Send help that can't be intercepted
A regular bank transfer can be seen by an abusive partner — and make things worse. Zcash lets you send money that your loved one can actually access, safely and invisibly.
Step-by-step guide for supporters
You don't need to be a crypto expert. Follow these steps and your recipient will receive funds that their partner cannot see or intercept.
- Get the recipient's shielded address
Ask them to share their Zodl wallet address via Signal, in person, or another private channel. It will start with "u1..." or be a QR code. This is all you need.
- Buy ZEC on a cryptocurrency exchange
Open an account on Coinbase, Kraken, or Gemini (all US-regulated). Complete ID verification. Buy the amount of ZEC you want to send.
- Transfer ZEC from the exchange to your own Zodl wallet first
Download Zodl on your phone. Find your wallet's "Receive" address and copy it. In your exchange account, "Withdraw" ZEC to that address. Wait 10–20 minutes for it to arrive.
- Send from your Zodl wallet to the recipient's address
Open Zodl, tap "Send," paste their address (or scan their QR code), enter the amount. Tap send. The transaction is now private — amount, sender, and receiver are shielded.
- Confirm they received it
Ask via Signal or in person if the balance updated in their app. If yes, you're done. The funds are theirs, privately and permanently.
If you send ZEC directly from the exchange (without going through your own Zodl wallet first), the exchange uses a transparent address — which creates a visible record. Always transfer to your own Zodl wallet first, then send from there. This ensures the transaction arrives shielded.
What you need to know
How much should I send?
Start small — $20–$50 to confirm the system works. Then send regularly (weekly or monthly) rather than large lump sums. Regular small amounts build a meaningful fund over time.
Can I send anonymously?
The transaction itself is private. However, you will need to buy ZEC from an exchange using your ID. The exchange knows you bought ZEC — but they do not know where you sent it.
What if they don't have the app yet?
Share Module 4 of this guide with them — it walks through wallet setup in 10 minutes. They can read it in private browsing mode.
Is ZEC a reliable store of value?
ZEC's price fluctuates like other cryptocurrencies. For emergency funds, keep the amount practical — enough to cover immediate escape costs, not a long-term investment.
Can I donate to a shelter organization instead?
Yes. Some DV shelters now accept Zcash donations. See Get Help Now for a list of verified partner organizations.
Fund a shelter's emergency ZEC pool
Rather than sending to an individual, you can donate to a DV organization's ZEC wallet. They distribute emergency grants to survivors who need a financial starting point.
- Can be sent privately (no public record of donor identity)
- Arrives within minutes of sending
- Can be used to fund multiple survivors over time
- May be tax-deductible depending on your jurisdiction
- Distributed by shelter staff who know each client's specific situation
Donate to ZShieldHer
ZShieldHer is free, open-source, and runs without ads, trackers, or user accounts. If this work matters to you, donations in Zcash keep it running and independent. All donations arrive fully shielded — we cannot see who sent them, and neither can anyone else.
u1657p90kyutkvqzlwsjys6qlg7jpx8ulkjs2h8r3cgyvl2x0vze0xtpyg5c7gv068j6nuh2vj7vtch3xurey669wev0ptmkd747cuk07jk2e67sa0n0d56emasdkxn95362mmkd74y5ddy8u6aet5c8gvm7xnfmy0qkch0tjpcgtkc6rd - No public record — amount and sender are shielded end-to-end
- No account, email, or receipt needed
- Works from any wallet that supports Zcash Unified Addresses
- Minimum practical amount is any fraction of ZEC — no minimum
Sending directly from an exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.) uses a transparent address and creates a visible on-chain record linking you to the donation. Use Zodl or another shielded wallet so your support stays private. Follow steps 2–4 above if you need to move ZEC off an exchange first.