> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zestprotocol.com/start/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zestprotocol.com/start/zest-token/zest.md).

# 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.

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)
* Ethereum: [0xf326c8c9a691319f6330e27aa4a39f2d22c88dc5](https://etherscan.io/address/0xf326c8c9a691319f6330e27aa4a39f2d22c88dc5)
* Base: [0x7297968ffb753dd12e4f6b1f18d9865c76707fc2 ](https://basescan.org/address/0x7297968ffb753dd12e4f6b1f18d9865c76707fc2)

<figure><img src="/files/914L8PwB26XDfWr40Y6s" 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 %}