> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://zerc20.gitbook.io/zerc20/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://zerc20.gitbook.io/zerc20/overview/readme.md).

# Introduction

<div align="center"><img src="/files/awoU1FxdLw5DVpo2g3DI" alt="" width="600"></div>

## Introduction

**zERC20** is a fully ERC-20 compliant crosschain private transfer token. Users can perform private transfers directly from standard wallets like MetaMask—no special software required. From an external observer's perspective, private transfers are indistinguishable from regular transfers.

### Key Features

* **ERC-20 Compatible**: Works with any wallet, DEX, or DeFi protocol that supports standard ERC-20 tokens
* **Private Transfers**: Send tokens without revealing the link between sender and recipient addresses
* **Crosschain Support**: Transfer privately across multiple blockchains via LayerZero where a token is configured for global mode
* **No Special Wallet Required**: Use MetaMask or any standard Ethereum wallet

### How It Works

1. A temporary "burn address" is cryptographically generated
2. The sender transfers zERC20 to this burn address (the tokens are effectively burned)
3. The recipient withdraws the same amount to any address using a zero-knowledge proof
4. The link between the burn address and the withdrawal address is never revealed on-chain

### Getting zERC20

zERC20 tokens are wrapper tokens backed 1:1 by underlying assets (USDC, ETH, BNB, JPYC, etc.). You can obtain them by:

* **Depositing** the underlying token through the [Frontend](https://app.zerc20.io/) or CLI
* **Purchasing** on decentralized exchanges like Uniswap

### Next Steps

* [How zERC20 Works](/zerc20/overview/how-it-works.md) — Understand the technical details
* [Using Frontend](/zerc20/for-users/getting-started.md) — Get started with the web app
* [Using the CLI](/zerc20/for-users/getting-started-1.md) — Get started with the command line


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://zerc20.gitbook.io/zerc20/overview/readme.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.