Donate anonymously using zk.money
You can donate anonymously to the AssangeDAO. In this tutorial we will anonymize our ETH using zk.money.
This process will take 6 hours, but it's cheap. If you'd like a faster alternative, check out our tutorial on Tornado Cash.
To do this you will need to operate two seperate Ethereum accounts. In this tutorial we will create a fresh Metamask account. We'll then talk through the process of anonymizing ETH through zk.money.
Finally, we'll donate to the AssangeDAO.
Step 1: Create a fresh Ethereum account
If you don't have an Ethereum wallet already, create one. We will call this Wallet1 as it is where your ETH originates from.
To anonymize ETH, we must create a second Ethereum account. To do this, simply download Metamask on a different browser and create a brand new seed. It is important to use an entirely different seed to Wallet1 to minimize the risk of linking the accounts.
If you want to be highly secure, download Metamask on Tor Browser (Metamask for Firefox will work fine). Do not use a VPN when you are interacting with Tor as it will reduce your overall anonymity. Make sure to select 'Allow' in Settings -> Extensions and Themes -> Run in Private Windows.
If you don't use Tor, use a browser like Brave alongside a VPN.
Once you have downloaded Metamask on this new browser, create an account and backup your seed. Copy and paste your account's public key onto a text file. We'll use this later on. We will now refer to this account as Wallet2.
Step2: Anonymize your ETH
On the browser associated with Wallet1, navigate to the zk.money website. Connect Wallet1 to zk.money. Pick a username to set as your alias.
Then click 'Register'. This may take several minutes. Do not close the window until you see the dashboard.
Deposit at least 0.01 ETH for the username registration to be complete. You'll be able to withdraw your tokens later or include them in the donation.
Now convert your ETH to zkETH by shielding your coins. Shield your preferred asset by clicking the “Shield” button on your dashboard. You can reduce the time the shielding will take by paying a higher transaction fee here.
Keep waiting until SHIELD + ACCOUNT transactions are settled. Only then is your username successfully registered. This may take a few hours.
You’ll be able to track your transaction status in the dashboard. Please note that while your account balance may show zkETH available, you won’t be able to send any funds until your new sendable balance is settled.
Once you have zkETH, you are now in privacy mode. The entire process may take several hours so do not stress if it does not show up directly.
Now that the ETH has been anonymized, send it to Wallet2. Simply paste the recipient details into the recipient section.
The coins received by Wallet2 will be normal clearnet ETH. However, the transaction history will have been anonymized. Etherscan will show the funds were sent from the Aztec contract to Wallet2.
Step 3: Donate to AssangeDAO
Follow the instructions on JuiceBox to donate to the AssangeDAO from Wallet2. Do so either over VPN or Tor Browser.
"The universe smiles on encryption."
— Julian Assange
Disclaimer:
This tutorial is for informative purposes only. Though we did our best, this tutorial may contain errors. We make no representation as to the tutorial's accuracy or completeness. We take no liability for any losses arising out of or in connection with the information provided or any other action or transaction related thereto. This tutorial should not be construed as an endorsement of zk.money or as a recommendation to engage in any transaction or taken as the basis for making decisions. You are solely responsible for your own transactions and decisions.