Bitcoin Core
Bitcoin Core is the reference implementation of the Bitcoin protocol, used to run a full node on the Bitcoin network. It allows users to validate transactions, maintain a copy of the blockchain, and send and receive bitcoin. Bitcoin Core serves miners, merchants, developers, and users who want full control and privacy without relying on third-party services. The application includes both a GUI (Bitcoin-Qt) and a command-line interface (bitcoind), and is the most widely used and trusted Bitcoin software in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
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1 suggestionBitcoin Core has supported Apple Silicon natively since version 23.0, released in 2023. If you are running an older Intel-only build, download the latest version from bitcoincore.org — the official download page will automatically serve the native Universal Binary for M-series Macs. Simply install it and run it; your existing wallet and blockchain data will be preserved. However, be aware that Apple is increasingly requiring code signing and notarization for macOS binaries, which has made Bitcoin Core development on macOS more complex for the volunteer-led project. The developers remain committed to macOS support, but staying current with updates from bitcoincore.org is important to ensure you have the latest native build and security patches. Since native support is now available, there is no barrier to upgrading and you will see better performance and battery life compared to running the Intel build under Rosetta 2.
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