Qtum Electrum Light Wallet User Guide

Qtum Electrum is a lightweight desktop wallet for the Qtum blockchain, built on the trusted Electrum Bitcoin wallet framework. Designed for speed, security, and ease of use, it offers a streamlined alternative to the full-node Qtum Core wallet. With minimal disk usage and fast synchronization via SPV (Simplified Payment Verification), Qtum Electrum is ideal for users who want secure, efficient access to their QTUM holdings without the burden of downloading the entire blockchain.

Whether you're managing standard transactions, QRC20 tokens, or advanced setups like multisig and hardware wallets, Qtum Electrum supports a wide range of features while maintaining a user-friendly interface. This comprehensive guide walks you through setup, wallet creation, sending and receiving funds, token management, and advanced security options.

Getting Started with Qtum Electrum

Download and Installation

To begin, download the latest version of Qtum Electrum from official sources:

• GitHub Releases: https://github.com/qtumproject/qtum-electrum/releases/latest
• Official Qtum Ecosystem Site: https://qtumeco.io/wallet

Choose the appropriate version based on your operating system:

• Portable: Runs without installation; all data is stored in the app’s directory—ideal for USB drives.
• Setup: Installs the application on your system (typically C:\Program Files) and creates a desktop shortcut.

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For Linux users, follow the dependency installation instructions provided in the project’s README at GitHub. Always verify file integrity and digital signatures to ensure authenticity.

After installation, launch the wallet and select "Auto Connect" to let the software automatically connect to reliable servers.

Creating and Restoring Your Wallet

Upon first launch, you'll be prompted to choose a wallet type. For most users, "Standard Wallet" is recommended—it follows BIP44 standards for hierarchical deterministic (HD) key generation.

Creating a New Wallet

1. Select "Create a new seed".
2. Write down your 12-word recovery phrase (seed)—this is crucial for wallet recovery.
3. Confirm the seed by re-entering the words in order.
4. Set a strong password to encrypt your wallet file.

⚠️ Important: Store your seed phrase offline—never share it, screenshot it, or store it digitally. Losing it means losing access to your funds.

Restoring from Existing Seed

If you already have a wallet:

• Choose "I already have a seed".
• Enter your 12-word mnemonic.
• Optionally set a new password.

To restore from a Qtum mobile wallet, select "Qtum mobile wallet compatible" during setup.

For users migrating from Qtum Core, export your master private key using:

qtum-cli dumpwallet ~/Desktop/wallet.txt

Then copy the extended private master key and choose "Qtum Qt Core wallet compatible" during restoration.

Sending and Receiving QTUM

The Qtum Electrum interface is intuitive and minimalistic. Use the top tabs to navigate between functions.

Receiving QTUM

1. Go to the "Receive" tab.
2. Copy the generated address or share the QR code.
3. Each time you request funds, a new address is generated (HD wallet behavior), enhancing privacy.

Sending QTUM

1. Switch to the "Send" tab.
2. Enter the recipient’s Qtum address and amount.
3. Use the default fee or customize it based on network conditions.
4. Click "Send" to broadcast the transaction.

All transactions appear in the "History" tab, where double-clicking any entry reveals detailed transaction information.

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Managing QRC20 Tokens

Qtum supports QRC20 tokens—fungible tokens similar to Ethereum’s ERC20 standard.

Adding a QRC20 Token

1. Navigate to the "Tokens" tab.
2. Right-click in the token list and select "Add Token".
3. Enter the token’s contract address, available via block explorers like qtum.info.
4. Select the associated wallet address from the dropdown.

Once added, your token balance and transaction history will appear automatically.

Sending Tokens

1. Right-click on the added token.
2. Choose "Send".
3. Input the recipient’s address and amount.
4. Confirm and broadcast the transaction—just like sending QTUM.

Advanced Security: Multisignature Wallets

For enhanced fund protection, Qtum Electrum supports multisignature (multisig) wallets—requiring multiple private keys to authorize a transaction.

This feature is ideal for joint accounts, organizational treasuries, or high-value storage.

Setting Up Multisig

1. During wallet creation, choose "Multi-signature wallet".

2. Define:

   • Number of participants (e.g., 2-of-3, 3-of-5).
   • Minimum signatures required to spend funds.
3. Enter your own seed and input public keys provided by co-signers.
4. Co-signers must repeat this process using your public key.

Each participant retains full control of their private keys—never share private keys or seeds.

Multisig on Qtum uses native script functionality (like Bitcoin), offering greater security than smart-contract-based solutions.

🔐 Security Tip: Never expose your private keys. Multisig enhances security only when keys are stored separately and securely.

For deeper technical insight, refer to Electrum’s official multisig documentation (integrated into Qtum Electrum’s logic).

Hardware Wallet Integration

Qtum Electrum supports hardware wallets like Ledger, adding an extra layer of cold storage security.

Connecting a Ledger Device

1. Connect your Ledger via USB and unlock it.
2. Open the Qtum app on Ledger by pressing both buttons.

3. In Qtum Electrum, create a new wallet and select:

   • "Standard wallet" → "Use a hardware device"
4. Follow prompts—ensure no other apps are using the device.
5. If connection fails, try reconnecting or restarting the app.

A green dot in the bottom-right corner confirms successful hardware connection.

Making Transactions

When sending funds:

• Approve the transaction details on your Ledger device.
• Confirm with physical button presses.

This ensures private keys never leave the hardware device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Qtum Electrum safe to use?
A: Yes—Qtum Electrum uses SPV verification and supports cold storage, multisig, and hardware wallets. As long as you protect your seed phrase, your funds remain secure.

Q: Can I use my mobile wallet’s recovery phrase in Qtum Electrum?
A: Yes. Choose “Qtum mobile wallet compatible” during restoration to import your mobile wallet’s seed seamlessly.

Q: Why does my receiving address keep changing?
A: This is normal behavior for HD wallets. Each new transaction uses a fresh address to improve privacy and security.

Q: How do I update Qtum Electrum?
A: Visit the official GitHub or Qtum ecosystem site regularly for updates. Always download from trusted sources to avoid malware.

Q: What should I do if I lose my password?
A: Your seed phrase can restore access—but not your password. Without it, you’ll need to recreate the wallet and re-enter the seed each time.

Q: Is Qtum Electrum still in beta?
A: While stable for daily use, it may carry beta tags during ongoing development. Report bugs via GitHub Issues for community improvement.

Final Thoughts

Qtum Electrum delivers a powerful blend of performance, security, and flexibility for managing QTUM and QRC20 tokens. From fast synchronization and clean UI to support for multisig and hardware integration, it caters to both beginners and advanced users.

Always prioritize security: back up your seed, use strong passwords, and leverage hardware devices for large holdings.

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