Does Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool require KYC?

As of Jan 1, 2026, Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool does not require KYC for normal use. Whirlpool coinjoin coordinator was operated by Samourai Wallet. The service was seized in April 2024 when U.S. authorities arrested the developers.

What payment methods does Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool accept?

Payment methods are unspecified in our entry as of Jan 1, 2026.

Where is Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool based?

Operating jurisdiction listed as previously US/EU; service seized. This is best-known information; corporate structure can be opaque.

Mixers & coinjoin · Privacy wallets

Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool

Samourai Wallet and its Whirlpool coordinator were a significant part of the Bitcoin coinjoin ecosystem until U.

Website: samouraiwallet.com
KYC: no KYC — Whirlpool coinjoin coordinator was operated by Samourai Wallet. The service was seized in April 2024 when U.S. authorities arrested the developers.
Status: seized
Fiat on-ramp: no
Payment: —
Jurisdiction: previously US/EU; service seized
Founded: 2015
Open source: yes
Custodial: no
Last verified: Jan 1, 2026
Sources: 2

Overview

What Samourai was#

A Bitcoin wallet and Whirlpool coinjoin coordinator, until April 2024.

Threat-model fit#

Historical record only. The Samourai brand is no longer a trusted identity in 2025+.

Strengths

Designed an influential coinjoin protocol (Whirlpool) with mathematically provable non-discrimination.
Strong on-device tooling (Stowaway PayJoin, Stonewall, Ricochet).

Caveats

U.S. DOJ seized the Whirlpool coordinator and arrested the developers in April 2024.
Wallet binaries hosted by Samourai are no longer signed by the original team.
Forks (Sparrow's integration with Whirlpool ended; community alternatives have variable trust) exist; do not assume any post-seizure operator is the original team.
Listed for historical reference and to flag fakes claiming the name.
Facts need re-verification by operator (last seeded 2026-01).

Verdict

Samourai Wallet and its Whirlpool coordinator were a significant part of the Bitcoin coinjoin ecosystem until U.S. authorities seized the coordinator and arrested the developers in April 2024. Listed for historical record. Do not trust binaries or services advertising the Samourai name in 2025 onward without explicit provenance.

FAQ

Does Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool require KYC?: As of Jan 1, 2026, Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool does not require KYC for normal use. Whirlpool coinjoin coordinator was operated by Samourai Wallet. The service was seized in April 2024 when U.S. authorities arrested the developers.
What payment methods does Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool accept?: Payment methods are unspecified in our entry as of Jan 1, 2026.
Where is Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool based?: Operating jurisdiction listed as previously US/EU; service seized. This is best-known information; corporate structure can be opaque.

Sources

U.S. DOJ press release on Samourai arrests · accessed Jan 1, 2026
Samourai Wallet site (post-seizure) · accessed Jan 1, 2026

Mentioned in

Quick answers

What is coinjoin and is it still safe in 2026?

Explainers

Samourai Wallet indictment and Whirlpool coordinator seizure (April 2024)

Alternatives to Samourai Wallet / Whirlpool

Entry last verified Jan 1, 2026. Notice an error? Send it via the contact form.