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Version: testnet (v0.77)

Create a wallet

Resources: Vega Wallet

To download Vega Wallet and create your wallet, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Wallet version

When choosing a Vega Wallet software version, ensure it is compatible with the network version number you're using, as mainnet and testnet may not be using the same software version.

Note: If you are looking for instructions for connecting your hardware wallet to MetaMask, see MetaMask's guide ↗.

1. Install and run Vega Wallet​

Download file​

Download and save the vegawallet zip file from Vega software releases ↗. Keep track of where you've saved the file, because that's where the command line interface will look for it.

You may need to change your system preferences to run the file.

Download vegawallet-windows-amd64.zip

You may need to change your system preferences for this specific instance, in order to run Vega Wallet. If you open the file from downloads, you may get a message from Windows Defender saying it prevented an unrecognised app from starting.

Click on the (More info) text, which will reveal the option to "Run anyway".

Antivirus software​

If you are running antivirus software, you may need to 'allowlist' or 'whitelist' the Vega Wallet software, so that your antivirus provider doesn't quarantine the software and block you from using it.

Command line guidance​

Use the following instructions in command line. Below, you'll see commands in the code blocks for each operating system. Copy those instructions and paste them into your command line interface.

In your command line interface, you can view a list of available commands by running ./vegawallet -h on MacOS and Linux, or vegawallet -h on Windows. Help is also available for every command, for example: vegawallet create -h will provide information about the create command.

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You'll need to run the commands from the directory you've saved the wallet file in. Use the command pwd to find out where your terminal is looking in the file system. Use the command cd and the path/to/wallet/directory to tell the command line where to find the file.

2. Generate new wallet​

The steps below will guide you through initialising a wallet, and creating new key pairs or importing an existing wallet.

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To restore a wallet from your recovery phrase, see the restore a wallet guide.

Initialise the software​

The init command will initialise the software the first time you use it. This creates the folders and the configuration files needed by the software to operate. 

vegawallet init

Create your wallet​

Next, create a wallet by giving it a name and passphrase.

This step will:

  • create your first public and private key
  • show your wallet's recovery phrase (save this immediately)

Replace MY_WALLET_NAME (below) with your chosen wallet name:

vegawallet create --wallet "MY_WALLET_NAME"

It will then prompt you to input a passphrase, and then confirm that passphrase.

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Keep your recovery phrase safe and secret. You will need it to import your keys.

Your recovery phrase is only shown once ever and cannot be recovered. DO NOT SHARE YOUR RECOVERY PHRASE.

3. Choose a network​

If you want to interact with the governance dApp or Vega Console, you'll need to import network configuration for the network(s) you want to connect to.

Import networks​

Import the following network configurations:

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To update your networks list, see manage networks for instructions.

Import networks from URL​

Use the following command to import from URL.

The URL used below is for mainnet, update the URL if you want to import a different network.

vegawallet network import --from-url https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vegaprotocol/networks-internal/main/fairground/vegawallet-fairground.toml

Import networks from file​

Alternatively you can import a network list from a text file. You can use the '.toml' files linked above as a template for your networks list. Use the following command to import from file: 

vegawallet network import --from-file "PATH_TO_FILE"
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Each network has a default name. You can rename the network using the --with-name flag.

List imported networks​

To see the names of the networks you imported, run the following command: 

vegawallet network list

4. Run the wallet​

For applications to be able to talk to your wallet, you will need to run the service. Every time you run the service, you will have to choose which network you need. Choose the network name from the list in step 3.

To choose a network and run the wallet, use the following command: 

vegawallet service run --network "NETWORK_NAME"
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To terminate the process, if you want to run other commands in Vega Wallet for example, use ctrl+c.

5. Approve transactions​

You will need to use your wallet to approve any transactions that you create for the Vega network. You might create those transactions through the governance dApp or when using the APIs, for example.

When a transaction is submitted, you will receive a prompt asking if you want to approve the transaction.

Choose y to approve or n to reject the transaction.

Pre-approve transactions​

Alternatively, you can automatically approve all transactions that are created, by skipping the review, while the wallet is running with the auto-consent flag: 

vegawallet service run --network "NETWORK_NAME" --automatic-consent

Wallet API​

See the Wallet API documentation if you're looking to use the Vega Wallet with a script or trading bot, or want to integrate with the wallet software.