diff --git a/crypto/keyring/alt_signing_algorithms.go b/crypto/keyring/alt_signing_algorithms.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..91a2f2e9d959
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crypto/keyring/alt_signing_algorithms.go
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+package keyring
+
+import "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
+
+type AltSigningAlgo interface {
+	Name() SigningAlgo
+	DeriveKey() AltDeriveKeyFunc
+	PrivKeyGen() AltPrivKeyGenFunc
+}
+
+type AltDeriveKeyFunc func(mnemonic string, bip39Passphrase, hdPath string) ([]byte, error)
+type AltPrivKeyGenFunc func(bz []byte) crypto.PrivKey
+
+type secp256k1Algo struct {
+}
+
+func (s secp256k1Algo) Name() SigningAlgo {
+	return Secp256k1
+}
+
+func (s secp256k1Algo) DeriveKey() AltDeriveKeyFunc {
+	return SecpDeriveKey
+}
+
+func (s secp256k1Algo) PrivKeyGen() AltPrivKeyGenFunc {
+	return SecpPrivKeyGen
+}
+
+var (
+	// Secp256k1 uses the Bitcoin secp256k1 ECDSA parameters.
+	AltSecp256k1 = secp256k1Algo{}
+)
+
+type AltSigningAlgoList []AltSigningAlgo
+
+func (l AltSigningAlgoList) Contains(algo AltSigningAlgo) bool {
+	for _, cAlgo := range l {
+		if cAlgo.Name() == algo.Name() {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/crypto/keyring/alt_signing_algorithms_test.go b/crypto/keyring/alt_signing_algorithms_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2db5545e2bcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crypto/keyring/alt_signing_algorithms_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+package keyring
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestAltSigningAlgoList_Contains(t *testing.T) {
+	list := AltSigningAlgoList{
+		AltSecp256k1,
+	}
+
+	assert.True(t, list.Contains(AltSecp256k1))
+	assert.False(t, list.Contains(notSupportedAlgo{}))
+}
+
+type notSupportedAlgo struct {
+}
+
+func (n notSupportedAlgo) Name() SigningAlgo {
+	return "notSupported"
+}
+
+func (n notSupportedAlgo) DeriveKey() AltDeriveKeyFunc {
+	return SecpDeriveKey
+}
+
+func (n notSupportedAlgo) PrivKeyGen() AltPrivKeyGenFunc {
+	return SecpPrivKeyGen
+}
diff --git a/crypto/keyring/altkeyring.go b/crypto/keyring/altkeyring.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..7730628bbe78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crypto/keyring/altkeyring.go
@@ -0,0 +1,549 @@
+package keyring
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/99designs/keyring"
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
+	cryptoAmino "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/encoding/amino"
+
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/hd"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
+	"github.com/cosmos/go-bip39"
+	tmcrypto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
+)
+
+var (
+	_ Keyring = &altKeyring{}
+)
+
+// Keyring exposes operations on a generic keystore
+type Keyring interface {
+	// List all keys.
+	List() ([]Info, error)
+
+	// Key and KeyByAddress return keys by uid and address respectively.
+	Key(uid string) (Info, error)
+	KeyByAddress(address types.Address) (Info, error)
+
+	//// Delete and DeleteByAddress remove keys.
+	Delete(uid string) error
+	DeleteByAddress(address types.Address) error
+
+	// NewMnemonic generates a new mnemonic, derives a hierarchical deterministic
+	// key from that, and persists it to storage. Returns the generated mnemonic and the key
+	// Info. It returns an error if it fails to generate a key for the given algo type, or if
+	// another key is already stored under the same name.
+	NewMnemonic(uid string, language Language, algo AltSigningAlgo) (Info, string, error)
+
+	// NewAccount converts a mnemonic to a private key and BIP-39 HD Path  and persists it.
+	NewAccount(uid, mnemonic, bip39Passwd, hdPath string, algo AltSigningAlgo) (Info, error)
+
+	// SaveLedgerKey retrieves a public key reference from a Ledger device and persists it.
+	SaveLedgerKey(uid string, algo AltSigningAlgo, hrp string, account, index uint32) (Info, error)
+
+	// SavePubKey stores a public key and returns the persisted Info structure.
+	SavePubKey(uid string, pubkey tmcrypto.PubKey, algo AltSigningAlgo) (Info, error)
+
+	// SaveMultisig stores, stores, and returns a new multsig (offline) key reference
+	SaveMultisig(uid string, pubkey tmcrypto.PubKey) (Info, error)
+
+	Signer
+
+	Importer
+	Exporter
+}
+
+// Signer is implemented by key stores that want to provide signing capabilities.
+type Signer interface {
+	// Sign sign byte messages with a user key.
+	Sign(uid string, msg []byte) ([]byte, tmcrypto.PubKey, error)
+
+	// SignByAddress sign byte messages with a user key providing the address.
+	SignByAddress(address types.Address, msg []byte) ([]byte, tmcrypto.PubKey, error)
+}
+
+// Importer is implemented by key stores that support import of public and private keys.
+type Importer interface {
+	ImportPrivKey(uid, armor, passphrase string) error
+	ImportPubKey(uid string, armor string) error
+}
+
+// Exporter is implemented by key stores that support export of public and private keys.
+type Exporter interface {
+	// Export public key
+	ExportPubKeyArmor(uid string) (string, error)
+	ExportPubKeyArmorByAddress(address types.Address) (string, error)
+	// ExportPrivKey returns a private key in ASCII armored format.
+	// It returns an error if the key does not exist or a wrong encryption passphrase is supplied.
+	ExportPrivKeyArmor(uid, encryptPassphrase string) (armor string, err error)
+	ExportPrivKeyArmorByAddress(address types.Address, encryptPassphrase string) (armor string, err error)
+}
+
+type AltKeyringOption func(options *altKrOptions)
+
+// NewKeyring creates a new instance of a keyring. Keybase
+// options can be applied when generating this new Keybase.
+// Available backends are "os", "file", "kwallet", "pass", "test".
+func NewAltKeyring(
+	appName, backend, rootDir string, userInput io.Reader, opts ...AltKeyringOption,
+) (Keyring, error) {
+
+	var db keyring.Keyring
+	var err error
+
+	switch backend {
+	case BackendTest:
+		db, err = keyring.Open(lkbToKeyringConfig(appName, rootDir, nil, true))
+	case BackendFile:
+		db, err = keyring.Open(newFileBackendKeyringConfig(appName, rootDir, userInput))
+	case BackendOS:
+		db, err = keyring.Open(lkbToKeyringConfig(appName, rootDir, userInput, false))
+	case BackendKWallet:
+		db, err = keyring.Open(newKWalletBackendKeyringConfig(appName, rootDir, userInput))
+	case BackendPass:
+		db, err = keyring.Open(newPassBackendKeyringConfig(appName, rootDir, userInput))
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknown keyring backend %v", backend)
+	}
+
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Default options for keybase
+	options := altKrOptions{
+		supportedAlgos:       AltSigningAlgoList{AltSecp256k1},
+		supportedAlgosLedger: AltSigningAlgoList{AltSecp256k1},
+	}
+
+	for _, optionFn := range opts {
+		optionFn(&options)
+	}
+
+	return altKeyring{
+		db:      db,
+		options: options,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+type altKeyring struct {
+	db      keyring.Keyring
+	options altKrOptions
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) ExportPubKeyArmor(uid string) (string, error) {
+	bz, err := a.Key(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if bz == nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("no key to export with name: %s", uid)
+	}
+
+	return crypto.ArmorPubKeyBytes(bz.GetPubKey().Bytes(), string(bz.GetAlgo())), nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) ExportPubKeyArmorByAddress(address types.Address) (string, error) {
+	info, err := a.KeyByAddress(address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return a.ExportPubKeyArmor(info.GetName())
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) ExportPrivKeyArmor(uid, encryptPassphrase string) (armor string, err error) {
+	priv, err := a.ExportPrivateKeyObject(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	info, err := a.Key(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return crypto.EncryptArmorPrivKey(priv, encryptPassphrase, string(info.GetAlgo())), nil
+}
+
+// ExportPrivateKeyObject exports an armored private key object.
+func (a altKeyring) ExportPrivateKeyObject(uid string) (tmcrypto.PrivKey, error) {
+	info, err := a.Key(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	var priv tmcrypto.PrivKey
+
+	switch linfo := info.(type) {
+	case localInfo:
+		if linfo.PrivKeyArmor == "" {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("private key not available")
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		priv, err = cryptoAmino.PrivKeyFromBytes([]byte(linfo.PrivKeyArmor))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+	case ledgerInfo, offlineInfo, multiInfo:
+		return nil, errors.New("only works on local private keys")
+	}
+
+	return priv, nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) ExportPrivKeyArmorByAddress(address types.Address, encryptPassphrase string) (armor string, err error) {
+	byAddress, err := a.KeyByAddress(address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return a.ExportPrivKeyArmor(byAddress.GetName(), encryptPassphrase)
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) ImportPrivKey(uid, armor, passphrase string) error {
+	if a.hasKey(uid) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot overwrite key: %s", uid)
+	}
+
+	privKey, algo, err := crypto.UnarmorDecryptPrivKey(armor, passphrase)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "failed to decrypt private key")
+	}
+
+	_, err = a.writeLocalKey(uid, privKey, SigningAlgo(algo))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// HasKey returns whether the key exists in the keyring.
+func (a altKeyring) hasKey(name string) bool {
+	bz, _ := a.Key(name)
+	return bz != nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) ImportPubKey(uid string, armor string) error {
+	bz, _ := a.Key(uid)
+	if bz != nil {
+		pubkey := bz.GetPubKey()
+
+		if len(pubkey.Bytes()) > 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot overwrite data for name: %s", uid)
+		}
+	}
+
+	pubBytes, algo, err := crypto.UnarmorPubKeyBytes(armor)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	pubKey, err := cryptoAmino.PubKeyFromBytes(pubBytes)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	_, err = a.writeOfflineKey(uid, pubKey, SigningAlgo(algo))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) Sign(uid string, msg []byte) ([]byte, tmcrypto.PubKey, error) {
+	info, err := a.Key(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	var priv tmcrypto.PrivKey
+
+	switch i := info.(type) {
+	case localInfo:
+		if i.PrivKeyArmor == "" {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("private key not available")
+		}
+
+		priv, err = cryptoAmino.PrivKeyFromBytes([]byte(i.PrivKeyArmor))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+
+	case ledgerInfo:
+		return SignWithLedger(info, msg)
+
+	case offlineInfo, multiInfo:
+		return nil, info.GetPubKey(), errors.New("cannot sign with offline keys")
+	}
+
+	sig, err := priv.Sign(msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	return sig, priv.PubKey(), nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) SignByAddress(address types.Address, msg []byte) ([]byte, tmcrypto.PubKey, error) {
+	key, err := a.KeyByAddress(address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	return a.Sign(key.GetName(), msg)
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) SaveLedgerKey(uid string, algo AltSigningAlgo, hrp string, account, index uint32) (Info, error) {
+	if !a.options.supportedAlgosLedger.Contains(algo) {
+		return nil, ErrUnsupportedSigningAlgo
+	}
+
+	coinType := types.GetConfig().GetCoinType()
+	hdPath := hd.NewFundraiserParams(account, coinType, index)
+
+	priv, _, err := crypto.NewPrivKeyLedgerSecp256k1(*hdPath, hrp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return a.writeLedgerKey(uid, priv.PubKey(), *hdPath, algo.Name())
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) writeLedgerKey(name string, pub tmcrypto.PubKey, path hd.BIP44Params, algo SigningAlgo) (Info, error) {
+	info := newLedgerInfo(name, pub, path, algo)
+	err := a.writeInfo(name, info)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return info, nil
+}
+
+type altKrOptions struct {
+	supportedAlgos       AltSigningAlgoList
+	supportedAlgosLedger AltSigningAlgoList
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) SaveMultisig(uid string, pubkey tmcrypto.PubKey) (Info, error) {
+	return a.writeMultisigKey(uid, pubkey)
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) SavePubKey(uid string, pubkey tmcrypto.PubKey, algo AltSigningAlgo) (Info, error) {
+	return a.writeOfflineKey(uid, pubkey, algo.Name())
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) DeleteByAddress(address types.Address) error {
+	info, err := a.KeyByAddress(address)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	err = a.Delete(info.GetName())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) Delete(uid string) error {
+	info, err := a.Key(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	err = a.db.Remove(addrHexKeyAsString(info.GetAddress()))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	err = a.db.Remove(string(infoKey(uid)))
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) KeyByAddress(address types.Address) (Info, error) {
+	ik, err := a.db.Get(addrHexKeyAsString(address))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if len(ik.Data) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("key with address %s not found", address)
+	}
+
+	bs, err := a.db.Get(string(ik.Data))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return unmarshalInfo(bs.Data)
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) List() ([]Info, error) {
+	var res []Info
+	keys, err := a.db.Keys()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(key, infoSuffix) {
+			rawInfo, err := a.db.Get(key)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+
+			if len(rawInfo.Data) == 0 {
+				return nil, sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrKeyNotFound, key)
+			}
+
+			info, err := unmarshalInfo(rawInfo.Data)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+
+			res = append(res, info)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return res, nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) NewMnemonic(uid string, language Language, algo AltSigningAlgo) (Info, string, error) {
+	if language != English {
+		return nil, "", ErrUnsupportedLanguage
+	}
+
+	if !a.isSupportedSigningAlgo(algo) {
+		return nil, "", ErrUnsupportedSigningAlgo
+	}
+
+	// Default number of words (24): This generates a mnemonic directly from the
+	// number of words by reading system entropy.
+	entropy, err := bip39.NewEntropy(defaultEntropySize)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	mnemonic, err := bip39.NewMnemonic(entropy)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	info, err := a.NewAccount(uid, mnemonic, DefaultBIP39Passphrase, types.GetConfig().GetFullFundraiserPath(), algo)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+
+	return info, mnemonic, err
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) NewAccount(uid string, mnemonic string, bip39Passphrase string, hdPath string, algo AltSigningAlgo) (Info, error) {
+	if !a.isSupportedSigningAlgo(algo) {
+		return nil, ErrUnsupportedSigningAlgo
+	}
+
+	// create master key and derive first key for keyring
+	derivedPriv, err := algo.DeriveKey()(mnemonic, bip39Passphrase, hdPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	privKey := algo.PrivKeyGen()(derivedPriv)
+
+	return a.writeLocalKey(uid, privKey, algo.Name())
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) isSupportedSigningAlgo(algo AltSigningAlgo) bool {
+	return a.options.supportedAlgos.Contains(algo)
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) Key(uid string) (Info, error) {
+	key := infoKey(uid)
+
+	bs, err := a.db.Get(string(key))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if len(bs.Data) == 0 {
+		return nil, sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrKeyNotFound, uid)
+	}
+
+	return unmarshalInfo(bs.Data)
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) writeLocalKey(name string, priv tmcrypto.PrivKey, algo SigningAlgo) (Info, error) {
+	// encrypt private key using keyring
+	pub := priv.PubKey()
+
+	info := newLocalInfo(name, pub, string(priv.Bytes()), algo)
+	err := a.writeInfo(name, info)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return info, nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) writeInfo(name string, info Info) error {
+	// write the info by key
+	key := infoKey(name)
+	serializedInfo := marshalInfo(info)
+
+	err := a.db.Set(keyring.Item{
+		Key:  string(key),
+		Data: serializedInfo,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	err = a.db.Set(keyring.Item{
+		Key:  addrHexKeyAsString(info.GetAddress()),
+		Data: key,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) writeOfflineKey(name string, pub tmcrypto.PubKey, algo SigningAlgo) (Info, error) {
+	info := newOfflineInfo(name, pub, algo)
+	err := a.writeInfo(name, info)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return info, nil
+}
+
+func (a altKeyring) writeMultisigKey(name string, pub tmcrypto.PubKey) (Info, error) {
+	info := NewMultiInfo(name, pub)
+	err := a.writeInfo(name, info)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return info, nil
+}
diff --git a/crypto/keyring/altkeyring_test.go b/crypto/keyring/altkeyring_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c113f2f8da47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crypto/keyring/altkeyring_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,414 @@
+package keyring
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/ed25519"
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/multisig"
+
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/tests"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/go-bip39"
+)
+
+const (
+	someKey = "theKey"
+	theID   = "theID"
+	otherID = "otherID"
+)
+
+func TestAltKeyring_List(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err := keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, list)
+
+	// Fails on creating unsupported SigningAlgo
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic("failing", English, notSupportedAlgo{})
+	require.EqualError(t, err, ErrUnsupportedSigningAlgo.Error())
+
+	// Create 3 keys
+	uid1, uid2, uid3 := "Zkey", "Bkey", "Rkey"
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid1, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid2, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid3, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err = keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, list, 3)
+
+	// Check they are in alphabetical order
+	require.Equal(t, uid2, list[0].GetName())
+	require.Equal(t, uid3, list[1].GetName())
+	require.Equal(t, uid1, list[2].GetName())
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_NewAccount(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	entropy, err := bip39.NewEntropy(defaultEntropySize)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	mnemonic, err := bip39.NewMnemonic(entropy)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := "newUid"
+
+	// Fails on creating unsupported SigningAlgo
+	_, err = keyring.NewAccount(uid, mnemonic, DefaultBIP39Passphrase, types.GetConfig().GetFullFundraiserPath(), notSupportedAlgo{})
+	require.EqualError(t, err, ErrUnsupportedSigningAlgo.Error())
+
+	info, err := keyring.NewAccount(uid, mnemonic, DefaultBIP39Passphrase, types.GetConfig().GetFullFundraiserPath(), AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.Equal(t, uid, info.GetName())
+
+	list, err := keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, list, 1)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_SaveLedgerKey(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Test unsupported Algo
+	_, err = keyring.SaveLedgerKey("key", notSupportedAlgo{}, "cosmos", 0, 0)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, ErrUnsupportedSigningAlgo.Error())
+
+	info, err := keyring.SaveLedgerKey("key", AltSecp256k1, "cosmos", 0, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		require.Equal(t, "ledger nano S: support for ledger devices is not available in this executable", err.Error())
+		t.Skip("ledger nano S: support for ledger devices is not available in this executable")
+		return
+	}
+	require.Equal(t, "key", info.GetName())
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_Get(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := someKey
+	mnemonic, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	key, err := keyring.Key(uid)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	requireEqualInfo(t, mnemonic, key)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_KeyByAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := someKey
+	mnemonic, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	key, err := keyring.KeyByAddress(mnemonic.GetAddress())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	requireEqualInfo(t, key, mnemonic)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_Delete(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := someKey
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err := keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, list, 1)
+
+	err = keyring.Delete(uid)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err = keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, list)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_DeleteByAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := someKey
+	mnemonic, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err := keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, list, 1)
+
+	err = keyring.DeleteByAddress(mnemonic.GetAddress())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err = keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, list)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_SavePubKey(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	list, err := keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, list)
+
+	key := someKey
+	priv := ed25519.GenPrivKey()
+	pub := priv.PubKey()
+
+	info, err := keyring.SavePubKey(key, pub, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.Nil(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, pub, info.GetPubKey())
+	require.Equal(t, key, info.GetName())
+	require.Equal(t, AltSecp256k1.Name(), info.GetAlgo())
+
+	list, err = keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, 1, len(list))
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_SaveMultisig(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	mnemonic1, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic("key1", English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	mnemonic2, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic("key2", English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	key := "multi"
+	pub := multisig.NewPubKeyMultisigThreshold(2, []crypto.PubKey{mnemonic1.GetPubKey(), mnemonic2.GetPubKey()})
+
+	info, err := keyring.SaveMultisig(key, pub)
+	require.Nil(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, pub, info.GetPubKey())
+	require.Equal(t, key, info.GetName())
+
+	list, err := keyring.List()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, list, 3)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_Sign(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := "jack"
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	msg := []byte("some message")
+
+	sign, key, err := keyring.Sign(uid, msg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.True(t, key.VerifyBytes(msg, sign))
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_SignByAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := "jack"
+	mnemonic, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	msg := []byte("some message")
+
+	sign, key, err := keyring.SignByAddress(mnemonic.GetAddress(), msg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.True(t, key.VerifyBytes(msg, sign))
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_ImportExportPrivKey(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := theID
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	passphrase := "somePass"
+	armor, err := keyring.ExportPrivKeyArmor(uid, passphrase)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Should fail importing private key on existing key.
+	err = keyring.ImportPrivKey(uid, armor, passphrase)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, fmt.Sprintf("cannot overwrite key: %s", uid))
+
+	newUID := otherID
+	// Should fail importing with wrong password
+	err = keyring.ImportPrivKey(newUID, armor, "wrongPass")
+	require.EqualError(t, err, "failed to decrypt private key: ciphertext decryption failed")
+
+	err = keyring.ImportPrivKey(newUID, armor, passphrase)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_ImportExportPrivKey_ByAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := theID
+	mnemonic, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	passphrase := "somePass"
+	armor, err := keyring.ExportPrivKeyArmorByAddress(mnemonic.GetAddress(), passphrase)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Should fail importing private key on existing key.
+	err = keyring.ImportPrivKey(uid, armor, passphrase)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, fmt.Sprintf("cannot overwrite key: %s", uid))
+
+	newUID := otherID
+	// Should fail importing with wrong password
+	err = keyring.ImportPrivKey(newUID, armor, "wrongPass")
+	require.EqualError(t, err, "failed to decrypt private key: ciphertext decryption failed")
+
+	err = keyring.ImportPrivKey(newUID, armor, passphrase)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_ImportExportPubKey(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := theID
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	armor, err := keyring.ExportPubKeyArmor(uid)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Should fail importing private key on existing key.
+	err = keyring.ImportPubKey(uid, armor)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, fmt.Sprintf("cannot overwrite data for name: %s", uid))
+
+	newUID := otherID
+	err = keyring.ImportPubKey(newUID, armor)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_ImportExportPubKey_ByAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	uid := theID
+	mnemonic, _, err := keyring.NewMnemonic(uid, English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	armor, err := keyring.ExportPubKeyArmorByAddress(mnemonic.GetAddress())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Should fail importing private key on existing key.
+	err = keyring.ImportPubKey(uid, armor)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, fmt.Sprintf("cannot overwrite data for name: %s", uid))
+
+	newUID := otherID
+	err = keyring.ImportPubKey(newUID, armor)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestAltKeyring_ConstructorSupportedAlgos(t *testing.T) {
+	dir, clean := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean)
+
+	keyring, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// should fail when using unsupported signing algorythm.
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic("test", English, notSupportedAlgo{})
+	require.EqualError(t, err, "unsupported signing algo")
+
+	// but works with default signing algo.
+	_, _, err = keyring.NewMnemonic("test", English, AltSecp256k1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// but we can create a new keybase with our provided algos.
+	dir2, clean2 := tests.NewTestCaseDir(t)
+	t.Cleanup(clean2)
+
+	keyring2, err := NewAltKeyring(t.Name(), BackendTest, dir2, nil, func(options *altKrOptions) {
+		options.supportedAlgos = AltSigningAlgoList{
+			notSupportedAlgo{},
+		}
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// now this new keyring does not fail when signing with provided algo
+	_, _, err = keyring2.NewMnemonic("test", English, notSupportedAlgo{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func requireEqualInfo(t *testing.T, key Info, mnemonic Info) {
+	require.Equal(t, key.GetName(), mnemonic.GetName())
+	require.Equal(t, key.GetAddress(), mnemonic.GetAddress())
+	require.Equal(t, key.GetPubKey(), mnemonic.GetPubKey())
+	require.Equal(t, key.GetAlgo(), mnemonic.GetAlgo())
+	require.Equal(t, key.GetType(), mnemonic.GetType())
+}
diff --git a/crypto/keyring/base_keybase.go b/crypto/keyring/base_keybase.go
index abec03359a86..be63deda817f 100644
--- a/crypto/keyring/base_keybase.go
+++ b/crypto/keyring/base_keybase.go
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ func SecpPrivKeyGen(bz []byte) tmcrypto.PrivKey {
 func (kb baseKeybase) CreateAccount(
 	keyWriter keyWriter, name, mnemonic, bip39Passphrase, encryptPasswd, hdPath string, algo SigningAlgo,
 ) (Info, error) {
-
 	// create master key and derive first key for keyring
 	derivedPriv, err := kb.options.deriveFunc(mnemonic, bip39Passphrase, hdPath, algo)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/crypto/keyring/keyring.go b/crypto/keyring/keyring.go
index d1ebfa0b6f3d..d9aca87d4b47 100644
--- a/crypto/keyring/keyring.go
+++ b/crypto/keyring/keyring.go
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/crypto/bcrypt"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
 	tmcrypto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
 	cryptoAmino "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/encoding/amino"
 
@@ -42,69 +41,6 @@ const (
 
 var _ Keybase = keyringKeybase{}
 
-// Keyring exposes operations on a generic keystore
-type Keyring interface {
-	// List all keys.
-	List() ([]Info, error)
-
-	// Key and KeyByAddress return keys by uid and address respectively.
-	Key(uid string) (Info, error)
-	KeyByAddress(address types.Address) (Info, error)
-
-	//// Delete and DeleteByAddress remove keys.
-	Delete(uid string) error
-	DeleteByAddress(address types.Address) error
-
-	// NewMnemonic generates a new mnemonic, derives a hierarchical deterministic
-	// key from that, and persists it to storage. Returns the generated mnemonic and the key
-	// Info. It returns an error if it fails to generate a key for the given algo type, or if
-	// another key is already stored under the same name.
-	NewMnemonic(uid string, language Language, algo SigningAlgo) (Info, string, error)
-
-	// NewAccount converts a mnemonic to a private key and BIP-39 HD Path  and persists it.
-	NewAccount(uid, mnemonic, bip39Passwd, hdPath string, algo SigningAlgo) (Info, error)
-
-	// SaveLedgerKey retrieves a public key reference from a Ledger device and persists it.
-	SaveLedgerKey(uid string, algo SigningAlgo, hrp string, account, index uint32) (Info, error)
-
-	// SavePubKey stores a public key and returns the persisted Info structure.
-	SavePubKey(uid string, pubkey tmcrypto.PubKey, algo SigningAlgo) (Info, error)
-
-	// SaveMultisig stores, stores, and returns a new multsig (offline) key reference
-	SaveMultisig(uid string, pubkey tmcrypto.PubKey) (Info, error)
-
-	Signer
-
-	Importer
-	Exporter
-}
-
-// Signer is implemented by key stores that want to provide signing capabilities.
-type Signer interface {
-	// Sign sign byte messages with a user key.
-	Sign(uid string, msg []byte) ([]byte, tmcrypto.PubKey, error)
-
-	// SignByAddress sign byte messages with a user key providing the address.
-	SignByAddress(address types.Address, msg []byte) ([]byte, tmcrypto.PubKey, error)
-}
-
-// Importer is implemented by key stores that support import of public and private keys.
-type Importer interface {
-	ImportPrivKey(uid, armor, passphrase string) error
-	ImportPubKey(uid string, armor string) error
-}
-
-// Exporter is implemented by key stores that support export of public and private keys.
-type Exporter interface {
-	// Export public key
-	ExportPubKeyArmor(uid string) (string, error)
-	ExportPubKeyArmorByAddress(address types.Address) (string, error)
-	// ExportPrivKey returns a private key in ASCII armored format.
-	// It returns an error if the key does not exist or a wrong encryption passphrase is supplied.
-	ExportPrivKeyArmor(uid, encryptPassphrase string) (armor string, err error)
-	ExportPrivKeyArmorByAddress(address types.Address, encryptPassphrase string) (armor string, err error)
-}
-
 // keyringKeybase implements the Keybase interface by using the Keyring library
 // for account key persistence.
 type keyringKeybase struct {
@@ -650,6 +586,10 @@ func newRealPrompt(dir string, buf io.Reader) func(string) (string, error) {
 	}
 }
 
-func addrHexKey(address types.AccAddress) []byte {
-	return []byte(fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s", hex.EncodeToString(address.Bytes()), addressSuffix))
+func addrHexKey(address types.Address) []byte {
+	return []byte(addrHexKeyAsString(address))
+}
+
+func addrHexKeyAsString(address types.Address) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s", hex.EncodeToString(address.Bytes()), addressSuffix)
 }