- The new Ashigaru project has forked from Samourai Wallet to improve user privacy
- Ashigaru’s developers, former Samourai users, prioritize open-source security solutions
- The original Samourai Wallet founders are facing serious legal issues related to money laundering charges
On September 20, a group of anonymous software developers announced a hard fork of the popular Samourai Wallet and launched a new initiative called the “Ashigaru Open Source Project.”
Samourai Wallet has been forked. Some brave souls have picked up where Samourai Wallet left off and the fight for privacy lives on.
Excellent work in reigniting this flame in the darkest hour. Running your own Dojo now required.https://t.co/464YMuDoOMhttps://t.co/0QMBUCKVRy
— burn the bridge (@econoalchemist) September 22, 2024
The developers say the move aims to strengthen privacy and security for cryptocurrency users by implementing CoinJoin and other privacy-preserving mechanisms to protect users from heuristic analysis and tracking.
Samourai Wallet Forks Into Ashigaru
According to the new project’s website, Ashigaru is committed to developing, publishing, and maintaining free, open-source software focused on security and privacy. The Ashigaru team emphasizes making tools accessible with low technical barriers so users can transact peacefully, voluntarily, and privately online without exposing themselves to tracking, surveillance, or censorship. The developers—who identify as former Samourai Wallet users—clarified they are not affiliated with the original Samourai Wallet development team. That split has generated curiosity about the new developers’ motivations and identities. The team says it relies heavily on public-domain code and other cryptocurrency projects, reinforcing its commitment to open-source principles.
Original Samourai Wallet Founders Face Legal Troubles
This development follows serious legal problems for Samourai Wallet co-founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill. In April 2024, both were arrested on money laundering charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. Rodriguez pleaded not guilty and was released on a $1 million bond. Authorities allege the two facilitated over $2 billion in illicit transactions and participated in laundering more than $100 million. After the arrests, the FBI seized Samourai Wallet’s website and servers, and the app was removed from app stores. As Ashigaru begins its journey, the project seeks to restore the privacy-first transaction ethics that Samourai Wallet represented. With a focus on empowering users and resisting censorship, Ashigaru could reshape how individuals navigate the complex world of digital currency. The cryptocurrency community will be watching the project’s development and impact closely as it evolves.