- OWS supports EVM, Solana, Bitcoin, and more using one BIP 39 seed and unified wallet interface.
- OWS signs transactions locally with no cloud calls, reducing latency and third party dependency.
- 21 organizations including PayPal and Circle launch OWS as open standard for agent wallets.
New Open Wallet Standard Solves Crypto Key Chaos for AI Agents as developers seek safer ways to manage private keys. The newly introduced Open Wallet Standard aims to create a unified system for wallet storage and transaction signing across multiple blockchains.
Open Wallet Standard Introduced as Unified Wallet Layer
The Open Wallet Standard, known as OWS, has been released as an open source protocol. It provides a single interface for storing keys and signing transactions across major blockchains. The system is designed for AI agents and developer tools.
— MoonPay 🟣 (@moonpay) March 23, 2026
The protocol supports multiple chains through one encrypted vault. It allows developers to manage wallets without handling raw private keys directly. The design focuses on local storage and avoids dependency on external services.
The developers stated, “One vault, one interface, every chain.” This reflects the goal of simplifying wallet management while maintaining compatibility across ecosystems.
Addressing Key Storage Risks in Current Systems
Current systems often store private keys in environment files or application memory. These methods can expose sensitive data through logs or system errors. Each blockchain also requires separate libraries and formats.
This fragmented setup creates multiple points where keys can be exposed. Developers must manage different tools for Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin. This increases operational risk and complexity.
OWS introduces encrypted storage using AES 256 GCM and a scrypt key derivation method. The system decrypts keys only during signing and removes them from memory immediately after use. This reduces exposure during runtime.
Local First Architecture Removes Need for Cloud SigningOWS uses a local-first model where all signing operations run on the user’s system. This approach removes the need for cloud based key management services. It also reduces latency linked to remote calls.
Cloud solutions often require network requests for each transaction signature. These requests can add delays and create reliance on third party systems. OWS avoids these issues by keeping operations within the local environment.
The system ensures that private keys never leave the device. Network interaction only occurs when broadcasting signed transactions. This model aligns with the growing use of self hosted AI systems.
Industry Support and Integration Across Ecosystems
The Open Wallet Standard launched with support from 21 organizations. These include PayPal, Ripple, Circle, Solana Foundation, and Ethereum Foundation. Several partners have started integrating the protocol into their tools.
The standard defines modules for storage, signing, and wallet lifecycle management. It also includes a policy engine and an agent access layer. These components allow consistent integration across platforms.
Developers can access the protocol through Node and Python libraries. The core system is written in Rust for performance and security.
The project is available through open repositories, and contributors can review and extend the standard.OWS serves as a shared wallet layer for payment protocols such as x402 and MPP. It provides a consistent method for signing and key management across applications.
