Litecoin Core: keys, security, fees and reviews
Software wallet
In short
- Key control
- Self-custodial: keys are kept in a local wallet.dat file on the user's computer.
- Risks and caveats
- Funds depend on the local wallet.dat file; it must be backed up properly and kept safe.
- Checked
- 28 October 2026
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Key facts
- Wallet type
- Software wallet
- Platforms
- desktop
- Open source
- yes
- Official site
- litecoin.org
Key facts checked on 28 October 2026 against official sources.
What is Litecoin Core
Litecoin Core is the open-source reference software for the Litecoin network: a full node with a built-in desktop wallet (Litecoin-Qt) for Windows, macOS and Linux. It is developed by the Litecoin Project on GitHub under the MIT licence and supports MWEB (MimbleWimble Extension Blocks) since version 0.21.2.
Who holds the keys
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Key control | Self-custodial: keys are kept in a local wallet.dat file on the user's computer. |
| Recovery | Backups are made from the wallet file through the backupwallet command. |
| Account model | Optional wallet encryption requires a password before coins can be spent. |
Features and supported networks
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Linux, macOS and Windows desktop builds. |
| Supported networks | Litecoin only. |
| Privacy (CoinJoin, Tor) | Full node, wallet and mining support for MWEB (MimbleWimble Extension Blocks); Tor onion service support. |
| Connectivity | Runs a full Litecoin node that validates the blockchain locally. |
Security and audits
- Open source under the MIT licence; binaries can be verified against the source code.
- Security issues are reported by email to contact@litecoin.org, with published PGP keys of maintainers.
- Version 0.21.5.7 was a security fix distributed only to mining pools before being folded into the public 0.21.5.8 release (September 2026).
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 June 2012 | Litecoin source repository created on GitHub. |
| 8 May 2022 | Version 0.21.2 released with MWEB support. |
| 12 September 2026 | Maintenance release 0.21.5.8 published, improving MWEB validation and relay and adding a soft-fork rule. |
Risks and caveats
- Funds depend on the local wallet.dat file; it must be backed up properly and kept safe.
- Wallet files must not be shared between node instances, which can cause key reuse and double-spends.
- Downgrading from 0.21.2 or later to older versions is unsafe because the block format changed with MWEB.
About the developer
- Developer
- The Litecoin Project, an open-source community of contributors.
- Founders
- Charlie Lee is listed among the maintainers whose keys are used for security reports.
Official links
- Website: litecoin.org
- Download: download.litecoin.org/litecoin-0.21.5.8
- Source code: github.com/litecoin-project/litecoin
- Security: raw.githubusercontent.com/litecoin-project/litecoin/master/SECURITY.md
Questions and answers
Is Litecoin Core self-custodial?
Yes. Keys are stored in a wallet file on the user's own computer, optionally encrypted with a password.
Is Litecoin Core open source?
Yes, under the MIT licence, with source code on GitHub.
Which coins does Litecoin Core support?
Only Litecoin (LTC), including MWEB transactions since version 0.21.2.
Who makes Litecoin Core?
The Litecoin Project, an open-source community of developers.
Sources
- github.com
- github.com
- Litecoin Core — README
- Litecoin Core — SECURITY.md
- Litecoin Core — doc/files.md
- Litecoin Core — Release 0.21.2
- Litecoin Core — Release 0.21.5.8
- Litecoin Core — GitHub repository record
- Litecoin Project — litecoin.org (archived 2 June 2022)
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