ZetaChain is a novel L1 that has chain-agnostic interoperability built-in (EVM-compatible, Cosmos/IBC, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Tron, etc.). Developers currently use ZetaChain’s messaging capabilities to send data and native value (without wrapping assets) between any chains.
ZetaChain will also support native smart contracts, which let developers build omnichain dApps that orchestrate funds across chains from a single contract.
# Who Are the Founders of ZetaChain?
ZetaChain’s founder was an early Coinbase employee and one of the creators of Basic Attention Token (BAT). Investors include all major market makers, top exchanges, early Coinbase and Binance employees including Dan Romero, Sam Rosenblum, and John Yi, as well as major contributors to some of the industry’s most widely adopted protocols and well known funds, including Polygon’s JD Kanani.
Advisors to the project include Coinbase’s first Head of People Nathalie McGrath who scaled the industry leading exchange from 10 employees to over 800, and Juan Suarez, who served as in-house counsel at Coinbase from 2013 to 2022.
# What Makes ZetaChain Unique?
ZetaChain is a blockchain that connects everything. It enables interoperability between any blockchains or layers by providing cross-chain value transfer and message delivery, as well as native omnichain smart contract support. Applications built on ZetaChain — omnichain dApps (odApps) — can leverage liquidity and data on multiple networks and read and update state on all connected networks.
ZetaChain’s native omnichain smart contract platform lets developers deploy contracts with the same ease as developing dApps for a single network like Ethereum, that orchestrate data and value across many or all chains. ZetaChain’s connectivity is chain-agnostic and can connect to and bring smart contract capabilities to even non-smart-contract chains like Bitcoin and Dogecoin.
The ZETA coin powers ZetaChain, facilitating cross-chain value transfer, securing the blockchain through slashing/bonding/staking, paying for gas fees, processing transactions, and storing data. Through ZETA, users are able to safely transfer native value across chains without the common risks of bridging or wrapping assets.
**Related Pages:**
- Learn core concepts on ZetaChain's architecture and building dApps on ZetaChain
- Read technical documentation on how to interact with and build on ZetaChain
- Learn how to build real omnichain dApps with walkthroughs and code samples
- Read the whitepaper for a detailed look at ZetaChain's background and architecture
# How Is the ZETA Network Secured?
ZetaChain is a Proof of Stake (PoS) blockchain built on Cosmos SDK and Tendermint consensus, which can connect to external blockchains (e.g., Ethereum, BSC, Solana, Avalanche, Terra, Bitcoin) and layers (e.g., Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum) in a decentralized (without a single point of failure, trustless, permissionless), transparent, and efficient way.
The ZetaChain architecture consists of validators, observers, and signers. Validators participate in block production and receive rewards proportional to their bonded staking coins, observers reach consensus on external chain events and states, and signers, in a distributed fashion, hold standard ECDSA/EdDSA keys to sign messages on behalf of ZetaChain. ZetaChain utilizes GG20 leaderless Threshold Signature Scheme (TSS), which does distributed key generation and key signing. No single ZetaChain node or other individual has access to the complete private key at any point in time. All the inbound/outbound transactions and decisions made (through state change) are recorded in the ZetaChain blocks, which are available, immutable, verifiable, and completely transparent.
The only native value that can go cross-chain is the ZETA coin. The mechanism is a one way peg (i.e. burning X amount on chain A and then minting X amount on chain B). This value-transfer architecture reduces the attack surface substantially, resulting in an easier to understand audit and superior security compared to approaches that involve bridging and wrapping, which put users’ assets at risk when trading between chains. For example, total supply checks may be implemented directly at the contract mint site.
ZETA is the platform token, and ZetaChain addresses the issue by connecting applications to all elements of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, enabling users to access all cryptographic assets simply, seamlessly, and securely. For developers, using ZetaChain makes accessing any blockchain and using Omnichain smart contracts easy. As the only decentralized blockchain and smart contract platform, ZetaChain facilitates messaging and value transfer between any blockchains and provides programmable capabilities to non-smart contract chains, achieving full interoperability of smart contracts.
How to Buy ZETA
1. How to Buy ZETA on Exchanges
Step 1: Choose a reputable exchange platform
Select a trustworthy platform from numerous exchanges to make your purchase. Some trusted platforms include Coinbase, Binance, OKX, among others.
Step 2: Register an account
Create an account on the chosen exchange platform. You may need to provide personal information (such as phone number, email) to complete the registration process.
Step 3: Complete identity verification
For security reasons, some platforms may require you to undergo identity verification. Follow the platform's instructions, providing necessary identity information (such as country/ID number) and undergo facial recognition if prompted. Once your identity is confirmed, you'll receive notification.
Step 4: Link your bank or payment method
Link your bank account or other payment methods to the exchange platform for making payments when purchasing ZETA.
Step 5: Purchase ZETA
Find the option to buy coins on the exchange platform, select the C2C buying process, then input the amount of cryptocurrency you wish to purchase. Typically, you'll choose to buy USDT first and then proceed with the purchase method. Simply place your order, make payment to the seller, and you'll receive the cryptocurrency. Once the payment is completed, you can use your exchange assets to buy ZETA.
Step 6: Store your ZETA
After purchase, you can choose to store ZETA in the digital wallet provided by the exchange platform or transfer it to a hardware wallet under your control.
Step 7: Security Tips
To protect your exchange account and ZETA assets, it's essential to use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
How to Buy ZETA via Over-the-Counter (OTC) Trading
Over-the-counter (OTC) ZETA trading occurs directly between buyers and sellers, bypassing exchanges or other intermediaries. Here are the general steps for OTC ZETA trading:
Step 1: Find an OTC trading channel
Start by finding a reliable OTC trading platform or service provider. These platforms typically offer online marketplaces or ways to connect with brokers for trading.
Step 2: Register an account
Sign up for an account on the chosen OTC trading platform. You may need to provide some personal information (phone/email) to complete the registration process.
Step 3: Complete identity verification
For security purposes, some platforms may require you to undergo identity verification. Follow the platform's instructions to provide necessary identity information (nationality/ID) and undergo facial recognition or other verification steps.
Step 4: Browse the trading list
After logging into your account, browse through the platform's trading list to find ZETA trades that interest you. You can choose trades based on the trader's reputation rating, trade volume, price, and payment methods.
Step 5: Select a trading partner
Once you find a suitable trade, click to enter the trading page and carefully review the trader's terms and conditions. Ensure you understand and agree to the trader's requirements, such as trade amount, payment method, trade time, etc.
Step 6: Negotiate trade details
After reaching an agreement with the trader, you can negotiate trade details such as trade amount, payment method, trade time, and location.
Step 7: Make payment
According to the agreement reached with the trader, use the chosen payment method to pay the ZETA purchase amount to the seller.
Step 8: Confirm receipt
Once the trader confirms receiving your payment, they will release ZETA to the ZETA address you provided. You can check your ZETA wallet balance after the trade to confirm its success.
3. How to Buy ZETA through Decentralized Exchanges (DEX)
Buying ZETA on decentralized exchanges (DEX) differs from purchasing other cryptocurrencies on centralized exchanges. Here are the general steps for buying ZETA on DEX:
Step 1: Choose a ZETA-supporting wallet
Create a new wallet supporting ZETA assets, then select a decentralized exchange that supports ZETA.
Step 2: Connect your wallet
Before using the DEX, you need to connect a wallet supporting the ZETA blockchain. You can connect your wallet to the selected DEX via browser extension or mobile application.
Step 3: Deposit funds
In your wallet, select deposit and choose the asset you want to deposit (such as stablecoins). Follow the wallet prompts to complete the deposit process.
Step 4: Find the trading pair
Search or browse for the ZETA trading pair on the DEX. Typically, you can find a search box or a list of trading pairs on the exchange's homepage or trading interface.
Step 5: Place an order
Once you find the ZETA trading pair, you can choose between market or limit orders and input the quantity you want to purchase. Ensure you input the correct price and quantity in the order, then confirm the order.
Step 6: Wait for the trade to execute
Your order will be submitted to the ZETA blockchain and wait for confirmation and execution by miners. Once the order is executed, you will receive the purchased ZETA, which you can view in your wallet balance.
Step 7: Withdraw funds
After completing the trade, you can choose to withdraw the purchased ZETA to your wallet for safer storage of your digital assets.
4. Official Channels for ZETA Project Team or Community
Sometimes, the ZETA project team or community may launch official channels for direct ZETA purchases. This may include private placements, presales, or other forms of direct sales.