Review of Eigenwallet for trustless BTC to XMR atomic swaps in 2026, covering its non-custodial mechanics, privacy features, maker markups, and practical usage limits.
Eigenwallet is a desktop application and protocol built for trustless BTC-to-XMR atomic swaps. It runs exclusively as the taker side, letting Bitcoin holders exchange directly with independent makers. The app doubles as a non-custodial wallet for both assets and routes all traffic over Tor by default.
The project is open-source and community-funded through donations. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows, with mobile listed as coming soon. As of September 24, 2026, the software has been live in some form for more than three years.
In 2025 the team completed a rebrand from UnstoppableSwap to eigenwallet. The domain and GitHub organization moved, and core developer binarybaron published a PGP-signed confirmation of the change. The new name and infrastructure better match the project’s current scope while preserving the same atomic-swap mechanics and no-custody design.
Eigenwallet functions exclusively as the taker in BTC-to-XMR swaps. The desktop application connects users directly to independent makers who advertise liquidity and set their own exchange rates, expressed as a markup over centralized exchange benchmarks. Makers may also require an anti-spam deposit before proceeding.
The flow stays non-custodial and peer-to-peer throughout. Once a maker is selected, the taker locks the agreed Bitcoin amount on the BTC blockchain using a time-locked contract. The maker then locks the corresponding Monero on the XMR chain. If both parties complete their steps within the time windows, each receives the swapped funds. Failure by either side triggers refunds through the contract logic.
The Hermes protocol, added in 2026 releases, handles messaging by embedding data in Monero blockchain transactions. This design lets swaps finish without requiring a persistent direct connection after the initial setup phase.
Because the protocol is atomic, correct completion ensures neither party loses funds to the other. All network traffic routes through Tor by default, and the application never takes custody of user keys or deposits.
Eigenwallet sends all network traffic over Tor by default, masking user IP addresses during both swap negotiation and wallet synchronization. Because the application functions strictly as a non-custodial taker, no KYC is collected and no third party ever holds the user’s BTC or XMR; the atomic-swap contract itself enforces that funds remain under the initiator’s control unless the protocol completes.
Residual exposure points still exist. Discovery of makers occurs over the libp2p network, which can leak timing or peer metadata if a clearnet fallback is triggered. Circuit-relay support added in recent releases reduces but does not eliminate the chance of an IP leak when a direct Tor circuit fails.
Practical OPSEC steps include verifying the downloaded binary against the project’s PGP signatures, running the desktop client inside a dedicated virtual machine or Whonix workstation, and never combining swap activity with KYC on-ramps or reused wallet addresses. Users should also disable any VPN or proxy that could bypass the built-in Tor routing and review the maker’s advertised markup before confirming each trade.
Makers on Eigenwallet set their own exchange rates, typically applying a 3% markup above centralized exchange rates as documented on September 24, 2026. This spread functions as the maker’s compensation for providing liquidity in the BTC-to-XMR direction.
Documentation updated the same date lists a minimum swap size of 0.0003 BTC, roughly $30 at prevailing prices. Makers may also require an anti-spam deposit of 2%, structured to deliver a 98% refund when a swap is cancelled or fails after the initial lock.
These parameters directly affect taker costs and accessibility. The 3% markup plus Bitcoin network fees sets the effective price; smaller swaps become uneconomical once fees are factored in. Liquidity depth remains maker-dependent, with no aggregate volume figures published.
| Aspect | Eigenwallet | Centralized Exchanges | Other Atomic-Swap Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custody | Non-custodial; funds stay in user-controlled wallets | Custodial during trade | Non-custodial in most cases |
| Privacy | High; Tor by default, no KYC, Monero side private | Low; KYC required, transaction data shared with operator | Variable; often lower than Monero-native swaps |
| Fees | Maker markup (~3%) plus network fees only | Trading fees (0.1–0.5%) plus withdrawal fees | Protocol fees or spreads, often higher than 3% |
Version 4.15.0, released September 22, 2026, added libp2p relays to improve outbound connections and fixed Monero lock transactions. These changes address connectivity drops and lock failures that previously interrupted swaps.
Releases throughout 2026 introduced the Hermes protocol for routing messages over the Monero blockchain, allowing swaps to complete after the initial P2P connection ends. Tauri GUI refinements and maker discovery upgrades make locating counterparties faster. Double-spend fixes protect makers, while circuit relay support strengthens network resilience.
The application now functions as a full Monero wallet alongside its swap role. Users manage XMR balances, view transactions, and perform standard wallet operations without separate tools. Maker setup relies on an orchestrator that handles Docker-based Atomic Swap Backend instances.
These updates keep the tool limited to taker-side BTC-to-XMR swaps on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with Tor traffic by default.
Documentation states a typical minimum of 0.0003 BTC, listed as around $30 at the time of the September 24, 2026 update on docs.eigenwallet.org.
Makers may require a 2% anti-spam deposit. This mechanism guarantees a 98% refund in most cases when the swap does not complete, according to the same September 24, 2026 documentation.
The project lists mobile support as coming soon. The current releases run only on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
No verified figures for active makers or liquidity depth appear in project sources as of September 2026. Availability depends on independent operators running the maker software.
The atomic swap protocol protects funds so that neither side loses coins when the protocol completes correctly. If the process aborts before the final steps, the anti-spam deposit refund rules and on-chain timelocks determine the outcome.
The Hermes protocol added in 2026 allows message passing via the Monero blockchain, so swaps can finish without an ongoing P2P connection after the initial setup.
