then I zap as another nostr account from the same embedded node, then is it possible to know if both zaps come from the same person? Maybe it is a stupid question or maybe not. I'm far from expert in LN.

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 23 Jun

You can use for a scenario like that Shock wallet with multiple accounts in the same interface.

Zeus also can do it, but you need to switch between accounts.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @ways_wilderness 23 Jun

Thanks! Downloaded Zeus to test it now :-)

For my prototyping phase with 3+ projects on Nost and other platforms like this one Alby was the simplest, but now that I'm settling in for producing content then workflow is key...

Which is why one wallet that can handle several accounts and so on would be great, we will see!

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @jinformatique 23 Jun

A good reminder for plebs is to have a look at this website to know how your wallet is built. WalletScrutiny helps everyday bitcoin users verify whether or not their wallet is truly open-source and secure.

https://walletscrutiny.com/

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @e674d684d0 30 Jun

Almost all the wallets recommended are mobile apps or browser extensions, there are very few LN wallets which are online,

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Coinsreporter 23 Jun

I've downloaded Zeus but it take a lot of time to start

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin OP 24 Jun

So... you didn't read my guide about Zeus... https://darthcoin.substack.com/p/getting-started-zeus-mobile