Bitcoin continues to inspire innovation across the globe, fueling a vibrant ecosystem of open source development. From wallets and trading bots to blockchain implementations and educational tools, developers are leveraging Bitcoin’s decentralized architecture to build powerful, transparent, and user-empowering applications. This curated list highlights the top 66 Bitcoin open source projects on GitHub in 2025—ranked by popularity, activity, and community impact.
Whether you're a developer, trader, or blockchain enthusiast, these projects offer valuable resources to explore, contribute to, or integrate into your own work.
Core Infrastructure & Blockchain Development
At the heart of Bitcoin’s resilience lies its open source foundation. These projects focus on core protocol development, node implementation, and blockchain research.
Bitcoin/Bips
Stars: 9,700
Language: Wikitext
Tags: bitcoin, blockchain, BIPs, protocol
The Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) repository is the official hub for proposed changes and upgrades to the Bitcoin protocol. It's essential reading for developers and researchers involved in Bitcoin’s evolution.
btcd
Stars: 6,100
Language: Go
Tags: bitcoin, full node, btcd
A full-node Bitcoin implementation written in Go. btcd offers an alternative to Bitcoin Core with modular design and strong emphasis on security and performance.
Stacks Core
Stars: 2,900
Language: Rust
Tags: bitcoin, layer2, decentralized, smart contracts
Stacks enables smart contracts and decentralized apps (dApps) on Bitcoin through a Layer-2 solution. This project powers the Stacks blockchain, which settles transactions on Bitcoin.
👉 Discover how Bitcoin-powered dApps are reshaping decentralized finance.
Bitcoin Wallets & Privacy Tools
Secure storage and private transactions are critical in the crypto world. These open source wallets prioritize user control and privacy.
Electrum
Stars: 7,200
Language: Python
Tags: bitcoin wallet, lightweight, lightning
One of the most trusted Bitcoin wallets, Electrum supports cold storage, multi-signature transactions, and integrates with hardware wallets.
Wallet Wasabi
Stars: 1,900
Language: C#
Tags: privacy, non-custodial, CoinJoin
A privacy-first Bitcoin wallet that uses CoinJoin to obfuscate transaction trails. Built with Tor integration for anonymous connections.
Blue Wallet
Stars: 2,100
Language: JavaScript
Tags: mobile wallet, React Native, self-custody
A user-friendly mobile wallet supporting both on-chain and Lightning Network payments. Ideal for beginners and daily users.
Trading Bots & Algorithmic Strategies
Automated trading tools dominate the open source space, helping traders execute strategies across exchanges.
Freqtrade
Stars: 36,100
Language: Python
Tags: trading bot, machine learning, Telegram bot
A highly customizable crypto trading bot supporting technical indicators, backtesting, and live trading. Widely used for Bitcoin and altcoin strategies.
Jesse
Stars: 5,300
Language: Python
Tags: crypto bot, framework, backtesting
An advanced Python-based trading bot designed for serious traders. Offers a clean codebase and support for complex strategy development.
Superalgos
Stars: 3,900
Language: JavaScript
Tags: visual trading, automation, crypto bot
A fully open-source platform that lets users visually design and deploy trading bots without coding. Supports real-time market data and multi-exchange integration.
👉 Learn how algorithmic trading is transforming Bitcoin investment strategies.
Educational & Learning Resources
Understanding Bitcoin starts with accessible learning materials. These projects simplify complex concepts for newcomers and experts alike.
Mastering Bitcoin (bitcoinbook)
Stars: 24,000
Language: HTML
Tags: bitcoin book, blockchain programming
The definitive guide to Bitcoin development. Covers everything from cryptography to transaction scripting and wallet creation.
Learning Bitcoin From The Command Line
Stars: 3,000
Language: Jupyter Notebook
Tags: CLI, multisig, transaction
A hands-on course teaching Bitcoin through terminal commands. Perfect for developers who want to understand how transactions work under the hood.
Blockchain Demo by Anders94
Stars: 5,400
Language: Pug
Tags: blockchain tutorial, web-based
An interactive web demo that visualizes how blocks, hashing, and consensus work in a blockchain.
Lightning Network & Scalability
The Lightning Network is key to Bitcoin’s scalability. These projects power fast, low-cost micropayments.
Core Lightning
Stars: 2,800
Language: C
Tags: Lightning Network, P2P, payments
A high-performance implementation of the Lightning Network protocol. Used by merchants and developers building payment solutions.
BOLTs (Basis of Lightning Technology)
Stars: 1,900
Language: Markdown
Tags: protocol specs, cryptography
The official repository for Lightning Network specifications. Critical for developers building interoperable LN applications.
Developer Tools & Libraries
These libraries empower developers to build Bitcoin-integrated applications with ease.
Bitcoinjs-lib
Stars: 5,600
Language: TypeScript
Tags: JavaScript library, browser-compatible
A powerful Bitcoin library for Node.js and browsers. Enables signing transactions, generating addresses, and working with scripts.
NBitcoin
Stars: 1,800
Language: C#
Tags: .NET library
The most comprehensive Bitcoin library for .NET developers. Used in enterprise-grade applications and wallet services.
Cryptofeed
Stars: 1,900
Language: Python
Tags: WebSocket feed, exchange data
A high-performance feed handler for cryptocurrency exchange data. Ideal for building real-time trading systems.
Mining & Hardware
Though ASIC mining dominates today, CPU mining projects remain relevant for learning and testing.
cpuminer
Stars: 2,600
Language: Assembly
A classic CPU miner supporting Bitcoin and Litecoin. Useful for educational purposes and testing mining pools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes a Bitcoin project “open source”?
An open source Bitcoin project releases its source code publicly, allowing anyone to view, modify, and contribute. This ensures transparency, security audits, and community-driven development.
Are these projects safe to use?
While many are well-maintained and widely trusted (like Electrum or Freqtrade), always verify code integrity, check update frequency, and avoid entering private keys on untrusted platforms.
Can I contribute to these projects?
Yes! Most welcome contributions—whether code fixes, documentation improvements, or bug reports. Check each project’s README and contribution guidelines.
Which project is best for beginners?
For learning: Learning Bitcoin From The Command Line. For trading: Freqtrade. For wallets: Blue Wallet or Electrum.
How often are these projects updated?
Update frequency varies. Projects like Electrum and BIPs see daily commits, while others may be archived or less active. Always check the "Updated" timestamp on GitHub.
Do any of these support Ethereum or other blockchains?
Some projects (like Superalgos or XChange) support multiple cryptocurrencies. However, this list focuses on those with strong Bitcoin integration or educational value.
Final Thoughts
The open source community remains the backbone of Bitcoin innovation. These 66 projects represent just a fraction of the global effort to decentralize finance, enhance privacy, and expand access to digital money.
Whether you're building a wallet, automating trades, or learning blockchain fundamentals, there's a tool—or a community—waiting for you.
👉 Start building your next Bitcoin-powered application today.
Core Keywords: bitcoin open source projects, Bitcoin development tools, crypto trading bots, Lightning Network implementations, blockchain tutorials, Bitcoin wallet software, GitHub Bitcoin repositories