Bitkey Shares Code for Firmware, Mobile App, Server & Hardware Schematics
"Today, we’re taking the next big step in our open development: we’re publishing the code that powers the hardware device, mobile app, and server behind Bitkey, as well as electrical designs for the hardware."
- "Starting today, anyone can audit the code behind Bitkey to understand how it works, and to verify that it doesn't include functionality that could give Block control over our customers’ funds."
"Open development is critical to self-custody for Bitkey – and so is transparent and straightforward communication with our customers and community. So we want to be clear about what publishing our code means, and why we’ve decided to share it," the company said.
- "When we launch soon, anyone with sufficient technical skills will be able to take advantage of our “reproducible builds” – meaning they can build the mobile app in order to verify that the code we’ve published on Github matches the Bitkey app available on the Google Play Store. Anyone can report security issues to us, expect us to investigate them, and expect us to publish any applicable security patches for the world to see."
- "The code we’re releasing is licensed under the Commons Clause license. You can use Bitkey code in a project you don’t charge for (go ahead and tinker!), but in most situations, you need to talk to us if you want to use Bitkey code in a paid product or service."
"We’re sharing a lot today, and our team is excited to hear feedback from those who review our Github repository. If you’re interested in contributing to Bitkey, consider joining our team or giving us feedback at bitkey@block.xyz."
The shared repository includes code and design information for each of the following components of Bitkey:
- Firmware: the code that runs on the Bitkey hardware device. This code generates, secures, and manages one of the three keys in Bitkey’s multisignature design.
- Mobile application: the code that makes up the Bitkey app which we will soon distribute on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. This code comprises the primary interface customers use to interact with Bitkey, manages another one of the three keys in Bitkey’s design, and enables customers to interact with recovery tools like Bitkey’s encrypted cloud backups and social recovery features.
- Server: the code that manages the third key that Block holds on behalf of Bitkey customers in order to help them recover from losing parts of their wallet.
- Hardware schematics: the electrical designs for the Bitkey hardware device.
