Help Center

How can we
help you?

Getting Started

Zentalk is a decentralized messaging protocol that uses end-to-end encryption and a peer-to-peer mesh network. There are no central servers - messages are routed through distributed relay nodes, and all encryption happens on your device.

Connect your Ethereum wallet (MetaMask, WalletConnect, etc.) and sign a message to prove ownership. No phone number or email required. Your wallet address becomes your identity, and encryption keys are generated locally on your device.

Your wallet provides cryptographic identity without requiring personal information. You sign in by proving you own the wallet - no passwords stored anywhere. This also enables future features like token-gated groups and decentralized identity.

Yes, Zentalk is completely free and open source. The project is funded through community donations and the CHAIN token economy that rewards relay node operators.

Privacy & Security

Zentalk uses the Signal Protocol (X3DH key exchange + Double Ratchet) for end-to-end encryption. Additionally, we implement Kyber-768 hybrid cryptography for post-quantum security - protecting your messages against future quantum computer attacks.

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) uses algorithms resistant to quantum computer attacks. Zentalk combines classical X25519 with Kyber-768 (NIST standard) - an attacker would need to break BOTH to decrypt messages.

Only you and your recipient. Messages are encrypted on your device before leaving. Relay nodes only see encrypted data they cannot decrypt. Even if all relays were compromised, your messages remain secure.

Messages travel through 3 different relay nodes (like Tor). Each node only knows the previous and next hop, not the full path. Your IP is hidden behind multiple encryption layers.

None. Zentalk uses zero-knowledge architecture. We cannot see message content, contacts, or even which wallet addresses communicate with each other. Mesh storage uses hashed addresses (zh1_) that cannot be linked to your wallet.

Yes. You have full control over your data. Go to Settings and delete your mesh backups at any time. Since data is encrypted with your wallet key, only you can access or delete it. When you delete, the encrypted shards are removed from all mesh nodes.

Your encrypted backup is stored on the decentralized mesh network. Restore it on any device by connecting your wallet and entering your backup password. Without the backup, you'll need to start fresh.

Features

Yes. Groups use Sender Keys encryption - each member has a key that others use to decrypt their messages. Key rotation happens automatically when members leave.

Yes. Calls use WebRTC with end-to-end encryption. Call metadata is minimal and call history syncs via the encrypted mesh backup.

Mesh Storage is our decentralized backup system. Your encrypted data is split into 15 shards using erasure coding and distributed across multiple nodes. Even if 5 nodes go offline, your data survives.

Your DMs, groups, and channels are backed up to the mesh network with no expiration. Data is encrypted with your wallet-derived key - only you can decrypt it. When you delete a group or channel, the backup updates automatically. You have full control: you can delete all your backups at any time via Settings.

Go to Settings > Invite Friends. Share your personalized link (zentalk.chat/u/yourname) or QR code. You can share directly to WhatsApp, Telegram, X/Twitter, SMS, or Email. When someone uses your link, they can start chatting with you immediately after connecting their wallet.

Yes, optionally. If you add your phone number, it gets hashed once with PBKDF2 (a one-way hash) and stored in the mesh. Your real number is never visible to anyone - only the hash exists. Friends who also added their number can find you by matching hashes. This is completely optional - Zentalk works perfectly without a phone number.

Yes. Files up to 100MB are supported with the same end-to-end encryption as messages. Large files are chunked and distributed across the mesh network.

You can register a unique username that maps to your wallet address. Share your username link (zentalk.chat/u/yourname) so others can find you without knowing your wallet address.

Node Operators

Run the one-command setup: curl -sSL https://zentalk.io/setup-relay.sh | sudo bash. This installs Docker, guides you through wallet setup, waits for your stake deposit, and starts your node automatically.

You need to stake 100,000 CHAIN tokens to become a relay operator. The stake is locked in a smart contract and returned when you stop operating (minus any penalties for extended offline periods).

Approximately 0.01 CHAIN per message relayed. Average relays handle 1,000-10,000 messages per day, earning 10-100 CHAIN daily. Monthly ROI is typically 3-30% depending on network usage.

Under 1 hour: no penalty. 1-24 hours: warning, no new messages assigned. Over 24 hours: 1% stake penalty per day. Over 7 days: removed from network with 10% stake slashed.

Minimum: 2 CPU cores, 2GB RAM, 20GB SSD, 100 Mbps connection. Recommended: 4 cores, 4GB RAM, 50GB SSD, 1 Gbps connection. You need ports 8443, 9091, and 9101 open.

Troubleshooting

Check your internet connection. If the recipient is offline, messages are queued on the mesh network for up to 7 days. Try refreshing the connection in settings.

Ensure your wallet extension is unlocked. Try disconnecting and reconnecting. For WalletConnect, scan a fresh QR code. Clear browser cache if issues persist.

Double-check your backup password. Ensure you're using the same wallet address. If mesh nodes are unreachable, wait and retry - the network may be temporarily congested.

Open an issue on our GitHub repository (github.com/ZentaChain) with device info, app version, and steps to reproduce. For security vulnerabilities, email security@zentalk.chat.