Blockchain Offers Alpha Users First Look at New Bitcoin Wallet

Blockchain has officially opened a closed alpha for its new bitcoin wallet.

The launch precedes a formal debut that is likely to be the bitcoin wallet and block explorer provider's biggest announcement since it raised a then-record $30.5m Series A in October 2014. Nearly 3.8 million Blockchain wallet accounts have been opened since launch in 2011, according to its own statistics.

Following its most recent fundraising, Blockchain has been relatively quiet with new announcements, experiencing heavy user backlash amid security issues in December as well as an under-the-radar CEO change.

Alpha users, the company said, were carefully selected with the goal of providing feedback that could improve the product. As such, these users are currently able to get a first look at the service's new security center, improved account management and simplified interface, among other updates.

Blockchain co-founder Nic Cary indicated that the goal of the alpha was to allow the company to iterate the project based on the feedback of influential users.

Cary told CoinDesk:

"We've set up the alpha program to be a community driven development project. We've been soliciting feedback on what users want out of a future wallet in a live environment."

The company said it expects to update the alpha version of the product weekly ahead of its formal launch.

In the mean time, interested community members to register for the private alpha here.