Crypto enthusiasts in particular share a common love for all-things open source, and the humble Linux operating system is no exception. As a result, it isn’t surprising to see an avalanche of crypto tools and solutions, especially off-late, all aimed at Linux users who also participate in the global crypto markets.
The sheer scale of offerings and solutions in this space can be quite overwhelming, especially for those who aren’t tech savvy. In this article, we take a deep dive into this subset where Linux and crypto enthusiasts intersect, identifying the various tools that these power users swear by.
- GnuPG
An open source implementation of OpenPGP, the GnuPG is tailored towards encrypting and signing data, and is widely used for secure communications, file protection, and the verification of digital signatures, among other use cases.
In addition to working with Linux and other Unix-like operating systems, GnuPG is also available for Windows and macOS, making it one of the most popular and widely used security solutions in the broader crypto ecosystem.
- Electrum
One of the most popular Bitcoin wallets, Electrum is known for its speed and simplicity, allowing users to keep their Bitcoin on a Linux system with limited resources.
This is made possible by its lightweight design that doesn’t require users to download the entire Bitcoin blockchain on their systems. In addition to this, it is popular among users who want to use Bitcoin’s multi-signature feature, which allows the signing of transactions before they are sent to the network.
Electrum is a cross-platform application, available for use on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Gnome Password Manager (GPM)
As the name suggests, Gnome is a password manager designed for the GNOME desktop environment in Linux. Like most password managers, it can be used to store and manage passwords for multiple websites, platforms, and applications, seamlessly and securely.
This makes it a useful tool for crypto enthusiasts on Linux, especially given the sheer number of passwords, keys, and recovery phrases they have to keep track of. One of its biggest selling points is its support for GnuPG encryption, which can be used to secure password data seamlessly.
Like most others on this list, the Gnome Password Manager supports Linux and other UNIX-type operating systems, in addition to Windows and macOS.
- Monero GUI Wallet
Monero is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that has been all the rage in recent months, given its untraceability and being unlinkable. The Monero GUI Wallet allows users to send and receive Monero coins with ease, all the while only downloading just 1/3rd of the blockchain to save on space.
Apart from this, the solution comes with two modes, simple and advanced, which users can toggle between, depending on the level of control they require, and their understanding of the system.
It is currently available in 30 different languages, and is compatible with Windows, macOS, and the Linux operating systems.
- Bitwarden
Another password management solution with GnuPG encryption support, Bitwarden is an open source solution that is well received among Linux and crypto enthusiasts.
Whether you actively trade cryptocurrency, passively buy and hold, or perform a mixture of both, a password manager is largely indispensable for people active in this segment, especially given the sheer number of accounts and passwords that they need to keep track of to conduct business effectively.
Bitwarden is once again, available on all major operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, and in addition to this, it can also be integrated into leading web browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.
Final Words
Linux users who dabble in cryptocurrencies are essentially spoiled for choice in this day and age, as the sheer number of tools, solutions, and applications catering to them only continues to increase day after day.
As of now, we’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of the various valuable tools for crypto investors and traders, so make sure to keep an eye on this section for regular updates going forward.
