@tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc

Note: This package is currently in beta. Please test thoroughly in development environments before using in production.

A simple and secure package to manage BIP-84 (SegWit) wallets for the Bitcoin blockchain. This package provides a clean API for creating, managing, and interacting with Bitcoin wallets using BIP-39 seed phrases and Bitcoin-specific derivation paths.

🔍 About WDK

This module is part of the WDK (Wallet Development Kit) project, which empowers developers to build secure, non-custodial wallets with unified blockchain access, stateless architecture, and complete user control.

For detailed documentation about the complete WDK ecosystem, visit docs.wallet.tether.io.

🌟 Features

• Bitcoin Derivation Paths: Support for BIP-84 standard derivation paths for Bitcoin (m/84'/0')
• Multi-Account Management: Create and manage multiple accounts from a single seed phrase
• Transaction Management: Create, sign, and broadcast Bitcoin transactions
• UTXO Management: Track and manage unspent transaction outputs using Electrum servers

⬇️ Installation

To install the @tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc package, follow these instructions:

You can install it using npm:

npm install @tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc

🚀 Quick Start

Importing from @tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc

Creating a New Wallet

import WalletManagerBtc, { WalletAccountBtc } from '@tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc'

// Use a BIP-39 seed phrase (replace with your own secure phrase)
const seedPhrase = 'test only example nut use this real life secret phrase must random'

// Create wallet manager with Electrum server config
const wallet = new WalletManagerBtc(seedPhrase, {
  host: 'electrum.blockstream.info', // Electrum server hostname
  port: 50001, // Electrum server port (50001 for TCP, 50002 for SSL)
  network: 'bitcoin' // 'bitcoin', 'testnet', or 'regtest'
})

// Get a full access account (uses BIP-84 derivation path)
const account = await wallet.getAccount(0)

// Get the account's address (Native SegWit by default)
const address = await account.getAddress()
console.log('Account address:', address)

Note: This implementation uses BIP-84 derivation paths and generates Native SegWit (bech32) addresses by default. The address type is determined by the BIP-84 standard, not by configuration.

Important Note about Electrum Servers: While the package defaults to electrum.blockstream.info if no host is specified, we strongly recommend configuring your own Electrum server for production use. Public servers like Blockstream's can be significantly slower (10-300x) and may fail when fetching transaction history for popular addresses with many transactions. For better performance, consider using alternative public servers like fulcrum.frznode.com for development, or set up your own Fulcrum server for production environments.

Managing Multiple Accounts

import WalletManagerBtc from '@tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc'

// Assume wallet is already created
// Get the first account (index 0)
const account = await wallet.getAccount(0)
const address = await account.getAddress()
console.log('Account 0 address:', address)

// Get the second account (index 1)
const account1 = await wallet.getAccount(1)
const address1 = await account1.getAddress()
console.log('Account 1 address:', address1)

// Get account by custom derivation path
// Full path will be m/84'/0'/0'/0/5
const customAccount = await wallet.getAccountByPath("0'/0/5")
const customAddress = await customAccount.getAddress()
console.log('Custom account address:', customAddress)

// Note: All addresses are Native SegWit (bech32) addresses (bc1...)
// All accounts inherit the provider configuration from the wallet manager

Note: This implementation generates Native SegWit (bech32) addresses only. Legacy and P2SH-wrapped SegWit address types are not supported. All accounts use BIP-84 derivation paths (m/84'/0'/account'/0/index).

Checking Balances

Account Balance

import WalletManagerBtc from '@tetherto/wdk-wallet-btc'

// Assume wallet and account are already created
// Get confirmed balance (returns confirmed balance only)
const balance = await account.getBalance()
console.log('Confirmed balance:', balance, 'satoshis') // 1 BTC = 100,000,000 satoshis

// Get transfer history (incoming and outgoing transfers)
const allTransfers = await account.getTransfers()
console.log('Recent transfers (last 10):', allTransfers)

// Get transfer history with options
const incomingTransfers = await account.getTransfers({
  direction: 'incoming', // 'incoming', 'outgoing', or 'all'
  limit: 20,             // Number of transfers to fetch
  skip: 0                // Number of transfers to skip
})
console.log('Incoming transfers:', incomingTransfers)

// Note: Provider is required for balance checks
// Make sure wallet was created with Electrum server configuration

Important Notes:

• getBalance() returns confirmed balance only (no unconfirmed balance option)
• There's no direct UTXO access method - UTXOs are managed internally
• Use getTransfers() instead of getTransactionHistory() for transaction data
• Transfer objects include transaction ID, value, direction, fee, and block height information

Sending Transactions

Send Bitcoin and estimate fees using WalletAccountBtc. Uses Electrum servers for broadcasting.

// Send Bitcoin (single recipient only)
const result = await account.sendTransaction({
  to: 'bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh', // Recipient's Bitcoin address
  value: 50000n // Amount in satoshis
})
console.log('Transaction hash:', result.hash)
console.log('Transaction fee:', result.fee, 'satoshis')

// Get transaction fee estimate
const quote = await account.quoteSendTransaction({
  to: 'bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh',
  value: 50000n
})
console.log('Estimated fee:', quote.fee, 'satoshis')

Important Notes:

• Bitcoin transactions support single recipient only (no multiple recipients in one call)
• Fee rate is calculated automatically based on network conditions
• Transaction amounts and fees are always in satoshis (1 BTC = 100,000,000 satoshis)
• sendTransaction() returns hash and fee properties
• quoteSendTransaction() returns only the fee estimate

Message Signing and Verification

Sign and verify messages using WalletAccountBtc.

// Sign a message
const message = 'Hello, Bitcoin!'
const signature = await account.sign(message)
console.log('Signature:', signature)

// Verify a signature
const isValid = await account.verify(message, signature)
console.log('Signature valid:', isValid)

Fee Management

Retrieve current fee rates using WalletManagerBtc. Rates are provided in satoshis per virtual byte (sat/vB).

// Get current fee rates
const feeRates = await wallet.getFeeRates();
console.log('Normal fee rate:', feeRates.normal, 'sat/vB');  // Standard confirmation time (~1 hour)
console.log('Fast fee rate:', feeRates.fast, 'sat/vB');     // Faster confirmation time

Important Notes:

• Fee rates are fetched from mempool.space API
• getFeeRates() returns only normal and fast fee rates (no economic or priority)
• Fee estimation is done via quoteSendTransaction() method, not a separate estimateFee() method
• Fee rates are automatically calculated based on network conditions and UTXO selection
• Actual fees depend on transaction size (number of inputs/outputs) and current network congestion

Memory Management

Clear sensitive data from memory using dispose methods.

// Dispose wallet account to clear private keys from memory
account.dispose()

// Dispose entire wallet manager
wallet.dispose()

📚 API Reference

Table of Contents

Class	Description	Methods
WalletManagerBtc	Main class for managing Bitcoin wallets. Extends WalletManager from @tetherto/wdk-wallet.	Constructor, Methods
WalletAccountBtc	Individual Bitcoin wallet account implementation. Implements IWalletAccount from @tetherto/wdk-wallet.	Constructor, Methods, Properties

WalletManagerBtc

The main class for managing Bitcoin wallets.
Extends WalletManager from @tetherto/wdk-wallet.

Constructor

new WalletManagerBtc(seed, config)

Parameters:

• seed (string | Uint8Array): BIP-39 mnemonic seed phrase or seed bytes
• config (object, optional): Configuration object
  • host (string, optional): Electrum server hostname (default: "electrum.blockstream.info")
  • port (number, optional): Electrum server port (default: 50001)
  • network (string, optional): "bitcoin", "testnet", or "regtest" (default: "bitcoin")

Example:

const wallet = new WalletManagerBtc(seedPhrase, {
  host: 'electrum.blockstream.info',
  port: 50001,
  network: 'bitcoin'
})

Methods

Method	Description	Returns
getAccount(index)	Returns a wallet account at the specified index	Promise<WalletAccountBtc>
getAccountByPath(path)	Returns a wallet account at the specified BIP-84 derivation path	Promise<WalletAccountBtc>
getFeeRates()	Returns current fee rates for transactions	Promise<{normal: number, fast: number}>
dispose()	Disposes all wallet accounts, clearing private keys from memory	void

getAccount(index)

Returns a wallet account at the specified index using BIP-84 derivation.

Parameters:

• index (number, optional): The index of the account to get (default: 0)

Returns: Promise<WalletAccountBtc> - The wallet account

Example:

const account = await wallet.getAccount(0)

getAccountByPath(path)

Returns a wallet account at the specified BIP-84 derivation path.

Parameters:

• path (string): The derivation path (e.g., "0'/0/0")

Returns: Promise<WalletAccountBtc> - The wallet account

Example:

const account = await wallet.getAccountByPath("0'/0/1")

getFeeRates()

Returns current fee rates from mempool.space API.

Returns: Promise<{normal: number, fast: number}> - Object containing fee rates in sat/vB

• normal: Standard fee rate for confirmation within ~1 hour
• fast: Higher fee rate for faster confirmation

Example:

const feeRates = await wallet.getFeeRates()
console.log('Normal fee rate:', feeRates.normal, 'sat/vB')
console.log('Fast fee rate:', feeRates.fast, 'sat/vB')

dispose()

Disposes all wallet accounts and clears sensitive data from memory.

Returns: void

Example:

wallet.dispose()

WalletAccountBtc

Represents an individual Bitcoin wallet account. Implements IWalletAccount from @tetherto/wdk-wallet.

Constructor

new WalletAccountBtc(seed, path, config)

Parameters:

• seed (string | Uint8Array): BIP-39 mnemonic seed phrase or seed bytes
• path (string): BIP-84 derivation path (e.g., "0'/0/0")
• config (object, optional): Configuration object
  • host (string, optional): Electrum server hostname (default: "electrum.blockstream.info")
  • port (number, optional): Electrum server port (default: 50001)
  • network (string, optional): "bitcoin", "testnet", or "regtest" (default: "bitcoin")

Methods

Method	Description	Returns
getAddress()	Returns the account's Native SegWit address	Promise<string>
getBalance()	Returns the confirmed account balance in satoshis	Promise<bigint>
sendTransaction(options)	Sends a Bitcoin transaction	Promise<{hash: string, fee: bigint}>
quoteSendTransaction(options)	Estimates the fee for a transaction	Promise<{fee: bigint}>
getTransfers(options?)	Returns the account's transfer history	Promise<BtcTransfer[]>
sign(message)	Signs a message with the account's private key	Promise<string>
verify(message, signature)	Verifies a message signature	Promise<boolean>
toReadOnlyAccount()	Creates a read-only version of this account	Promise<never>
dispose()	Disposes the wallet account, clearing private keys from memory	void

getAddress()

Returns the account's Native SegWit (bech32) address.

Returns: Promise<string> - The Bitcoin address

Example:

const address = await account.getAddress()
console.log('Address:', address) // bc1q...

getBalance()

Returns the account's confirmed balance in satoshis.

Returns: Promise<number> - Balance in satoshis

Example:

const balance = await account.getBalance()
console.log('Balance:', balance, 'satoshis')

sendTransaction(options)

Sends a Bitcoin transaction to a single recipient.

Parameters:

• options (object): Transaction options
  • to (string): Recipient's Bitcoin address
  • value (number | bigint): Amount in satoshis

Returns: Promise<{hash: string, fee: number}> - Object containing hash and fee (in satoshis)

Example:

const result = await account.sendTransaction({
  to: 'bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh',
  value: 50000
})
console.log('Transaction hash:', result.hash)
console.log('Fee:', result.fee, 'satoshis')

quoteSendTransaction(options)

Estimates the fee for a transaction without broadcasting it.

Parameters:

• options (object): Same as sendTransaction options
  • to (string): Recipient's Bitcoin address
  • value (number | bigint): Amount in satoshis

Returns: Promise<{fee: number}> - Object containing estimated fee (in satoshis)

Example:

const quote = await account.quoteSendTransaction({
  to: 'bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh',
  value: 50000
})
console.log('Estimated fee:', quote.fee, 'satoshis')

getTransfers(options?)

Returns the account's transfer history with detailed transaction information.

Parameters:

• options (object, optional): Filter options
  • direction (string, optional): 'incoming', 'outgoing', or 'all' (default: 'all')
  • limit (number, optional): Maximum number of transfers (default: 10)
  • skip (number, optional): Number of transfers to skip (default: 0)

Returns: Promise<BtcTransfer[]> - Array of transfer objects

Example:

const transfers = await account.getTransfers({ 
  direction: 'incoming', 
  limit: 5 
})
console.log('Recent incoming transfers:', transfers)

sign(message)

Signs a message using the account's private key.

Parameters:

• message (string): Message to sign

Returns: Promise<string> - Signature as hex string

Example:

const signature = await account.sign('Hello Bitcoin!')
console.log('Signature:', signature)

verify(message, signature)

Verifies a message signature using the account's public key.

Parameters:

• message (string): Original message
• signature (string): Signature as hex string

Returns: Promise<boolean> - True if signature is valid

Example:

const isValid = await account.verify('Hello Bitcoin!', signature)
console.log('Signature valid:', isValid)

toReadOnlyAccount()

Creates a read-only version of this account (not supported on Bitcoin blockchain).

Returns: Promise<never> - Always throws an error

Throws: Error - "Read-only accounts are not supported for the bitcoin blockchain."

Example:

// This will throw an error
try {
  await account.toReadOnlyAccount()
} catch (error) {
  console.log(error.message) // Read-only accounts are not supported
}

dispose()

Disposes the wallet account, securely erasing the private key from memory.

Returns: void

Example:

account.dispose()
// Private key is now securely wiped from memory

Note: getTokenBalance(), transfer(), quoteTransfer(), and toReadOnlyAccount() methods are not supported on the Bitcoin blockchain and will throw errors.

Properties

Property	Type	Description
index	number	The derivation path's index of this account
path	string	The full BIP-84 derivation path of this account
keyPair	object	The account's key pair (⚠️ Contains sensitive data)

⚠️ Security Note: The keyPair property contains sensitive cryptographic material. Never log, display, or expose the private key.

🌐 Supported Networks

This package works with Bitcoin networks:

• Bitcoin Mainnet ("bitcoin")
• Bitcoin Testnet ("testnet")
• Bitcoin Regtest ("regtest")

Electrum Server Configuration

Important: While the package defaults to electrum.blockstream.info:50001 for convenience, we strongly recommend configuring your own Electrum server for production use.

Recommended Approach:

For Production:

• Set up your own Fulcrum server for optimal performance and reliability
• Use recent Fulcrum versions that support pagination for high-transaction addresses

For Development/Testing:

• fulcrum.frznode.com:50001 - Generally faster than default
• electrum.blockstream.info:50001 - Default fallback

Performance Note: Public Electrum servers may be 10-300x slower and can fail for addresses with many transactions. Always use your own infrastructure for production applications.

Supported Address Types

This implementation supports Native SegWit (P2WPKH) addresses only:

• Native SegWit (P2WPKH): Addresses starting with 'bc1' (mainnet) or 'tb1' (testnet)
  • Uses BIP-84 derivation paths (m/84'/0'/account'/0/index)
  • Lower transaction fees compared to legacy formats
  • Full SegWit benefits including transaction malleability protection

Note: Legacy (P2PKH) and wrapped SegWit (P2SH-P2WPKH) address types are not supported by this implementation. All generated addresses use the Native SegWit format for optimal fee efficiency and modern Bitcoin standards.

🔒 Security Considerations

• Seed Phrase Security: Always store your seed phrase securely and never share it
• Private Key Management: The package handles private keys internally with memory safety features
• Network Security: Use trusted Electrum servers or run your own for production
• Transaction Validation: Always verify recipient addresses before sending
• Memory Cleanup: Use the dispose() method to clear private keys from memory when done
• UTXO Management: UTXO selection and change handling is managed automatically by the wallet
• Fee Management: Fee rates are fetched from mempool.space API automatically
• Address Format: Only Native SegWit (bech32) addresses are supported

🛠️ Development

Building

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build TypeScript definitions
npm run build:types

# Lint code
npm run lint

# Fix linting issues
npm run lint:fix

Testing

# Run tests
npm test

# Run tests with coverage
npm run test:coverage

📜 License

This project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0 - see the LICENSE file for details.

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

🆘 Support

For support, please open an issue on the GitHub repository.

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