> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cakewallet.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cakewallet.com/cryptos/decred.md).

# Decred

Official Website: [decred.org](https://decred.org/)

{% hint style="warning" %}
Due to how much data the Decred wallet requires, it will make your Cake wallet backup very large, and in some cases can cause the backup creation to fail.
{% endhint %}

Decred `(DCR)` is a blockchain-based cryptocurrency with a strong focus on community input, open governance, and sustainable funding for development. It utilizes a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mining system to ensure that a small group cannot dominate the flow of transactions or make changes to Decred without the input of the community. A unit of the currency is called a decred (DCR).

Stakeholders make and enforce the blockchain's consensus rules, set a course for future development, and decide how the project's treasury is used to fund it. Decred's blockchain is similar to Bitcoin's, but with major aspects of governance baked into the protocol.

To align incentives, block rewards are split between Proof-of-Work (PoW) miners, stakeholders and the Decred Treasury, which funds the project.

## Seed Format

Since Cake Wallet v6.4.2, new Decred wallets use the standard **BIP39 seed** — 12 or 24 words, chosen when you create the wallet, with an optional seed passphrase under `Advanced Settings`. Like other BIP39 currencies, Decred wallets can then join a [wallet group](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/managing-your-wallet/wallet-groups) and share one seed with your other Cake Wallet currencies.

When restoring, Cake Wallet accepts either a 12- or 24-word BIP39 seed or the original **native Decred seed** (15 words) — there is no seed-type selector; the format is detected from what you enter. Decred wallets created before v6.4.2 keep their original 15-word seed and continue to work exactly as before.

{% hint style="info" %}
The legacy 15-word native Decred seed is not a BIP39 seed, so a wallet restored from one **cannot** join a wallet group. To get your Decred balance into a group, create a new Decred wallet with `Create New Wallet` → `Choose Wallet Group` (it shares the group's BIP39 seed), then send your funds to it.
{% endhint %}

## Addresses

Cake automatically generates a new Decred address after each use for better privacy. Previous addresses continue to work.

![Decred receive screen in Cake Wallet](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.4.2/decred_01_receive.png)

## Fees

Decred network fees are paid in DCR. Cake Wallet offers three fee levels:

* **Slow**: Cheaper but may take longer to confirm.
* **Medium**: Recommended for most transactions, and the default. Balanced speed and cost.
* **Fast**: Expensive but confirms quickly.

There is no `Custom` fee option for Decred — that is Bitcoin-only. Decred fees are typically very low.

![Choosing a Decred transaction fee in Cake Wallet](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cake-tech/docs-assets/main/v6.3.1/decred_04_fees.png)

## Coin control

Decred supports [coin control](https://docs.cakewallet.com/features/advanced/coin-control), which lets you choose exactly which coins (unspent outputs) you spend in a transaction. This gives you finer control over your privacy and your fees.

## SPV Sync

The Decred wallet in Cake uses SPV (Simplified Payment Verification), which gives you strong privacy without downloading the entire blockchain: the wallet only downloads the blocks it has transactions in, and no server ever learns which transactions are yours.

Syncing this way uses more data and time than a typical light wallet, where servers check for your transactions on your behalf — but that convenience comes at a real privacy cost, which SPV avoids.

{% hint style="warning" %}
SPV sync requires an initial synchronization when the wallet is created, which may use a lot of data. Make sure you are not on a metered network before starting.
{% endhint %}

For more detailed info on how SPV sync works, please refer to the official [Decred documentation](https://docs.decred.org/wallets/spv/).


---

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