What Is Status?

Status (SNT) is an open-source messaging platform and Web3 browser built on Ethereum. Co-founded by Jarrad Hope and Carl Bennetts, who had a six-year working relationship before the project, Status aims to provide a censorship-resistant communication tool that combines encrypted messaging, a cryptocurrency wallet, and a decentralized application browser in a single mobile and desktop application. Hope and Bennetts previously operated a software distribution network that drove over 20 million installs and generated the profits that funded Status's early development. The project raised over $100 million in an ICO in June 2017, distributing Status Network Tokens (SNT) at a rate of 10,000 SNT per 1 ETH, which at the time was one of the largest token sales in Ethereum history.

Overview - Table of Contents
What Is Status?
Getting Started With Status
How To Get A Status Wallet?
Status Resources
How To Buy Status?
Latest Status News

The messaging layer of Status originally used Ethereum's Whisper protocol (SHH) for peer-to-peer communication, but the team developed Waku as a more scalable and practical successor. Waku provides end-to-end encrypted, censorship-resistant messaging without relying on centralized servers. Messages are relayed through a distributed network of nodes, making it difficult for any single entity to block or surveil communications. A key challenge the team solved was decentralized push notifications -- because there are no central servers to send alerts when a message arrives, Status created a market for push notification providers where users can deposit SNT with a node operator who stores offline messages and delivers notifications, giving users the choice of provider rather than defaulting to Google or Apple services.

Status includes a built-in Ethereum wallet that allows users to store, send, and receive ETH and ERC-20 tokens directly within the app. The integrated Web3 browser enables users to access Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) such as Uniswap, Aave, and others without needing a separate browser or wallet extension. The messenger-as-a-platform approach was inspired by the success of WeChat in China, where a single app serves as a gateway to payments, services, and social interaction -- but built on decentralized rather than centralized infrastructure. Status requires no email, phone number, or personal information to create an account; identity is based on cryptographic key pairs.

The SNT token serves multiple utility functions within the ecosystem. It is required for registering human-readable ENS (Ethereum Name Service) usernames within Status, replacing long hexadecimal addresses with memorable names. SNT powers the "Tribute to Talk" feature, which requires new contacts to stake SNT before initiating a conversation, acting as an anti-spam mechanism. The token is also used for governance over the Status client's development direction, community curation, and access to the Status Sticker Market. Status Communities, a feature for group organization, uses SNT for membership management and moderation.

Beyond the Status app itself, the Status Network develops several important Ethereum infrastructure projects. Nimbus is a lightweight Ethereum consensus client designed to run on resource-restricted devices like phones and embedded hardware, contributing to Ethereum's client diversity. The Keycard is an open-source, contactless hardware wallet (a smart card form factor) that integrates directly with the Status app for secure private key management. The Waku protocol is maintained as a standalone project with applications beyond Status, serving any application that needs decentralized, censorship-resistant communication.

Getting Started With Status

Step 1: Download Status. Download the Status app from status.app for iOS, Android, or desktop. The app is free and open source.
Step 2: Create Your Account. Set up your Status account with a display name and a cryptographic key pair. Status does not require email, phone number, or any personal information to create an account, preserving your privacy.
Step 3: Start Messaging. Send encrypted messages to other Status users, join public channels for community discussions, or create group chats. All messages are encrypted end-to-end using the Waku protocol.
Step 4: Explore Web3. Use the built-in wallet to manage your Ethereum assets and the browser to interact with decentralized applications. You can also register a custom ENS username using SNT tokens.

How to Get a Status Wallet?

Status App

The Status app includes a built-in Ethereum wallet that is created automatically when you set up your account. This wallet supports ETH, SNT, and all ERC-20 tokens, and can interact with Ethereum dApps through the integrated browser.

MetaMask

SNT is an ERC-20 token and can be stored in MetaMask or any Ethereum-compatible wallet. This is a good option if you want to hold SNT separately from the Status application.

Hardware Wallets

Ledger and Trezor support SNT as an ERC-20 token. Status also developed the Keycard, an open-source contactless hardware wallet that integrates directly with the Status app for secure key management.

Status Resources

How to Buy Status?

SNT tokens can be purchased on centralized exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, and KuCoin. Create an account, complete verification, deposit funds, and trade for SNT.

For decentralized options, SNT can be swapped on Uniswap and other Ethereum-based DEXs by trading ETH or other ERC-20 tokens. You can also use the Status app's built-in wallet to interact with DEXs directly.

Latest Status News

Status continues to develop its secure messaging and Web3 platform with ongoing improvements to the Waku protocol, wallet functionality, and user experience. The project has been working toward greater decentralization of its messaging infrastructure and expanding the capabilities of the Status app as a comprehensive gateway to the Ethereum ecosystem. The broader Status Network continues to contribute to Ethereum infrastructure through projects like the Nimbus consensus client.