Over the next few weeks, my “Bitcoin beginner” friend/colleague will move a decent amount of coin from an exchange to self-custody. I’m thinking we’ll start with Sparrow Wallet, to learn about key restoration and UTXOs (or is BlueWallet better for this?) and then to a HWW from there.

My question: should I make sure she installs a VPN on the computer first? Personally, I never do a Bitcoin transaction without a VPN enabled, but I don’t want to overwhelm a newbie with a digital privacy sermon, at the same time as our welcome-to-Bitcoin session.

nostr:npub1ltt9gry09lf2z6396rvzmk2a8wkh3yx5xhgkjzzg5znh62yr53rs0hk97y, how do you approach this question with your clients? nostr:npub1f6ugxyxkknket3kkdgu4k0fu74vmshawermkj8d06sz6jts9t4kslazcka what about you?

Thanks frens 🙏🫂🫡

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Step by step, that’s my recommendation.

Thanks P 🫂💜🫡

I’d cover the VPN side before BTC if it were me but appreciate you don’t want to overload them with info. At least with a VPN, once it’s set up, it doesn’t require too much attention.

That’s fair. Thanks!

I would do this in phases to avoid overwhelming all at once. Expect lots of questions.

VPN first (mullvad or ivpn)

Then order a coldcard, or other suitable HWW direct and initialize

Setup Sparrow, preferably pointing to their own node, or yours over Tor, or a known "ok" public electrum server

Import Xpub from initialized HWW into Sparrow

Withdraw to an address shown in sparrow that came from the HWW.

That’s pretty much the plan! I’ll see if I can’t get her to set up the vpn ahead of time. She’s tech savvy at least as an end user, so shouldn’t be an issue!

💯 #Sparrow. Always-on VPN. May as well start the habit now. Would be more private using her own privacte electrum server.

"Warning: It is not advisable to use Sparrow with a public server if you plan to store any significant funds. In that case, you should only connect to a server you trust. Your funds are never at risk, but your privacy is shared. Read the best practices guide for further information in considering which approach is right for you."

If that's not an option, the sethforprivacy is a good alternate choice.

To change servers on an already existing sparrow wallet:

ctrl+p to open preferences -> server -> edit existing connection -> fulcrum.sethforprivacy.com

#cybersecgirl

Read this:

https://sparrowwallet.com/docs/best-practices.html

You’re a gem, my friend!

And minds think alike — I’ve used precisely that sparrow config in the past, with the addition of a Tor port/proxy (not sure on terminology) but basically running Tor browser in the background and connecting it to sparrow before importing an xpub or broadcasting anything.

The Bitaroo node is another good one, if I recall. Their loading text explicitly states they keep no logs etc. (Of course, it’s a trust game, but at least they’re saying something, ya know?) 🫡

Anyway, I think I may just tell her to set up a proper VPN before we even do any Bitcoin-y stuff. Thank you 💜

😉🤙💜

no need, can just enable tor in sparrow

VPN for KYC stack is super low priority.

Focus on security of recovery.

That’s a fair point. I started thinking of it since we’re on office WiFi… but I can tether her to my phone hotspot (which happens to be VPN’d)

Literally sent her this a half hour ago 😎 thank you for your service ser

https://youtu.be/4gfmm8x2F9M?si=DGQHpFdTRqOiyrUX

Learn how to buy Bitcoin without KYC, then mix your coins directly into long-term cold storage. This video uses Robosats, Sparrow Wallet Whirlpool, and the Coldcard MK4.

RELEVANT LINKS

Sparrow Wallet Tutorial

 • SPARROW WALLET: Manage...

Sparrow Whirlpool Tutorial

 • Using Whirlpool Coinjo...

Wallet of Satoshi Tutorial

 • Wallet Of Satoshi - Si...

Robosats Tutorial

 • ROBOSATS - Buy and Sel...

Robosats Tor Link

http://robosats6tkf3eva7x2voqso3a5wco...

Coldcard MK4 Tutorial

 • Coldcard Bitcoin Hardw...

Buy A Coldcard

https://store.coinkite.com/promo/BTCS...

Get Tor Browser

https://www.torproject.org/

Get Telegram Desktop

https://telegram.org/

Tip sessions

Haven’t used Sparrow before, but didn’t they just announced that the whirlpool feature is no longer active?

once sparrow is set up and talking to coldcard via the channel of your choice, send and receive a few test transactions.

setting up a wallet on sparrow and receiving are important steps, however the true crux of testing a new setup is to spend out of it.

🎯