How do I install embit on a MicroPython device like an ESP32?

You need a custom MicroPython build with extended hashlib and secp256k1 bindings. Copy the embit folder to the board and remove files like ctypes_secp256k1.py to save space, as per the README instructions.

Does embit support SegWit transactions and modern Bitcoin features?

Yes, embit includes essential Bitcoin functionality like SegWit for transaction signing, but it's minimalistic, so check the documentation for specific implementation details and limitations.

What's better for embedded Bitcoin projects: embit or bitcoinlib?

embit is optimized for MicroPython and minimal footprint, ideal for microcontrollers, while bitcoinlib is more feature-rich but heavier, better suited for desktop or server environments with full Python.

Can I use embit to develop a hardware wallet from scratch?

Absolutely, embit is well-suited for hardware wallet development due to its focus on embedded systems, auditability, and support for BIP39 mnemonics and key management.

How to add a custom BIP39 wordlist for non-English languages in embit?

Provide an alternate wordlist as a list of strings to methods like mnemonic_to_seed, as shown in the README example for Spanish, but you must source the wordlist externally.

What are the memory requirements for running embit on a microcontroller?

embit is designed to be lightweight, but exact requirements vary by device; refer to the documentation or examples for benchmarks, as it depends on features used and hardware constraints.

Open-Awesome

embit

MITPythonv0.8.2

A minimal Bitcoin library for MicroPython and Python3 designed for embedded systems and microcontrollers.

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117 stars56 forks0 contributors

What is embit?

embit is a minimal Bitcoin library for MicroPython and Python3, specifically designed for embedded systems and microcontrollers. It provides essential Bitcoin functionality like key management, transaction signing, and BIP39 mnemonics while maintaining a small code footprint. The library solves the problem of running Bitcoin operations on resource-constrained hardware where traditional Bitcoin libraries are too heavy.

Target Audience

Developers building Bitcoin applications for embedded systems, hardware wallets, or IoT devices using MicroPython or Python3. It's also suitable for anyone needing a lightweight, auditable Bitcoin library for constrained environments.

Value Proposition

Developers choose embit for its minimal footprint and MicroPython compatibility, enabling Bitcoin functionality on microcontrollers where other libraries won't fit. Its focus on auditability and embedded systems makes it unique among Bitcoin libraries.

Overview

A minimal bitcoin library for MicroPython and Python3 with a focus on embedded systems

Use Cases

Best For

Building hardware wallets with MicroPython
Adding Bitcoin functionality to embedded IoT devices
Creating lightweight Bitcoin tools for resource-constrained environments
Developing auditable Bitcoin applications where code simplicity is critical
Prototyping Bitcoin projects on microcontrollers
Implementing BIP39 mnemonics in embedded systems

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring extensive Bitcoin protocol features like Lightning Network or complex smart contracts
Teams wanting plug-and-play setup without custom MicroPython firmware modifications
Applications where high transaction throughput or server-grade performance is critical
Developers needing out-of-the-box multilingual BIP39 support without manual wordlist management

Pros & Cons

Pros

Minimal Footprint

Designed specifically for microcontrollers, embit maintains a small codebase to fit within constrained hardware resources, as highlighted in its minimalism philosophy.

MicroPython Compatibility

It supports MicroPython for embedded Bitcoin applications, enabling use on devices like ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Pico without heavy dependencies.

Security Auditability

The library prioritizes simple, minimal code for easier security reviews, making it a strong choice for auditable projects like hardware wallets.

Liquid Sidechain Support

Includes functionality for the Liquid network via a libsecp-zkp fork, though it falls back to pure Python if prebuilt libraries fail, as noted in the README.

Cons

Custom Firmware Requirement

For MicroPython, it requires a custom build with extended hashlib and secp256k1 bindings, adding significant setup complexity and limiting out-of-the-box usability.

Performance Trade-offs

Prebuilt libraries may fail, forcing a fallback to slower pure Python implementations, which can impact performance in resource-constrained or high-demand scenarios.

Manual Multilingual Setup

Non-English BIP39 wordlists are not included by default; developers must source and provide them manually, increasing development overhead for international applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

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