Installation Setup

Overview

Introducing the first decentralized, EVM-compatible Bitcoin Layer 1, designed to enhance secure and seamless cross-chain interactions between Bitcoin and Ethereum. This innovation is a key part of the Unizen ecosystem, enabling a new era of interoperability and scalability for decentralized finance.

Zenchain has already secured $200 million in funding, underscoring strong confidence and support from the blockchain community and investors.

Here's how to participate as a self-node validator

1. Join the waitlist first to gain access to the faucet, Visit: https://www.zenchain.io/waitlist

2. After you register for the waitlist, claim the faucet here: https://faucet.zenchain.io/

Installation:

1. Update System Packages:

sudo su
apt update
sudo apt install -y curl wget tar jq git

1. Install Docker (if not installed):

apt install docker.io -y

1. Create a Folder and Set Permissions:

mkdir -p "$HOME/chain-data"
chmod -R 777 "$HOME/chain-data"

1. Run the Node (Temporary Setup - For Session Keys):

Replace YOURVALIDATORNAME with your desired validator name.

docker run \
    -d \
    --name zenchain \
    -p 9944:9944 \
    -v "$HOME/chain-data:/chain-data" \
    ghcr.io/zenchain-protocol/zenchain-testnet:latest \
    ./usr/bin/zenchain-node \
    --base-path=/chain-data \
    --rpc-cors=all \
    --rpc-methods=unsafe \
    --unsafe-rpc-external \
    --name=YOURVALIDATORNAME \
    --bootnodes=/dns4/node-7242611732906999808-0.p2p.onfinality.io/tcp/26266/p2p/12D3KooWLAH3GejHmmchsvJpwDYkvacrBeAQbJrip5oZSymx5yrE \
    --chain=zenchain_testnet

1. Run this command to retrieve the session key:

curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"id":1, "jsonrpc":"2.0", "method": "author_rotateKeys", "params":[]}' http://localhost:9944

• The session key will appear as a hexadecimal string starting with 0x. Remove the 0x prefix for the next steps.

1. Bind the Session Key to Your Wallet:

Add Zenchain RPC to OKX wallet:

• Network name : Zenchain Testnet

• RPC URL: https://zenchain-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public

• Chain ID: 8408

• SYMBOL: ZCX

• Block Explorer: https://zentrace.io/

In OKX Wallet, make sure it’s set to the Zenchain Testnet network. Initiate a transaction with these details:

• To: 0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000802

• Amount: 0

• Input Data:

0xf1ec919c00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000200000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000060 + session key without 0x go to your VPS and copy the session key

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1. Stop and Remove Docker Container:

docker rm -f zenchain

• Now that the session key is bound, run the node with the final setup command.

Replace YOURVALIDATORNAME with your validator name.

docker run \
    -d \
    --name zenchain \
    -p 9944:9944 \
    -v "$HOME/chain-data:/chain-data" \
    ghcr.io/zenchain-protocol/zenchain-testnet:latest \
    ./usr/bin/zenchain-node \
    --base-path=/chain-data \
    --validator \
    --name="YOURVALIDATORNAME" \
    --bootnodes=/dns4/node-7242611732906999808-0.p2p.onfinality.io/tcp/26266/p2p/12D3KooWLAH3GejHmmchsvJpwDYkvacrBeAQbJrip5oZSymx5yrE \
    --chain=zenchain_testnet

1. Check Docker Logs (Monitor the Node):

docker logs -f zenchain

1. Now, go to Validator Dashboard: https://node.zenchain.io/#/staking

• Cick Stake > Click To Your Account > Click Become a Validator > Input any amount you want to stake > Click Start Staking and Done!

1. Verify Node Status:

• After about 1–2 hours, check if your node is visible on the Zenchain validator list via the staking dashboard.

And, That's it! 🚀