diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e3eeac9b3..604e56662 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,13 +1,26 @@
 # Changelog
 
-## 8.3.0 /2024-11-06
+## 8.3.1 /2024-11-13
 
 ## What's Changed
+* Better handle incorrect file path for wallets. by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/230
+* Handle websockets version 14, verbose error output by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/236
+* Handles the new PasswordError from bt-wallet by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/232
+
+**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/compare/v8.3.0...v.8.3.1
 
+## 8.3.0 /2024-11-06
+
+## What's Changed
 * Better handle incorrect password by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/187
 * Fixes success path of pow register by @ibraheem-opentensor in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/189
 * Adds `--all` flag to transfer by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/181
-* Various fixes by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
+* In `do_transfer`, we check the balance with coldkeypub.ss58, but then retrieve it from the dict with coldkey.ss58. Resolve this. by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
+* Handle KeyboardInterrupt in CLI to gracefully exit (no traceback) by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
+* Handle race conditions where self.metadata may not be set before finishing initialising runtime (this may need optimised in the future) by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
+* Error description output by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
+* Taostats link fixed by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
+* Fixes not showing confirmation if --no-prompt is specified on stake remove by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/199
 * Fix wallets in overview by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/197
 * fix handling null neurons by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/214
 * Fix cuda pow registration by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/215
@@ -16,6 +29,7 @@
 * Support hotkey names for include/exclude in st add/remove by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/216
 * Subvortex network added by @thewhaleking  in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/223
 * Add prompt option to all commands which use Confirm prompts by @thewhaleking in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/227
+* fix: local subtensor port by @distributedstatemachine in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/228
 * Update local subtensor port by @distributedstatemachine in https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/pull/228
 
 **Full Changelog**: https://github.com/opentensor/btcli/compare/v8.2.0...v8.3.0
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/__init__.py b/bittensor_cli/__init__.py
index 6eaa6edc4..165a7ac22 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/__init__.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/__init__.py
@@ -18,6 +18,6 @@
 from .cli import CLIManager
 
 
-__version__ = "8.3.0"
+__version__ = "8.3.1"
 
 __all__ = ["CLIManager", "__version__"]
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/cli.py b/bittensor_cli/cli.py
index 319480d42..08f8cb08a 100755
--- a/bittensor_cli/cli.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/cli.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 import re
 import ssl
 import sys
+import traceback
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Coroutine, Optional
 from dataclasses import fields
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ class GitError(Exception):
         pass
 
 
-__version__ = "8.3.0"
+__version__ = "8.3.1"
 
 
 _core_version = re.match(r"^\d+\.\d+\.\d+", __version__).group(0)
@@ -840,6 +841,7 @@ async def _run():
                 return result
             except (ConnectionRefusedError, ssl.SSLError):
                 err_console.print(f"Unable to connect to the chain: {self.subtensor}")
+                verbose_console.print(traceback.format_exc())
             except (
                 ConnectionClosed,
                 SubstrateRequestException,
@@ -847,6 +849,10 @@ async def _run():
             ) as e:
                 if isinstance(e, SubstrateRequestException):
                     err_console.print(str(e))
+                verbose_console.print(traceback.format_exc())
+            except Exception as e:
+                err_console.print(f"An unknown error has occurred: {e}")
+                verbose_console.print(traceback.format_exc())
             finally:
                 if initiated is False:
                     asyncio.create_task(cmd).cancel()
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py
index bd6bbb987..08e0cc9ba 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/async_substrate_interface.py
@@ -6,13 +6,14 @@
 from hashlib import blake2b
 from typing import Optional, Any, Union, Callable, Awaitable, cast
 
-from bt_decode import PortableRegistry, decode as decode_by_type_string, MetadataV15
 from async_property import async_property
+from bt_decode import PortableRegistry, decode as decode_by_type_string, MetadataV15
+from bittensor_wallet import Keypair
+from packaging import version
 from scalecodec import GenericExtrinsic
 from scalecodec.base import ScaleBytes, ScaleType, RuntimeConfigurationObject
 from scalecodec.type_registry import load_type_registry_preset
 from scalecodec.types import GenericCall
-from bittensor_wallet import Keypair
 from substrateinterface.exceptions import (
     SubstrateRequestException,
     ExtrinsicNotFound,
@@ -771,14 +772,13 @@ def __init__(
         """
         self.chain_endpoint = chain_endpoint
         self.__chain = chain_name
-        self.ws = Websocket(
-            chain_endpoint,
-            options={
-                "max_size": 2**32,
-                "read_limit": 2**16,
-                "write_limit": 2**16,
-            },
-        )
+        options = {
+            "max_size": 2**32,
+            "write_limit": 2**16,
+        }
+        if version.parse(websockets.__version__) < version.parse("14.0"):
+            options.update({"read_limit": 2**16})
+        self.ws = Websocket(chain_endpoint, options=options)
         self._lock = asyncio.Lock()
         self.last_block_hash: Optional[str] = None
         self.config = {
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/registration.py b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/registration.py
index 584d1291c..d73837d2b 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/registration.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/registration.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 
 import backoff
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 from Crypto.Hash import keccak
 import numpy as np
 from rich.prompt import Confirm
@@ -37,6 +36,7 @@
     get_human_readable,
     print_verbose,
     print_error,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 if typing.TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -726,10 +726,8 @@ async def run_faucet_extrinsic(
         return False, "Requires torch"
 
     # Unlock coldkey
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        return False, "There was an error unlocking your coldkey"
+    if not (unlock_status := unlock_key(wallet, print_out=False)).success:
+        return False, unlock_status.message
 
     # Get previous balance.
     old_balance = await subtensor.get_balance(wallet.coldkeypub.ss58_address)
@@ -1639,10 +1637,7 @@ async def swap_hotkey_extrinsic(
         )
         return False
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     if prompt:
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/root.py b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/root.py
index 295ee640b..22ed70a04 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/root.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/root.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 from typing import Union, List, TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet, Keypair
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 import numpy as np
 from numpy.typing import NDArray
 from rich.prompt import Confirm
@@ -37,6 +36,7 @@
     u16_normalized_float,
     print_verbose,
     format_error_message,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -306,10 +306,7 @@ async def root_register_extrinsic(
              the response is `True`.
     """
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     print_verbose(f"Checking if hotkey ({wallet.hotkey_str}) is registered on root")
@@ -427,10 +424,7 @@ async def _do_set_weights():
         err_console.print("Your hotkey is not registered to the root network")
         return False
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     # First convert types.
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/transfer.py b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/transfer.py
index eada5ec70..3ca657cab 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/transfer.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/extrinsics/transfer.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import asyncio
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 from rich.prompt import Confirm
 from substrateinterface.exceptions import SubstrateRequestException
 
@@ -16,6 +15,7 @@
     get_explorer_url_for_network,
     is_valid_bittensor_address_or_public_key,
     print_error,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 
@@ -115,10 +115,7 @@ async def do_transfer() -> tuple[bool, str, str]:
         return False
     console.print(f"[dark_orange]Initiating transfer on network: {subtensor.network}")
     # Unlock wallet coldkey.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     # Check balance.
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/utils.py b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/utils.py
index b6b05baae..a3954a85d 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/utils.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/bittensor/utils.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import ast
+from collections import namedtuple
 import math
 import os
 import sqlite3
@@ -9,7 +10,7 @@
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet, Keypair
 from bittensor_wallet.utils import SS58_FORMAT
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
+from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError, PasswordError
 from bittensor_wallet import utils
 from jinja2 import Template
 from markupsafe import Markup
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@
 err_console = Console(stderr=True)
 verbose_console = Console(quiet=True)
 
+UnlockStatus = namedtuple("UnlockStatus", ["success", "message"])
+
 
 def print_console(message: str, colour: str, title: str, console: Console):
     console.print(
@@ -238,11 +241,14 @@ def get_hotkey_wallets_for_wallet(
 def get_coldkey_wallets_for_path(path: str) -> list[Wallet]:
     """Gets all wallets with coldkeys from a given path"""
     wallet_path = Path(path).expanduser()
-    wallets = [
-        Wallet(name=directory.name, path=path)
-        for directory in wallet_path.iterdir()
-        if directory.is_dir()
-    ]
+    try:
+        wallets = [
+            Wallet(name=directory.name, path=path)
+            for directory in wallet_path.iterdir()
+            if directory.is_dir()
+        ]
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        wallets = []
     return wallets
 
 
@@ -974,3 +980,39 @@ def retry_prompt(
             return var
         else:
             err_console.print(rejection_text)
+
+
+def unlock_key(
+    wallet: Wallet, unlock_type="cold", print_out: bool = True
+) -> "UnlockStatus":
+    """
+    Attempts to decrypt a wallet's coldkey or hotkey
+    Args:
+        wallet: a Wallet object
+        unlock_type: the key type, 'cold' or 'hot'
+        print_out:  whether to print out the error message to the err_console
+
+    Returns: UnlockStatus for success status of unlock, with error message if unsuccessful
+
+    """
+    if unlock_type == "cold":
+        unlocker = "unlock_coldkey"
+    elif unlock_type == "hot":
+        unlocker = "unlock_hotkey"
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Invalid unlock type provided: {unlock_type}. Must be 'cold' or 'hot'."
+        )
+    try:
+        getattr(wallet, unlocker)()
+        return UnlockStatus(True, "")
+    except PasswordError:
+        err_msg = f"The password used to decrypt your {unlock_type.capitalize()}key Keyfile is invalid."
+        if print_out:
+            err_console.print(f":cross_mark: [red]{err_msg}[/red]")
+        return UnlockStatus(False, err_msg)
+    except KeyFileError:
+        err_msg = f"{unlock_type.capitalize()}key Keyfile is corrupt, non-writable, or non-readable, or non-existent."
+        if print_out:
+            err_console.print(f":cross_mark: [red]{err_msg}[/red]")
+        return UnlockStatus(False, err_msg)
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/root.py b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/root.py
index 2401eb002..0af9c4ebb 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/root.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/root.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 from typing import Optional, TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 import numpy as np
 from numpy.typing import NDArray
 from rich import box
@@ -42,6 +41,7 @@
     ss58_to_vec_u8,
     update_metadata_table,
     group_subnets,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -280,10 +280,7 @@ async def burned_register_extrinsic(
              finalization/inclusion, the response is `True`.
     """
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     with console.status(
@@ -537,10 +534,7 @@ async def get_stake_for_coldkey_and_hotkey(
     delegate_string = "delegate" if delegate else "undelegate"
 
     # Decrypt key
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     print_verbose("Checking if hotkey is a delegate")
@@ -1098,11 +1092,7 @@ async def senate_vote(
         return False
 
     # Unlock the wallet.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_hotkey()
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success and unlock_key(wallet, "hot").success:
         return False
 
     console.print(f"Fetching proposals in [dark_orange]network: {subtensor.network}")
@@ -1322,11 +1312,7 @@ async def _do_set_take() -> bool:
 
     console.print(f"Setting take on [dark_orange]network: {subtensor.network}")
     # Unlock the wallet.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_hotkey()
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success and unlock_key(wallet, "hot").success:
         return False
 
     result_ = await _do_set_take()
@@ -1724,11 +1710,7 @@ async def nominate(wallet: Wallet, subtensor: SubtensorInterface, prompt: bool):
 
     console.print(f"Nominating on [dark_orange]network: {subtensor.network}")
     # Unlock the wallet.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_hotkey()
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success and unlock_key(wallet, "hot").success:
         return False
 
     print_verbose(f"Checking hotkey ({wallet.hotkey_str}) is a delegate")
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/children_hotkeys.py b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/children_hotkeys.py
index 97f8e5fc9..c64d486f6 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/children_hotkeys.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/children_hotkeys.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 from typing import Optional
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 from rich.prompt import Confirm, Prompt, IntPrompt
 from rich.table import Table
 from rich.text import Text
@@ -19,6 +18,7 @@
     u64_to_float,
     is_valid_ss58_address,
     format_error_message,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 
@@ -72,10 +72,8 @@ async def set_children_extrinsic(
                 return False, "Operation Cancelled"
 
     # Decrypt coldkey.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        return False, "There was an error unlocking your coldkey."
+    if not (unlock_status := unlock_key(wallet, print_out=False)).success:
+        return False, unlock_status.message
 
     with console.status(
         f":satellite: {operation} on [white]{subtensor.network}[/white] ..."
@@ -158,10 +156,8 @@ async def set_childkey_take_extrinsic(
             return False, "Operation Cancelled"
 
     # Decrypt coldkey.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        return False, "There was an error unlocking your coldkey."
+    if not (unlock_status := unlock_key(wallet, print_out=False)).success:
+        return False, unlock_status.message
 
     with console.status(
         f":satellite: Setting childkey take on [white]{subtensor.network}[/white] ..."
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/stake.py b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/stake.py
index 144e40f84..7c7c83fe0 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/stake.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/stake/stake.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional, Sequence, Union, cast
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 from rich.prompt import Confirm
 from rich.table import Table, Column
 import typer
@@ -28,6 +27,7 @@
     render_tree,
     u16_normalized_float,
     validate_coldkey_presence,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -103,10 +103,7 @@ async def add_stake_extrinsic(
     """
 
     # Decrypt keys,
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     # Default to wallet's own hotkey if the value is not passed.
@@ -310,10 +307,7 @@ async def add_stake_multiple_extrinsic(
             return True
 
     # Decrypt coldkey.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     with console.status(
@@ -491,11 +485,8 @@ async def unstake_extrinsic(
     :return: success: `True` if extrinsic was finalized or included in the block. If we did not wait for
                       finalization/inclusion, the response is `True`.
     """
-    # Decrypt keys,
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    # Decrypt coldkey
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     if hotkey_ss58 is None:
@@ -663,10 +654,7 @@ async def unstake_multiple_extrinsic(
             return True
 
     # Unlock coldkey.
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     with console.status(
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/subnets.py b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/subnets.py
index dba96bfd2..1d4620b73 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/subnets.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/subnets.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional, cast
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 from rich.prompt import Confirm
 from rich.table import Column, Table
 
@@ -28,6 +27,7 @@
     millify,
     render_table,
     update_metadata_table,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -100,10 +100,7 @@ async def _find_event_attributes_in_extrinsic_receipt(
         ):
             return False
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     with console.status(":satellite: Registering subnet...", spinner="earth"):
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/sudo.py b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/sudo.py
index 6ebbb0eca..5711a3c27 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/sudo.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/sudo.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Union
 
 from bittensor_wallet import Wallet
-from bittensor_wallet.errors import KeyFileError
 from rich import box
 from rich.table import Column, Table
 
@@ -14,6 +13,7 @@
     print_error,
     print_verbose,
     normalize_hyperparameters,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -101,10 +101,7 @@ async def set_hyperparameter_extrinsic(
         )
         return False
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     extrinsic = HYPERPARAMS.get(parameter)
diff --git a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/wallets.py b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/wallets.py
index acce3b1a4..69188053e 100644
--- a/bittensor_cli/src/commands/wallets.py
+++ b/bittensor_cli/src/commands/wallets.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
     is_valid_ss58_address,
     validate_coldkey_presence,
     retry_prompt,
+    unlock_key,
 )
 
 
@@ -1616,10 +1617,7 @@ async def set_id(
             print_error(f":cross_mark: This wallet doesn't own subnet {subnet_netuid}.")
             return False
 
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print("Error decrypting coldkey (possibly incorrect password)")
+    if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
         return False
 
     with console.status(
@@ -1719,18 +1717,14 @@ async def check_coldkey_swap(wallet: Wallet, subtensor: SubtensorInterface):
 
 async def sign(wallet: Wallet, message: str, use_hotkey: str):
     """Sign a message using the provided wallet or hotkey."""
-
-    try:
-        wallet.unlock_coldkey()
-    except KeyFileError:
-        err_console.print(
-            ":cross_mark: [red]Keyfile is corrupt, non-writable, non-readable or the password used to decrypt is "
-            "invalid[/red]:[bold white]\n  [/bold white]"
-        )
     if not use_hotkey:
+        if not unlock_key(wallet).success:
+            return False
         keypair = wallet.coldkey
         print_verbose(f"Signing using coldkey: {wallet.name}")
     else:
+        if not unlock_key(wallet, "hot").success:
+            return False
         keypair = wallet.hotkey
         print_verbose(f"Signing using hotkey: {wallet.hotkey_str}")
 
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 2e891bcf3..bb50a3a7a 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ fuzzywuzzy~=0.18.0
 netaddr~=1.3.0
 numpy>=2.0.1
 Jinja2
+packaging
 pycryptodome  # Crypto
 PyYAML~=6.0.1
 pytest
@@ -16,5 +17,5 @@ scalecodec==1.2.11
 substrate-interface~=1.7.9
 typer~=0.12
 websockets>=12.0
-bittensor-wallet>=2.0.2
+bittensor-wallet>=2.1.0
 bt-decode==0.2.0a0
\ No newline at end of file