Tracking your Bitcoin portfolio value is a legitimate need : knowing how many sats you have, what it represents in EUR, how the position moved over 30 days or 3 years. The trap is the method. Most mainstream trackers ask for public addresses or worse, take the whole walletWalletSoftware or device that manages your Bitcoin keys and lets you sign transactions. A wallet does not really « hold » your bitcoins, it holds the keys that prove you own them.See in the lexicon → in custodyCustodyThe custody of funds. See self-custody and custodial in the dedicated section below.See in the lexicon →. Communicating a public address to a centralised service lets that service link your identity (account, email, IP) to all transactions received on that address and resell that data.
Good tracking hygiene applies the same principle as the rest of self-custodySelf-custodyModel in which you hold your own private keys. Your bitcoins depend on no third party. This is Bitcoin's founding promise.See in the lexicon → : data does not leave the perimeter you control. Either the tracker runs locally on your machine and reads the chain through your own nodeNodeComputer that runs the Bitcoin software and takes part in the network by validating blocks and transactions. A « full node » keeps a complete copy of the blockchain.See in the lexicon →, or it queries a public APIAPI (Application Programming Interface)Interface that lets one program query another program or service. mempool.space exposes a public API for querying the chain.See in the lexicon → while revealing nothing personal, or you keep an encrypted spreadsheet yourself.
This article reviews the serious tools in 2026 : Sparrow Wallet's and Specter Desktop's portfolio tab, MempoolMempoolWaiting area where Bitcoin transactions sit before being included in a block. The fuller the mempool, the higher the fees required.See in the lexicon → Goggles launched in 2024 by the mempool.spacemempool.spaceReference open-source Bitcoin explorer in 2026. Visualisation of blocks, fees and the mempool. Launched by Wiz and the mempool.space team.See in the lexicon → team, Liana Wallet, a few mobile alternatives, the encrypted spreadsheet method, and ends with the centralised trackers to avoid.
Why track without giving out your public addresses
The Bitcoin blockchainBlockchainA public, shared ledger that records every Bitcoin transaction in blocks linked together cryptographically. Each participant in the network keeps a copy.See in the lexicon → is public : anyone who knows one of your addresses can see the balance, the full history of inputs and outputs, and follow the chain to subsequent UTXOs. That is by design. The problem starts as soon as a service ties an address to a real identity : a tracker account with verified email and addresses pasted in is a ready-made marketing file for whoever buys the data.
Three typical leak families. One, the tracker service itself sells data to chain analytics firms (Chainalysis, Elliptic) or to advertisers. Two, the service is hacked and the user base (email plus Bitcoin addresses) leaks publicly, example LedgerLedger, Trezor, Coldcard, BitBoxMain hardware wallet brands. Ledger Nano S Plus / X (French, the best-seller), Trezor Model T (Czech, open source), Coldcard Mk4 (Canadian, ultra-secure, Bitcoin-only), BitBox02 (Swiss, open source).See in the lexicon → 2020. Three, the service shuts down abruptly and data is sold to the brand acquirer, case Blockfolio turned FTXFTXCentralised exchange that collapsed spectacularly in November 2022. Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted. Dragged Blockfolio and many funds down with it.See in the lexicon → then gone in November 2022.
A well-designed tracker reads balances via your local Bitcoin nodeNodeComputer that runs the Bitcoin software and takes part in the network by validating blocks and transactions. A « full node » keeps a complete copy of the blockchain.See in the lexicon → (private by construction), or via an Electrum server you control, or via a public APIAPI (Application Programming Interface)Interface that lets one program query another program or service. mempool.space exposes a public API for querying the chain.See in the lexicon → without authentication (read-only, no account, no email). No identifiable info leaves your premises. That is the standard to aim for.
Sparrow Wallet and Specter Desktop : tracking integrated into the wallet
Sparrow WalletWalletSoftware or device that manages your Bitcoin keys and lets you sign transactions. A wallet does not really « hold » your bitcoins, it holds the keys that prove you own them.See in the lexicon → (covered in detail in the dedicated topic Tools article) natively integrates a portfolio tab. For each loaded wallet, it shows balances by UTXOUTXO (Unspent Transaction Output)« Chunk » of bitcoin received and not yet spent. A wallet does not have a single balance, it has a collection of UTXOs whose sum makes up the balance.See in the lexicon →, the live fiatFiat (fiat currency)State currency with legal tender status (euro, Swiss franc, dollar), issued by a central bank and not backed by a physical asset. By contrast, Bitcoin has an issuance capped at 21 million units, with no central issuer.See in the lexicon → value via a configurable exchangeExchangeService that lets you buy, sell and swap cryptocurrencies against fiat money. Examples : Kraken, Coinbase, Bitstamp, Bitvavo. Most are custodial.See in the lexicon → rate (Coingecko, Kraken or other public source), the transaction history with fiat amount at transaction date, and a valuation graph over the chosen period. All of this locally : balance data comes from the nodeNodeComputer that runs the Bitcoin software and takes part in the network by validating blocks and transactions. A « full node » keeps a complete copy of the blockchain.See in the lexicon → you configured (Bitcoin CoreBitcoin CoreReference implementation of the Bitcoin software, written in C++ and maintained by an open-source community. This is the software that most nodes run.See in the lexicon → or personal Electrum), the exchange rate comes from a public APIAPI (Application Programming Interface)Interface that lets one program query another program or service. mempool.space exposes a public API for querying the chain.See in the lexicon → without authentication.
Specter Desktop works on the same principle, with a particular focus on multisigMultisig (multi-signature)Configuration where a transaction must be signed by several independent keys to be valid (for example 2 of 3). Reduces the risk that a single key theft causes loss of funds.See in the lexicon → wallets. The portfolio tab aggregates several wallets (single-sig and multisig) if you have loaded several, gives a global total, and lets you export everything to CSV for accounting or tax. Specter is the tool of choice if you have several setups (a hot walletHot walletWallet connected to the Internet (mobile, desktop or online). Convenient for small amounts and fast payments, but more exposed to attacks.See in the lexicon →, a single-sig hardware walletHardware walletSmall dedicated device (Ledger, Trezor, Coldcard, BitBox, etc.) that keeps the private key away from a potentially compromised computer. Signs transactions inside the device itself.See in the lexicon →, a shared 2-of-3 multisig) that you want to see at once.
Common limit : these two tools track what is in the wallets you have loaded into them. If you also keep sats on a mobile Lightning wallet, on a short-term exchange, or in a cold vaultVaultCustody setup for long-term storage, often multisig, kept offline and touched rarely.See in the lexicon → intentionally not loaded, those balances do not show up. It is consistent with the security model (seed separation) but requires manual consolidationConsolidation (UTXO batching)Merging several small UTXOs into one during a low-fee period, to avoid paying dearly when spending them later. A common wallet management practice.See in the lexicon → if you want the real total value.
Mempool Goggles : the mempool.space team tracker (2024)
MempoolMempoolWaiting area where Bitcoin transactions sit before being included in a block. The fuller the mempool, the higher the fees required.See in the lexicon → Goggles is a project launched in 2024 by the mempool.spacemempool.spaceReference open-source Bitcoin explorer in 2026. Visualisation of blocks, fees and the mempool. Launched by Wiz and the mempool.space team.See in the lexicon → team, the famous open-source explorer that equips most full-stack nodes (UmbrelUmbrelEquivalent distribution for mini-PCs or Raspberry Pi, with a polished web interface and an app store (BTCPay, mempool.space, Sparrow Server, and so on).See in the lexicon →, Start9Start9 (StartOS)Umbrel alternative focused on sovereignty and privacy. More technically demanding, more rigorous on privacy.See in the lexicon →, RaspiBlitzRaspiBlitzReady-made software distribution that turns a Raspberry Pi into a Bitcoin and Lightning node. A pioneer of the genre, with an active German-speaking community.See in the lexicon →). The idea : turn the fine knowledge of the mempool and the chain into an xpubxpub (extended public key)Extended public key. Lets a read-only wallet see addresses and balances without being able to sign. Used for tracking and observation.See in the lexicon →-based tracking tool. You provide the extended public keyPublic keyNumber derived mathematically from the private key, used to build a Bitcoin address. Can be shared freely.See in the lexicon → (xpub) of your walletWalletSoftware or device that manages your Bitcoin keys and lets you sign transactions. A wallet does not really « hold » your bitcoins, it holds the keys that prove you own them.See in the lexicon →, Mempool Goggles derives all addresses, reads balances and history via the mempool.space nodeNodeComputer that runs the Bitcoin software and takes part in the network by validating blocks and transactions. A « full node » keeps a complete copy of the blockchain.See in the lexicon →, and displays a fiatFiat (fiat currency)State currency with legal tender status (euro, Swiss franc, dollar), issued by a central bank and not backed by a physical asset. By contrast, Bitcoin has an issuance capped at 21 million units, with no central issuer.See in the lexicon → value dashboard plus history.
The self-hosted mode is the strong point. Mempool Goggles is open sourceOpen sourceSoftware whose source code is public and modifiable by anyone. A fundamental auditability guarantee in Bitcoin.See in the lexicon → (MIT licence, GitHubGitHubWeb platform that hosts most of the world's open-source projects, including Bitcoin Core, electrs, BDK and LDK. Lets you read the code, browse change history and submit contributions.See in the lexicon → repoRepo (repository)Code repository on GitHub or an equivalent platform. The Bitcoin Core repo is github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin.See in the lexicon → mempool/goggles), and runs alongside a self-hosted mempool.space instance. For Umbrel or Start9 users already running mempool.space on their node, adding Goggles is a matter of minutes : install the app, load the Sparrow or Specter watch-onlyWatch-onlyMode in which a wallet observes balances and address history without holding the private key. Used to monitor a cold vault from a less secure device.See in the lexicon → xpub, the dashboard appears. The tracker reads your own node, no data leaves.
The public hosted mode is more fragile in privacy terms. mempool.space offers a free hosted version. If you paste your xpub there, you communicate the xpub to mempool.space, which can then link the key to your connection IP. It is less exposing than a custodialCustodialModel in which a third party (exchange, broker, neobank) holds your private keys for you. You have a claim, not a bitcoin. « Not your keys, not your coins ».See in the lexicon → service (the xpub lets you read but not sign), but it remains to be avoided if you want serious confidentiality. Only do it with a test wallet xpub or via Tor.
Liana Wallet and mobile alternatives
Liana WalletWalletSoftware or device that manages your Bitcoin keys and lets you sign transactions. A wallet does not really « hold » your bitcoins, it holds the keys that prove you own them.See in the lexicon → (published by Wizardsardine, the French team behind Revault) is an open-source desktop wallet focused on inheritance and spending conditions (decay timelocks for transmission). It also offers a basic portfolio tab : live fiatFiat (fiat currency)State currency with legal tender status (euro, Swiss franc, dollar), issued by a central bank and not backed by a physical asset. By contrast, Bitcoin has an issuance capped at 21 million units, with no central issuer.See in the lexicon → value, UTXOUTXO (Unspent Transaction Output)« Chunk » of bitcoin received and not yet spent. A wallet does not have a single balance, it has a collection of UTXOs whose sum makes up the balance.See in the lexicon → history, balance graph. Liana works natively with a local Bitcoin CoreBitcoin CoreReference implementation of the Bitcoin software, written in C++ and maintained by an open-source community. This is the software that most nodes run.See in the lexicon → nodeNodeComputer that runs the Bitcoin software and takes part in the network by validating blocks and transactions. A « full node » keeps a complete copy of the blockchain.See in the lexicon → or a personal electrs. For those who use Liana for their inheritance setup, integrated tracking avoids having to load xpubs elsewhere.
On the mobile side, the offer is thinner because most mobile wallets are designed for fast spending, not for patrimonial tracking. A few serious options still : BlueWallet lets you import an xpubxpub (extended public key)Extended public key. Lets a read-only wallet see addresses and balances without being able to sign. Used for tracking and observation.See in the lexicon → in watch-onlyWatch-onlyMode in which a wallet observes balances and address history without holding the private key. Used to monitor a cold vault from a less secure device.See in the lexicon → and shows the balance plus fiat value, without asking for an account ; Nunchuk Wallet (mobile and desktop, multi-platform) offers a multi-wallet portfolio dashboard ; MempoolMempoolWaiting area where Bitcoin transactions sit before being included in a block. The fuller the mempool, the higher the fees required.See in the lexicon → Space on smartphone (the official mobile app launched late 2024) lets you watch an address or xpub in read mode, ideal for a quick check without installing a full wallet.
Encrypted spreadsheet method : LibreOffice plus VeraCrypt
For those who do not want to depend on any third-party tool, even open sourceOpen sourceSoftware whose source code is public and modifiable by anyone. A fundamental auditability guarantee in Bitcoin.See in the lexicon →, the encrypted spreadsheet method remains the most sovereign. An .ods (LibreOffice Calc) or .xlsx file documents your Bitcoin purchases (date, EUR amount, BTC received, source, fees), any sales, and the current balance. A column calculates the current value from an EUR/BTC rate entered manually (or via manual call to coingecko.com).
Encryption is key. Storing such a file in clear on a family PC is a bad idea : malware or a simple laptop thief accesses your list of Bitcoin positions directly. The VeraCrypt method solves it cleanly : create a VeraCrypt encrypted container (1 GB is plenty), mount the container when needed, put the spreadsheet in it, unmount at session end. Lighter alternative : encrypt the file directly with a strong passphrasePassphraseExtra word or phrase you add to your seed phrase to create a hidden wallet. Optional security layer, independent of the seed.See in the lexicon → via GPG or LibreOffice native encryption (Tools, Security Options, password).
What the spreadsheet method does and does not allow. It lets you consolidate ALL your sources (self-custodySelf-custodyModel in which you hold your own private keys. Your bitcoins depend on no third party. This is Bitcoin's founding promise.See in the lexicon → wallets, sats on exchangeExchangeService that lets you buy, sell and swap cryptocurrencies against fiat money. Examples : Kraken, Coinbase, Bitstamp, Bitvavo. Most are custodial.See in the lexicon →, sats on mobile Lightning, sats lent on Ledn) in a single table. It does not allow automatic update : you must re-enter periodically (once a month is reasonable) the current balances and the EUR rate. That is the price of full sovereignty.
Centralised trackers to avoid and choice by profile
Three centralised trackers still dominate the mainstream in 2026. They remain to be avoided for those who take self-custodySelf-custodyModel in which you hold your own private keys. Your bitcoins depend on no third party. This is Bitcoin's founding promise.See in the lexicon → seriously. Blockfolio, acquired by FTXFTXCentralised exchange that collapsed spectacularly in November 2022. Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted. Dragged Blockfolio and many funds down with it.See in the lexicon → in 2020 and rebranded FTX App, shut down abruptly on November 11, 2022 with the FTX bankruptcy. Users who had documented all their addresses there saw their data potentially transferred into the bankruptcy estate. CoinGecko Portfolio requires creating an account with email, links the account to the entered addresses, and publishes aggregate statistics that can enable inferences. CoinTracker is custodialCustodialModel in which a third party (exchange, broker, neobank) holds your private keys for you. You have a claim, not a bitcoin. « Not your keys, not your coins ».See in the lexicon → in model (OAuth read of exchangeExchangeService that lets you buy, sell and swap cryptocurrencies against fiat money. Examples : Kraken, Coinbase, Bitstamp, Bitvavo. Most are custodial.See in the lexicon → wallets and import of on-chain addresses).
Choice by profile. Minimal setup : Sparrow WalletWalletSoftware or device that manages your Bitcoin keys and lets you sign transactions. A wallet does not really « hold » your bitcoins, it holds the keys that prove you own them.See in the lexicon → alone, portfolio tab activated, is enough for those holding a single single-sig wallet. Multi-wallet setup : Specter Desktop for single-sig plus multisigMultisig (multi-signature)Configuration where a transaction must be signed by several independent keys to be valid (for example 2 of 3). Reduces the risk that a single key theft causes loss of funds.See in the lexicon → aggregation, plus a monthly encrypted spreadsheet to consolidate the exchange and Lightning. Full self-sovereign setup : UmbrelUmbrelEquivalent distribution for mini-PCs or Raspberry Pi, with a polished web interface and an app store (BTCPay, mempool.space, Sparrow Server, and so on).See in the lexicon → or Start9Start9 (StartOS)Umbrel alternative focused on sovereignty and privacy. More technically demanding, more rigorous on privacy.See in the lexicon → at home, self-hosted mempool.spacemempool.spaceReference open-source Bitcoin explorer in 2026. Visualisation of blocks, fees and the mempool. Launched by Wiz and the mempool.space team.See in the lexicon →, MempoolMempoolWaiting area where Bitcoin transactions sit before being included in a block. The fuller the mempool, the higher the fees required.See in the lexicon → Goggles in addition, plus VeraCrypt spreadsheet for the global picture. In all cases : zero xpubxpub (extended public key)Extended public key. Lets a read-only wallet see addresses and balances without being able to sign. Used for tracking and observation.See in the lexicon → sent to a public service in clear, zero tracker account with email plus pasted addresses.
Disclaimer
Educational and informational content only: not investment, tax or legal advice. Bitcoin carries significant risks, including high volatility and the possible loss of invested capital. Each reader remains responsible for their decisions; when in doubt, consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.
See also
For Sparrow WalletWalletSoftware or device that manages your Bitcoin keys and lets you sign transactions. A wallet does not really « hold » your bitcoins, it holds the keys that prove you own them.See in the lexicon → in detail, see Sparrow Wallet: multisig, PSBT, hardware. For overall security best practices, see Bitcoin security. For tax implications of portfolio tracking, see Bitcoin tax. for the overview, see Bitcoin tools.