Historic wallets include a mini-application for Bitcoin

Electrum, one of the most used wallets to manage Bitcoin, has announced an update that seeks to expand the possibilities of its users.

According to a message posted by the official Electrum team of Social Network X on April 15, 2025, it is the next version of the software. Plugins (called accessories in Spanish) can be installed that are developed and distributed by third parties.

These plugins act as small or mini-programs designed to add specific features, representing changes in Electrum and opening new doors to customize the user’s experience, but also generate questions about the risks involved.

The purpose of including these electric mini programs is to extend the Bitcoin wallet functionality beyond its basic functionality. Previously, Electrum has provided standard tools such as transaction management, hardware wallet compatibility, and connectivity to the Bitcoin network.

However, by allowing external developers to create and deliver their own plugins, the team is trying to create a more dynamic ecosystem where users can adapt their wallets to their specific needs. It’s like electricity, traditionally a simple tool Currently, you can equip small specialized modulesJust like how miniprograms add new functions to larger applications, users can customize the experience without changing the software core.

This new feature integration process is detailed in Pull the request #9718 in the Electrum Github repository reveals the technical approach the equipment has adopted to implement these minipregrams.

Plugins focused on electrical safety

According to developer Sombernight, the author of the proposal, a system has been created that allows plugins to be managed through manual installation mechanisms that require user authentication.

Details Pull the request They indicate that these minipregrams must be explicitly installed by the user. Users must grant permission to the administrator to activate them. Moreover, it is established You cannot update the plugin automatically. Additional approvals are required for each new version of MiniProgram, and it aims to reduce risk by avoiding revisions on non-charges.

The system also includes a graphical interface that allows users to visualize and manage installed plugins. Similar to how accessories work in Google Chrome browsers. This design reflects the efforts to balance the flexibility provided by these mini-programs and the need to maintain a safe environment for those using their wallets.

According to available information, Electrum’s third party plugin aims to add certain features to your wallet, such as connecting with external services, implementing transaction management, and facilitating integration with interactive tools with the Bitcoin network.

For example, a mini-program allows connections to personalized servers to improve privacy and add support for certain Bitcoin-related protocols. However, since Electrum only provides frames to work within the software, the exact scope will depend on what external developers decide to create.

Does the Ethereum application (Dapps) have an Electrum plugin?

Compared to Ethereum Dapps, the Electrum plugin has different purposes and structures. DAPPS is a decentralized application that runs on the Ethereum Network through intelligent contracts, capable of providing more complex services such as a decentralized finance platform, inappropriate token markets, and games.

Instead, Electrum Miniprograms does not rely on intelligent contracts. These are extensions that run locally and are designed to interact with the Bitcoin network, but from the wallet. DAPP can be a complete application with its own distributed logic, but the Electrum plugin is rather A mini-program with a more limited approach focusing on improving or complementing the functionality of your wallet; Visualization of nodes and data, etc.

Thus, both concepts seek to expand the possibilities of their respective platforms, but their mechanisms and objectives are fundamentally different.

Incorporating these third party mini-programs into Electrum shows a noticeable change in the wallet, which is appreciated by its lightness and simplicity. This update opens the door to community-driven innovation, but also raises questions about the security and trust that users must leave with these external accessories.

The Electrum team appears to be aware of these challenges. Pull the request. However, the actual impact of this new feature will only be known if the community begins to develop and adopt these accessories.