8 ms·

You don't have to download the whole block-chain to use bitcoin.

• simcop2387 12y ago
  While true, I don't believe many clients make it easy to do that still.
  • dustcoin 12y ago
    Nearly every mobile client does not download the blockchain and instead uses SPV (Simple Payment Verification / headers only mode) or relies on a trusted server for block information.
  • tlrobinson 12y ago
    Electrum and MultiBit on the desktop are SPV clients.
    • simcop2387 12y ago
      Ah I didn't know about them. I'll have to check them out, I've had annoyances in the past because i never leave bitcoin-qt open to keep it in sync.
• koberstein 12y ago
  This.