Ashigaru Project Unveils First Mobile Crypto Wallet

On September 20, a group of developers announced the creation of a fork of the Samourai Wallet code and released the first version of a mobile wallet as part of the new "Ashigaru Open Source Project."

Forking Samourai Wallet Code

The Ashigaru project claims to develop, release, and maintain free and open-source software. The project's goal is to create solutions with a low technical barrier to entry, ensuring user security, privacy, and censorship resistance. The developers note that the project extensively uses code from the public domain and other crypto projects.

Arrest of Samourai Wallet Developers

In April 2024, Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill, founders of the Samourai Wallet, were arrested on money laundering charges. The US Department of Justice stated that the founders executed over $2 billion in unlawful transactions and facilitated more than $100 million in money laundering. Rodriguez pleaded not guilty and was released on a $1 million bail bond with geographical restrictions.

Future of Ashigaru Project

Little is known about the team of developers who identified themselves as former users of Samourai Wallet but emphasized having no ties to the core Samourai Wallet development group. The Ashigaru project continues to develop, adhering to the principles of open-source code and user privacy.

The creation of the Ashigaru project based on the Samourai Wallet code highlights the importance of privacy and security for developers. Despite the arrests of the Samourai Wallet founders, the community continues to strive for open and accessible solutions.