What it does
Minibits combines Bitcoin Lightning and Cashu ecash with Lightning addresses, Nostr Wallet Connect and NFC payment features. Its free MIT-licensed wallet is available for Android and iOS without sign-up. The project’s terms restrict it to research and experimentation, and its own mint is for testing.
An ecash balance represents tokens issued by a mint. Minibits stores those tokens locally, but the mint holds the underlying Bitcoin and must redeem them. Choosing a mint is therefore part of the payment arrangement, not just choosing a server address.
From a Lightning invoice to ecash
Select or add a compatible mint and generate a Lightning invoice to top up. The resulting ecash can be received by scanning or pasting a token, then shared as text, a QR code or through supported NFC exchanges. The wallet can also use ecash to pay a Lightning invoice or address.
A token can be handed over offline, but the recipient still needs to contact the mint to redeem it and settle its validity. This limits what an offline exchange alone can establish.
The 12-word backup and the list of mints are important recovery material. A fuller export can also retain contacts and recent transactions. Transaction search and filters help find previous activity without assuming every planned repository feature is already available.
Minibits's own wallet, LNURL, mint and recovery services carry no operator charge under the current terms. Mining and routing costs are passed through at cost, with unused fee reserves returned. Independent mints may set different terms. The service requires users to meet its age requirement, which is at least 18.
Strengths
- Nostr Wallet Connect supports tips from compatible applications
- A full backup can include contacts and recent transaction history
Watch out for
- The issuing mint controls redemption of the ecash
- The project limits its services to research and experimentation
- An offline handover still needs later verification with the mint
Best for
- Developers and community groups testing Cashu payment workflows
- Adults exploring NFC ecash transfers and Lightning-funded tokens
Sources
- Minibits mobile ecash wallet (Oct 27, 2026)
- Minibits implemented features and backups (Oct 27, 2026)
- Minibits MIT licence (Oct 27, 2026)
- Minibits terms updated 15 October 2026 (Oct 27, 2026)