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layout | title | permalink |
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doc | Split Bitcoin | /doc/split-bitcoin/ |
How to Set Up a Split Bitcoin Wallet in Qubes
What is a "Split" Bitcoin Wallet?
A "split" bitcoin wallet is a strategy of protecting your bitcoin by having your wallet split into an offline "cold storage" wallet and an online "watching only" wallet.
A "Watching" Wallet and a "Cold" Wallet
-
Create a Debian 8 backports template using the Qubes VM Manager or running
qvm-clone debian-8 debian-8-backports
in dom0. -
Add backports to the sources for the new template by opening a terminal in the new template, run
sudo vi /etc/apt/sources.list
and adddeb http://http.debian.net/debian jessie-backports main
.(If you are new to
vi
text editing, typei
to be able to edit, and when done editing pressESC
then type:x
and pressENTER
.) -
Update source list:
sudo apt-get update
. -
Install
electrum
from backports:sudo apt-get -t jessie-backports install electrum
. -
shut down your
debian-8-backports
template -
create an
offline-bitcoin
qube based ondebian-8-backports
using the Qubes VM Manager or runningqvm-create -t debian-8-backports -l black offline-bitcoin
andqvm-prefs -s offline-bitcoin netvm none
in dom0. -
follow the electrum documentation in creating an offline wallet
-
create a
watching-bitcoin
qubes based ondebian-8-backports
connecting to the internet how ever you prefer using the Qubes VM Manager or running for exampleqvm-create -t debian-8-backports -l green watching-bitcoin
andqvm-prefs -s watching-bitcoin netvm sys-whonix
in dom0. -
follow the electrum documentation in creating an online watching-only wallet
Important Notes
- The private keys (xpriv) should never be moved outside of
offline-bitcoin
. - For copying out the public keys (xpub), Qubes provides two secure, convenient methods: the inter-VM clipboard and inter-VM file copy tools. Compared to traditional physically air-gapped machines, these tools make it very easy to copy out public keys.