# ZEST

[**$ZEST**](https://x.com/search?q=%24ZEST\&src=cashtag_click) **is the native token of Zest Protocol,** the leading Bitcoin lending protocol and now expanding to Bitcoin L1 with [Bitcoin Collateral Vaults](https://x.com/ZestProtocol/status/2052066316068983026).

**$ZEST utility scales with the protocol.** 

When governance launches, holders participate in running the protocol. When staking launches, stakers capture protocol revenue from activity on Zest Protocol markets and Bitcoin Collateral Vaults.

Zest Protocol’s current priority remains execution: Bitcoin Collateral Vaults and growing TVL. **Governance and staking activate once the protocol has the scale to make them meaningful**. 

The official $ZEST contract addresses are:

* BNB chain: [0x5506599c722389a60580b5213ea1da60d64754a1](https://bscscan.com/token/0x5506599c722389a60580b5213ea1da60d64754a1)
* Stacks: [SP1A27KFY4XERQCCRCARCYD1CC5N7M6688BSYADJ7.zest-token](https://explorer.hiro.so/txid/SP1A27KFY4XERQCCRCARCYD1CC5N7M6688BSYADJ7.zest-token?chain=mainnet)

<figure><img src="/files/stlNOhKQtoptyYA1Fdu9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% content-ref url="/pages/GmQrF7BIADmADsGAlq08" %}
[Token Distribution](/start/zest-token/token-distribution.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/hQnZzXipaGnhZnqWW7mB" %}
[Airdrop](/start/zest-token/airdrop.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/GnMZkbvwjsDIPl88sd1Z" %}
[How to Bridge ZEST](/start/zest-token/how-to-bridge-zest.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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