In brief, Darkwire enables users to send Bitcoin transactions via LoRa radio in areas lacking internet, power, or cellular connectivity. The technology facilitates transactions that hop from node to node until reaching an internet-connected exit point capable of broadcasting to the Bitcoin network. The system specifically addresses the needs of individuals in censored regions, disaster-stricken areas, and privacy-conscious users aiming to escape surveillance.
### New Open-Source Project for Bitcoin Transactions
A novel open-source initiative, known as Darkwire, has emerged to allow users without Internet access to transmit Bitcoin transactions. This project was introduced at the Bitcoin 2025 Official Hackathon and employs long-range radio technology to facilitate communication in off-grid environments. The brainchild of a pseudonymous developer named ‘cyber’, who is currently studying artificial intelligence and machine learning, Darkwire aims to fill a critical gap in communication.
### Addressing Communication Challenges
In an interview with Decrypt, cyber elaborated on the necessity of Darkwire in scenarios where conventional communication methods—such as the internet, power grids, or cellular networks—are either unavailable or tightly controlled. They cited examples of regions with heavy censorship, like the Rafah Crossing and the Indo-Tibetan border, as well as areas devastated by disasters where traditional infrastructure may be compromised. Cyber emphasized that Darkwire is tailored for users who prioritize privacy or wish to circumvent surveillance, noting that the platform is not intended for casual Bitcoin users. They compared Darkwire to Tor, a network designed for anonymous internet browsing, stating that while Bitcoin offers some level of privacy, it falters when access to the internet is severed.
### How Darkwire Operates
Cyber explained that Darkwire utilizes Long Range Radio (LoRa) technology to establish a decentralized mesh network, enabling devices to transmit small data packets, including text messages or Bitcoin transactions, over several kilometers without relying on standard internet connections, cellular networks, or satellites. They clarified that at least one node in the network must be connected to the internet to facilitate the transaction’s entry into the blockchain for miner verification.
### Node-to-Node Communication
In addition to long-range radio transceivers, Darkwire incorporates microcontrollers, such as Arduino UNO, to create a decentralized mesh network where multiple nodes connect without a central access point. Users can send Bitcoin transactions through the Darkwire graphical user interface (GUI) by entering the recipient’s address and the transaction amount using a local wallet managed by bitcoinlib, a Python library. The Darkwire GUI then generates a signed raw Bitcoin transaction in hexadecimal format, which is sent from the user’s computer to a Darkwire node—combining both microcontroller and LoRa device. Cyber elaborated that this node processes the transaction data, fragments it if needed, and transmits it wirelessly using LoRa.
### Transaction Relay Process
Under ideal conditions, a Darkwire node can transmit data over a direct line of sight up to 10 kilometers, though in urban areas, the effective range typically drops to between 3 and 5 kilometers. In the mesh network, other Darkwire nodes receive these data packets and relay them, continuously forwarding the information until it reaches a designated node with internet access. This exit node broadcasts the verified raw Bitcoin transaction to the global Bitcoin network for inclusion in a block.
### Future Development Plans
Currently, Darkwire is still in the development phase as part of the Bitcoin 2025 Official Hackathon, but cyber has ambitions to evolve the project into a comprehensive open-source platform, aiming for it to become the standard for LoRa-based communication. They expressed gratitude for any contributions from the open-source community, highlighting that several features, including UTXO retrieval for messages, message encryption, and integration with Nostr (an open-source messaging protocol), have yet to be implemented.
### Recognizing Limitations and Potential
Acknowledging that Darkwire is a work in progress, cyber pointed out some existing limitations, such as the low bandwidth of LoRa radio and its susceptibility to terrain obstacles. Additionally, the reliance on internet exit nodes presents potential failure points. However, as Darkwire networks expand, these challenges are expected to be mitigated, empowering Bitcoin users in restrictive environments to send transactions to validators around the globe. In a world increasingly leaning towards authoritarianism, Darkwire could become an essential resource for those needing to express dissenting views and further Bitcoin’s adoption. Cyber expressed hope that individuals in oppressive regimes could leverage Darkwire to share their narratives and truths.
