How to use the bitcoin client without downloading the blockchain?

I would like to be able to use the bitcoin python client to be able to do things like sign transactions offline, create transactions, create multisig transactions, etc.

Is there a way to do this without having to download the whole bitcoin blockchain 20 GB?

I don't mind looking up the bitcoin addresses, outputs and such using an external website (e.g., blockchain.org) using some sort of API.

Is the a client that does this?

bitcoind

Guest Bitcoiner

Posted 2015-01-22T07:04:59.147

Reputation: 11

Answers

Electrum is an SPV wallet which has most of the functionality you mentioned.

Multisig is an issue though, the primary solution I'm aware of at this time is hybrid wallets such as Copay.

Meni Rosenfeld

Posted 2015-01-22T07:04:59.147

Reputation: 18 542

One option to do this programmatically would be to use Bitcore. It interfaces with a "blockchain explorer" to obtain stuff like outputs and addresses, and they can either be installed locally or you can use one from the ones already online: https://insight.is/ - and they're all open-source coming from the BitPay people.

Luca Matteis

Posted 2015-01-22T07:04:59.147

Reputation: 4 784