Trust Wallet Technical Architecture

Comprehensive breakdown of multi-chain crypto wallet implementation

Technical Overview

Trust Wallet implements a non-custodial, multi-chain cryptocurrency wallet architecture that supports over 70+ blockchains including both EVM-compatible and non-EVM networks. The wallet leverages hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet technology with military-grade encryption.

Multi-Chain

70+ blockchains supported

Non-Custodial

Users control private keys

Open Source

Transparent & auditable

Multi-Chain Support Architecture

EVM Compatible Networks

// EVM Network Configuration
const EVMNetworks = {
  ethereum: {
    chainId: 1,
    rpc: "https://ethereum.publicnode.com",
    explorer: "https://etherscan.io"
  },
  bsc: {
    chainId: 56,
    rpc: "https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org",
    explorer: "https://bscscan.com"
  },
  polygon: {
    chainId: 137,
    rpc: "https://polygon-rpc.com",
    explorer: "https://polygonscan.com"
  }
}
  • • Shared address derivation (secp256k1)
  • • Compatible transaction signing
  • • Unified gas estimation
  • • Smart contract interaction

Non-EVM Networks

// Non-EVM Network Adapters
const NonEVMNetworks = {
  bitcoin: {
    addressType: "P2WPKH",
    curve: "secp256k1",
    derivation: "m/84'/0'/0'"
  },
  cosmos: {
    addressPrefix: "cosmos",
    curve: "secp256k1", 
    derivation: "m/44'/118'/0'/0"
  },
  solana: {
    curve: "ed25519",
    derivation: "m/44'/501'"
  }
}
  • • Custom signature algorithms
  • • Network-specific derivations
  • • Protocol-native features
  • • Specialized transaction formats

Encryption & Security Model

Key Management

// HD Wallet Implementation
class HDWallet {
  constructor(entropy) {
    // Generate seed from entropy
    this.seed = pbkdf2(entropy, 'mnemonic', 2048, 64, 'sha512');
    this.masterKey = hmacSha512('ed25519 seed', this.seed);
  }
  
  deriveKey(path) {
    // BIP-44 derivation: m/44'/coin_type'/account'/change/index
    return this.derivePath(path);
  }
  
  encrypt(privateKey, password) {
    // AES-256-GCM encryption
    const salt = crypto.randomBytes(32);
    const key = scrypt(password, salt, 32);
    const cipher = crypto.createCipher('aes-256-gcm', key);
    return cipher.update(privateKey) + cipher.final();
  }
}

Security Layers

Device Security

  • • Secure Enclave/TEE storage
  • • Biometric authentication
  • • Anti-tampering detection

Cryptographic Security

  • • AES-256-GCM encryption
  • • PBKDF2/Scrypt key derivation
  • • Perfect forward secrecy

Application Security

  • • Certificate pinning
  • • Runtime protection
  • • Memory encryption

Backup & Recovery Process

1. Seed Generation

12/24-word BIP-39 mnemonic phrases derived from cryptographically secure entropy

entropy → mnemonic → seed → master_key

2. Secure Backup

Encrypted local storage with multiple backup verification steps

encrypt(seed, user_password) → secure_storage

3. Recovery

Cross-platform wallet restoration using seed phrase verification

mnemonic → validate → restore_wallet

Backup Security Best Practices

  • • Never store seed phrases digitally
  • • Use metal backup plates for durability
  • • Verify backup before funding wallet
  • • Store multiple copies in secure locations
  • • Consider multi-sig for large amounts
  • • Regular backup verification testing

dApp Connection Architecture

WalletConnect Protocol

// WalletConnect v2 Implementation
class WalletConnectHandler {
  async initializeSession(uri) {
    const session = await this.client.connect({
      uri,
      requiredNamespaces: {
        eip155: {
          methods: ['eth_sendTransaction', 'personal_sign'],
          chains: ['eip155:1', 'eip155:56'],
          events: ['accountsChanged', 'chainChanged']
        }
      }
    });
    return session;
  }
  
  async signTransaction(request) {
    // Validate request
    const validated = await this.validateRequest(request);
    
    // Show user confirmation UI
    const approved = await this.requestUserApproval(validated);
    
    if (approved) {
      return await this.wallet.signTransaction(request.params);
    }
    throw new Error('User rejected request');
  }
}

In-App Browser Integration

JavaScript Bridge

Injected ethereum provider for seamless web3 interaction

Security Sandbox

Isolated execution environment with permission controls

Transaction Preview

Human-readable transaction summaries and risk analysis

User Onboarding Flow

1

Wallet Creation

Generate new wallet or import existing seed

  • Entropy generation verification
  • Seed phrase display & confirmation
  • Security education
2

Security Setup

Configure authentication and backup

  • Biometric authentication setup
  • PIN/password configuration
  • Backup verification test
3

Network Selection

Choose supported blockchain networks

  • Multi-chain education
  • Default network selection
  • Custom RPC configuration
4

First Transaction

Guided test transaction experience

  • Test network usage
  • Transaction explanation
  • Fee estimation tutorial

Security Best Practices

Developer Guidelines

  • Code Auditing: Regular security audits by third-party firms
  • Open Source: Core wallet logic publicly auditable
  • Secure Dependencies: Vetted cryptographic libraries only
  • Bug Bounty: Continuous vulnerability disclosure program

User Guidelines

  • Official Downloads: Only install from official app stores
  • Phishing Protection: Verify URLs and never share seed phrases
  • Regular Updates: Keep wallet software up to date
  • Hardware Security: Use secure devices and enable device encryption

Technical Specifications

Cryptography

  • Hash: SHA-256, RIPEMD-160
  • Signing: ECDSA, EdDSA
  • Curves: secp256k1, ed25519
  • Encryption: AES-256-GCM
  • KDF: PBKDF2, scrypt

Standards

  • BIP-32: HD Wallets
  • BIP-39: Mnemonic Phrases
  • BIP-44: Multi-Account
  • EIP-155: Replay Protection
  • EIP-1559: Fee Markets

Protocols

  • WalletConnect: v2.0
  • Web3: EIP-1193
  • JSON-RPC: 2.0
  • WebSocket: Real-time
  • HTTPS: TLS 1.3