Understanding Samourai Wallet: Privacy-Focused Bitcoin Tool

What Was Samourai Wallet?

Samourai Wallet was a groundbreaking, open-source Bitcoin-only mobile wallet designed for Android users who valued privacy above all. Launched in 2015, it empowered individuals to transact without leaving digital footprints on the public blockchain. By using advanced techniques like coin mixing and obfuscation, Samourai helped mask transaction origins, making it a favorite among privacy advocates. However, as of 2024, the official app and website have been seized by US authorities, and its future remains uncertain.

Current Status Alert for US Users: Samourai Wallet is no longer operational. Its founders were sentenced to prison in November 2025 for operating an unlicensed money transmitter. This content is educational only – do not attempt to use seized or unofficial versions, as it could expose you to legal risks. Always comply with US laws like reporting crypto gains to the IRS.

Key Features That Defined Samourai

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Whirlpool CoinJoin

Samourai's flagship mixer pooled user transactions to break links between inputs and outputs, enhancing anonymity without trusting third parties.

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Ricochet

This added "decoy" hops to transactions, routing funds through extra addresses to disguise the sender's intent and origin.

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Tor & VPN Support

Route all traffic through anonymous networks, hiding your IP from nodes and protecting against surveillance.

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Military-Grade Encryption

AES-256 encryption secured your wallet on-device, with no address reuse to prevent metadata leaks.

Other perks included SegWit for lower fees, remote SMS commands for lost phones, and smart fee estimation based on network health. These tools made Bitcoin truly fungible – treating all coins equally, regardless of history.

How Samourai Worked: A Simple Guide

1

Download & Setup

Install from Google Play (pre-2024), create a 12-word seed phrase, and enable encryption. No KYC – fully non-custodial.
2

Fund & Mix

Receive BTC, then use Whirlpool to mix with others' coins. Pay a small fee for privacy pools starting at 0.003 BTC.
3

Transact Privately

Enable Ricochet for sends, connect via Tor, and monitor with built-in tools. Export anytime to BIP-39 compatible wallets.

US Tip: Even for privacy tools, track your cost basis for taxes. Tools like Koinly integrate with wallets for IRS Form 8949. Start small and educate yourself on FinCEN rules.

Why Privacy Matters – And the Legal Landscape

Fungibility: Prevents "tainted" coin discrimination, like cash – spend freely without judgment.
Surveillance Resistance: Protects against data brokers, hackers, or overreach tracking your finances.
Non-Custodial Control: You hold keys; no exchange freezes your funds.
Open-Source Transparency: Community-vetted code ensures no backdoors.
Low Fees & Efficiency: SegWit and smart monitoring kept costs down during congestion.
Remote Security: Wipe or recover via SMS if your phone is lost.

Samourai sparked debates on privacy vs. regulation. While innovative, its mixing drew DOJ scrutiny for alleged laundering facilitation – despite being non-custodial. Founders pleaded guilty in July 2025; one received 5 years in prison on November 6.

Security & Risks: What US Users Should Know

Samourai prioritized security with on-device encryption and no data collection. But post-seizure, risks include unofficial APKs with malware.

✅ Audited Open-Source
Community-reviewed for vulnerabilities.

❌ Legal Exposure
Using mixers may flag accounts on exchanges like Coinbase.

✅ Seed Backup
Hierarchical deterministic for easy recovery.

❌ No Multisig
Lacked advanced shared custody options.

2025 US Advisory: The DOJ views some privacy tools as unlicensed transmitters. Consult a lawyer; privacy is a right, but compliance avoids fines. Crypto is volatile – invest wisely.

Safer Alternatives for US Privacy Seekers

With Samourai offline, try compliant options:

Wasabi Wallet: Desktop coinjoin for Bitcoin – open-source, privacy-first.
Electrum: Lightweight, supports Tor; add mixers like JoinMarket.
Hardware + Software: Ledger with Sparrow for cold storage privacy.
Monero (XMR): Built-in privacy coin, tradeable on Kraken.

Always verify sources and use VPNs. For US users, platforms like Gemini offer regulated privacy features.