Anonymous Zaps on Nostr: Donate Without the Dox
Picture this: You want to back a cause that matters, a dissident dodging crackdowns in Iran, a UK whistleblower facing arrests over ancient posts, or an artist whose edge doesn't fit your feed. But in 2026, surveillance is everywhere. Centralized platforms like X leave IP trails, transaction logs, and public shouts. One wrong move, and it's backlash from family, followers, or worse.
Nostr flips the script. It's decentralized social with built-in privacy. Verify recipients via npub keys, no fakes. Then zap (send Lightning sats) anonymously: no receipts, no profile links. Pair with Cashu ecash for blind-signed payments, the mint sees value, not details. It's resistance tech: fund shelters, faiths, or fights quietly. Mobile-friendly, setup in minutes.
Here's your no-BS guide for Android (Amethyst focus). iOS? Swap to Primal (premium proxy), Spring, or Damus, flows match, notes added. Use Minibits for ecash, NWC for connections, privacy relays, and anon zaps. One wallet funds multiple IDs.
Quick Setup: Private Anonymous Zaps
- Grab the Apps
Minibits (Cashu wallet): GitHub releases or F-Droid (Android). Free, open-source privacy beast.
Why? Blind signatures = cash-like anonymity. Mint checks value, blind to spends.
Amethyst (Nostr client): Play Store or GitHub. iOS: Primal (premium cache), Spring, or Damus (App Store).
All handle NWC wallets + anon zaps.
- Minibits Setup
Open, create wallet. Backup seed (pen and paper, offline).
Fund anonymously:
Mint invoice (e.g., wallet.minibits.cash, nutstash.app): Tap +, pay from no-KYC Lightning (Boltz/Sideshift ATM conversion).
Friend sends ecash token (QR/share Lightning address).
P2P buy (HodlHodl/RoboSats), route to Minibits.
Stay off-chain, no ID links.
- Nostr Identity
Amethyst/iOS client: Settings > Accounts > Add (or import npub/nsec).
New keys for burners; main for trusted.
Pro: Multiple accounts in-app, public vs. private. Switch seamless.
- Link Minibits via NWC
Amethyst: Settings > Wallet > Connect > NWC. Copy string (nostrwalletconnect://...).
Minibits: Settings > Nostr Wallet Connect > Add > Paste > Approve.
Zaps now draw ecash privately, no on-chain.
iOS: Wallet/Payments section—same NWC.
Hack: One Minibits fuels all accounts/apps. Compartmentalize lives.
- Privacy Relays
Add in Amethyst: Settings > Relays > Add. Mix for speed/search/privacy:
wss://relay.damus.io (fast reads, public).
wss://nos.lol (paid, no-logs).
wss://relay.snort.social (search king).
wss://purplepag.es (paid privacy).
wss://eden.nostr.land (uptime champ).
Set home relay for writes.
Android extra: Citrus app > Add wss://localhost:8080 local data, no IP leak.
iOS: Primal > Settings > Privacy > Enhanced (proxy hides IP).
- Proxy Boost (Recommended)
Primal premium? Settings > My Cache > Copy URL (wss://cache1.primal.net/your-secret).
Amethyst: Settings > Relays > Proxy Relay > Paste > "All through proxy".
Traffic via Primal, relays blind to your IP.
iOS: Primal's Enhanced does it auto.
- Zap Anonymously
Find post/profile (search/follows).
Long-press ⚡.
Pick:
Public: Profile shows, receipt public.
Private: Encrypted, only sender/receiver see.
Anonymous: No receipt, no trace. Lightning onions path.
Amount (e.g., 2100 sats ~$2), from ecash.
Max anon: Burner npub + Cashu + anonymous.
- Pro Tips
Multi-ID: Add accounts, same NWC—ecash pool for all.
Exit to Monero: Redeem ecash > Lightning > FixedFloat (no-KYC XMR swap).
Test: Self-zap anon to burner, check no sender.
Secure: VPN/Tor downloads in risky spots. Guard NWC/cache.
10-15 mins to freedom. Nostr beats centralized BS, proxied metadata minimal. In Denmark/EU? Anon tech dodges data laws. Share to empower.
Questions? Zap me on Nostr or X.