Xverse: keys, security, fees and reviews
In short
- Key control
- Self-custodial: private keys are encrypted on the device with the user's password and are not shared with Xverse.
- Fees
- Wallet: Free to download and use; users pay network fees for on-chain transactions.
- Risks and caveats
- Losing the secret recovery phrase means losing access; Xverse support will never ask for it.
- Checked
- 31 October 2026
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Key facts
- Official site
- xverse.app
Key facts checked on 31 October 2026 against official sources.
What is Xverse
Xverse is a self-custodial Bitcoin wallet for mobile (iOS, Android) and a Chrome extension, built by Secret Key Labs Limited. It started as a mobile wallet for Bitcoin and Stacks and now also covers Ordinals, Runes, BRC-20 and Bitcoin layer-2 networks such as Stacks, Starknet and Spark.
Who holds the keys
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Key control | Self-custodial: private keys are encrypted on the device with the user's password and are not shared with Xverse. |
| Seed phrase | The user must back up the secret recovery phrase; Xverse support never asks for it. |
| Custodian | Exception: the optional Lightning balance (since January 2026) is a custodial service run by partner Sati, separate from the self-custodial wallet. |
| Account model | Spark layer-2 balances use a shared signing protocol across several operators while the user keeps the keys and can exit to Bitcoin layer 1. |
Features and supported networks
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Chrome browser extension and mobile apps for Android and iOS. |
| Supported networks | Bitcoin layer 1 plus the Starknet, Stacks and Spark layer-2 networks. |
| Hardware wallet support | Ledger and Keystone; Ledger support covers Bitcoin, Ordinals, Runes, BRC-20, Stacks and SIP-10 tokens. |
| Multisig | Shared vaults with co-signing through an integration with Asigna. |
| Lightning | A Lightning balance with a reusable Lightning address, provided by partner Sati inside the Xverse web wallet. |
Security and audits
- Source code is public on GitHub (secretkeylabs), but the wallet extension is under a Secret Key Labs licence that allows only non-commercial reuse, not a standard open-source licence.
- Xverse states that its code is audited by Least Authority and links a Least Authority audit report from its security page.
- Xverse says it does not track personally identifiable information such as account addresses or balances.
Fees
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Wallet | Free to download and use; users pay network fees for on-chain transactions. |
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 April 2022 | Xverse described itself as a non-custodial mobile wallet for Stacks and Bitcoin, built by Secret Key Labs, after a rebranding and a dApp browser release. |
| 8 December 2022 | Launch of the Chrome browser extension (beta). |
| 16 May 2023 | New brand identity introduced. |
| 28 August 2025 | Integration with the Spark Bitcoin layer 2 went live. |
| 26 January 2026 | Lightning payments added through a partnership with Sati. |
Risks and caveats
- Losing the secret recovery phrase means losing access; Xverse support will never ask for it.
- The optional Lightning balance is custodial and held by a third party (Sati), separate from the self-custodial wallet; Lightning payments are irreversible.
- The source licence restricts commercial reuse, so the code is source-available rather than open source in the usual sense.
About the developer
- Developer
- Secret Key Labs, a software lab founded by engineers from the original Stacks team.
- Legal entity
- Secret Key Labs Limited; the app licence agreement is governed by Hong Kong law.
Official links
- Website: www.xverse.app
- Download: www.xverse.app/download
- Docs: docs.xverse.app
- Source code: github.com/secretkeylabs
- Security: www.xverse.app/security
- Support: support.xverse.app/hc/en-us
- Blog: www.xverse.app/blog
Questions and answers
Is Xverse self-custodial?
Yes for the main wallet: keys are encrypted on the user's device. The optional Lightning balance added in January 2026 is custodial and run by partner Sati.
Is Xverse open source?
The code is public on GitHub, but the wallet extension licence from Secret Key Labs allows only non-commercial reuse. Xverse links a Least Authority audit report.
Which networks does Xverse support?
Bitcoin (including Ordinals, Runes and BRC-20) plus Stacks, Starknet and Spark, with Ledger and Keystone hardware wallet support.
Who makes Xverse?
Secret Key Labs Limited, founded by engineers from the original Stacks team; its app terms are governed by Hong Kong law.
Does Xverse charge fees?
The wallet is free; users pay network fees for on-chain transactions.
Sources
- Xverse — Home
- Xverse — Security
- Xverse — Terms (EULA)
- Xverse — Spark wallet
- Xverse — Lightning wallet
- Xverse blog — Xverse Wallet Compendium (5 April 2022)
- Xverse blog — Desktop browser extension (8 December 2022)
- Xverse blog — New brand identity (16 May 2023)
- Xverse blog — Spark integration (28 August 2025)
- Xverse blog — Lightning with Sati (26 January 2026)
- GitHub — xverse-web-extension LICENSE
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