What is Secret Network? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Secret Network at a glance.

Secret Network is a Layer 1 blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK that adds data privacy to smart contracts. Unlike most public chains where contract data is visible to all, Secret keeps contract inputs, outputs, and state encrypted using trusted execution environments. It launched in 2020 with the native token SCRT. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

$1.7M

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Secret Network. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

SCRT

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live SCRT price.

How it works

How Secret Network works.

Secret Network uses Tendermint Byzantine fault tolerant consensus, the same family used across Cosmos chains. Validators stake SCRT to propose and validate blocks, and holders can delegate SCRT to validators to earn rewards. Nodes process encrypted contract data inside trusted execution environments without seeing the underlying values.

Consensus: Proof of Stake (Tendermint BFT)

Secret Network uses Tendermint Byzantine fault tolerant consensus, the same family used across Cosmos chains. Validators stake SCRT to propose and validate blocks, and holders can delegate SCRT to validators to earn rewards. Nodes process encrypted contract data inside trusted execution environments without seeing the underlying values.

Encrypted contracts

Secret Contracts keep their inputs, outputs, and internal state encrypted, so data handled by a contract is not exposed publicly on the chain.

Trusted execution

Validator nodes run contract code inside trusted execution environments, which process the encrypted data without revealing it to the node operator.

Viewing keys

A viewing key acts like an encrypted password that lets the owner, or someone they grant access to, see balances and transaction details for a specific token.

Cosmos SDK base

Secret is built with the Cosmos SDK and CosmWasm, so contracts are written in Rust and compile to WebAssembly, and the chain can connect to other Cosmos networks.

Ecosystem & usage

What Secret Network is used for.

Secret Network is used for privacy preserving tokens, applications, and tools across the Cosmos ecosystem.

DefiLlama

Private tokens

SNIP-20 tokens add privacy features to balances and transfers, so token activity is not openly visible the way it is on most public chains.

Confidential applications

Developers build applications that handle sensitive data on chain while keeping that data encrypted from the public and from node operators.

Staking and governance

SCRT holders stake or delegate to validators to secure the network and earn rewards, and they vote on governance proposals.

Top protocols by TVL · updated Jun 8, 2026

ShadeSwap · Dexs$669,113

stkd-SCRT · Liquid Staking$408,418

SecretSwap · Dexs$318,102

ShadeLend · Lending$272,555

SiennaSwap · Dexs$199,834

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend SCRT.

Secret Network is integrated in Zypto App. Hold SCRT in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold SCRT in Zypto How to buy SCRT

Be the reason Secret Network ships next.

Secret Network isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Secret Network?

Secret Network is a Cosmos based Layer 1 blockchain that adds privacy to smart contracts by keeping their inputs, outputs, and state encrypted. Its native token is SCRT.

What consensus does Secret Network use?

Secret Network uses Proof of Stake with Tendermint Byzantine fault tolerant consensus, built on the Cosmos SDK. Validators stake SCRT and holders can delegate to them.

What is SCRT used for?

SCRT is the native token. It is used to pay transaction fees, to stake for validating, to delegate to validators for rewards, and to vote on governance.

How does Secret Network keep data private?

Contract code runs inside trusted execution environments that process encrypted inputs, outputs, and state. Viewing keys let owners grant access to their own data.

Can I hold SCRT in Zypto App?

Not yet. SCRT isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Secret Network using the "Request Secret Network" button above.

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