Private messaging, natively on Zcash.
Every message is a shielded ZEC transaction memo. No centralized message storage. On-chain metadata hidden by Zcash shielded transactions. No sign-up required. Just download the app and experience truly private communication.
Why ZCHAT?
Messages encrypted with zero-knowledge proofs. Only you and your recipient can read them — not us, not anyone.
Zero-Knowledge Privacy
Your messages join millions of shielded notes in an anonymity set so large, even unlimited resources can't distinguish your transactions.
No Sign-Up Required
No phone number. No email. No account. Just pure private messaging powered by Zcash's battle-tested cryptography.
Wallet-First Chat
Built-in wallet with in-app swap. Deposit BTC, ETH, SOL or 20+ tokens, swap to ZEC, and start messaging. No external wallet needed.
Perfect Anonymity Set
Every shielded transaction hides among all notes ever created. Privacy strengthens over time as your messages become indistinguishable.
Orchard Protocol
Built on Zcash's latest shielded pool with quantum-ready foundations. Your privacy is protected today and prepared for tomorrow.
Self-Hosted Stack
The infrastructure runs zebrad and lightwalletd — no third-party servers touching your messages. True end-to-end privacy.
How it works
A complete architecture running on Zcash mainnet
Zebrad full node (mainnet)
lightwalletd (gRPC)
Rust wallet-core
Node.js backend + PostgreSQL
Next.js / React frontend
Messages are encrypted memos inside Zcash shielded transactions — no centralized server stores your message content. The backend infrastructure (zebrad, lightwalletd) handles blockchain synchronization only. The wallet engine talks to lightwalletd for blockchain interaction, while the backend manages app state and sync. Your messages live on the Zcash blockchain, not on our servers.
See ZCHAT in action
2-minute demo: sending fully private messages over Zcash mainnet.
Download ZCHAT
v2.12.4No email. No account. No waitlist. A direct, verifiable APK download — every message is a Zcash shielded transaction, and your messages live on the Zcash blockchain.
Official App Stores
Download on the
App Store
Get it on
Google Play
Official store releases coming in 2026
Direct Download (Android APK)
Android APK
Signed release · direct download
Download the signed APK straight from GitHub and sideload it. No email, no account, no waitlist.
Download APK · v2.12.4or view all releases & checksums on GitHub
Verify this download
This APK is signed with ZCHAT's own release key — it is never re-signed by any app store. Its permanent certificate fingerprint is:
F1:7A:F1:28:23:CA:20:8B:63:2E:29:81:38:B7:89:13:74:F6:65:17:C8:9D:BF:BE:12:FC:3A:C3:65:01:C8:06Verify it yourself:
apksigner verify --print-certs -v ZChat.apkConfirm the "Signer #1 certificate SHA-256 digest" matches the value above — it never changes between versions.
Get beta updates (optional)
Not required to download — just an optional heads-up when new builds land.
Roadmap
Now
Private beta testing on mainnet. Join the whitelist for early access.
2026
Public release on Google Play and App Store.
Next
Encrypted images and audio attachments.
Under research
Fully private live calls anchored to Zcash.
Zypherpunk Hackathon 2025
ZChat received a prize at the Zypherpunk Hackathon 2025 in the Zcash-related projects track ($600), demonstrating that truly private messaging built on Zcash shielded transactions is viable.
Our focus is making privacy-first communication as simple as any normal messenger. No phone number, no email, no account required — just pure private messaging powered by zero-knowledge cryptography.
Ready to make messaging actually private?
Experience truly private communication powered by Zcash's shielded transactions. No servers. No sign-up. No compromise.
Privacy is necessary for an open society in the electronic age... We cannot expect governments, corporations, or other large, faceless organizations to grant us privacy out of their beneficence... We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any... Cypherpunks write code.— A Cypherpunk's Manifesto
Get in touch
Questions? Feedback? Let's connect.
Fund Privacy
Every contribution helps us build tools that protect fundamental human rights. Privacy is not a luxury — it's a necessity.
Zcash (Shielded)
Fully private — recommended
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EVM (ETH/MATIC/etc.)
If you're Vitalik :)
0xb9828C08508Ba60a897A19B58A87fe40E28BB216
All donations go directly to ZCHAT development and infrastructure costs.