Keylay

Overview

Keylay is an ongoing project to build a browser-based tool for coordinating remote multisig wallet setup and signing. It uses local, air-gapped QR code scanning, SD-card file transfers, and encrypted relay channels to enable remote, censorship-resistant collaboration among signers—without requiring accounts or centralized services or compromise of air-gapped devices.

Description

This project will develop Keylay, a lightweight, browser-based tool that enables remote participants in a multisig bitcoin wallet to coordinate setup and signing workflows without relying on centralized tools or exposing sensitive data or signing devices. In essence, Keylay acts as a bridge, bringing remote participants virtually into the same room so they can share QR codes or transfer SD card files without violating the air gap of their individual wallets.

Keylay lets a Sender share an address, an xpub, a wallet descriptor, or a partially signed bitcoin transaction (PSBT) with one or more Receivers securely and in real-time. This works as follows: 1) A QR code or a file is shared locally between an air-gapped device and an internet-connected device, 2) the information is sent securely and privately to a remote internet-connected device, and 3) the remote air-gapped device retrieves the information from the remote internet-connected device with a local QR code scan or file share on that end. Multiple options for both input and output format maximize compatibility among signing wallets. An encrypted two-way channel is established through a shared code using Nostr relays or WebSocket as a fallback.

All coordination is done through a clean, single-page web app, allowing for spontaneous and private sessions without sign-up, tracking, or persistent storage. Keylay will be fully open source and usable on minimal infrastructure, including both phones and laptops—perfect for NGOs, journalists, or dissidents operating under restrictive regimes.

Better Bitcoin Security

The Need for Freedom Technology

Multisig bitcoin custody is an absolute must for safe bitcoin storage because 1) bitcoin is permissionless and 2) multisig eliminates single points of failure in the cases of both loss or theft of keys. Multisig custody is particularly important in use cases where custody needs to be shared and where one or more signing parties may become unavailable. For instance, a 2-of-3 multisig wallet requires two parties to sign for funds. So the theft or seizure of one key doesn't allow the key holder to control the funds; the loss of one key still allows the funds to be moved with the two remaining keys.

Multisig Weaknesses

Unfortunately, existing multisig coordination methods are inadequate for these use cases. To maintain the air gap of signing wallets, signers may be forced to meet in person to set up or sign transactions, exposing them to surveillance or theft of funds. Otherwise, they may choose to rely on centralized platforms for communication, compromising their privacy. Workarounds for remote signing often require clunky transfers of setup data and signatures. This introduces a great deal of friction and tempts vulnerable users to compromise their privacy or the security of their funds by communicating sensitive data over insecure channels or failing to maintain an air-gapped signing device.

The Solution: Keylay

Keylay removes the barriers to remote multisig by allowing signers to share wallet setup and signing data using QR codes and peer-to-peer relay over secure channels (WebSocket or Nostr). It makes multisig coordination more attractive and easier by offering a free, open-source, and censorship-resistant bridge for coordination data while maintaining air-gapped signing devices. This enables ordinary bitcoiners to safely maintain self-custody and human rights defenders to safely share responsibility for funds.

Urgency

Bitcoin usage and bitcoin-based human rights funding are growing. That reality makes it essential that tools like Keylay exist right now—not just in the distant future—to safely manage such funds. State actors are expanding their surveillance capabilities with AI-driven pattern analysis and other sophisticated tools. An app that reduces friction for setting up and using the highest-quality custody solutions is urgently needed to help bitcoin users of all types manage their funds safely.

Keylay fills a crucial usability gap in multisig. Coordination of remote, air-gapped multisig wallets remains challenging. Keylay is the missing layer that allows signers—especially in hostile environments—to set up and operate multisig wallets privately, without being co-located or online at the same time. It works in a browser, operates on any platform, and minimizes metadata exposure while remaining simple to use.

Keylay offers frictionless, private, location-independent multisig setup. Journalists, NGOs, or movement treasuries will find this a powerful tool for collaborative custody without trusted intermediaries.

Roadmap

Version

Pre-Alpha

Current Features

  • Session bootstrapping with short code to WebConnect demo
  • Scans a static QR code locally and displays it to remote participants
  • Decodes and displays the QR code payload

Future Features

  • Animated, bitcoin-standard UR2 QR codes
  • Local file I/O
  • Bootstrapping connection via Nostr
  • Integrated Tor support and relay diversity