Decentralized encrypted messenger app Session is launching its highly anticipated token, $SESH, on May 21, 2025. The Token Generation Event (TGE) coincides with the official launch of the new Session Network on mainnet, which follows a successful and extensive testing period as part of the application’s migration to Arbitrum.
Session has attracted over one million monthly active users, making it a popular dApp in crypto. It runs on a purpose-built DePIN network of over 2,000 nodes, enabling a unique feature set that offers total privacy and anonymity. Underpinning the decentralized network is the ecosystem’s native token, $SESH, which is used to reward its community for storing and routing Session messages, and keeping the Session Network running smoothly and securely.
SESH represents a robust security and incentive layer for the app, and its launch will also unlock benefits for Session’s users, including upcoming premium features – like Session Pro – and unique, tradeable nicknames via the Session Name Service. The upgrade will also lead to a stronger, larger, and more decentralized network.
“The Session token is the backbone of Session’s ecosystem,” said Chris McCabe, co-founder of Session. “It will drive both network security and user engagement. The Session Token community will become a key part of the network’s daily operations and play a vital role in ensuring there is a secure alternative to centralized communication platforms.”
The maximum token supply of SESH is 240 million, with up to 80 million tokens unlocked at TGE. A full breakdown of token distribution allocation and unlocks can be found here.
Over 13 million people have downloaded Session, which is viewed as a vital tool for protecting free speech, including for journalists, activists, and other people working in civil society.
The messaging application prioritizes minimizing metadata collection, ensuring anonymity and secure communication for its users, while also providing all the common features of leading messaging apps such as emoji reacts, calls, and group chats.
Session uses a low latency onion-routing protocol to protect the IP addresses of its users from node operators, would-be hackers, and even Session’s contributors themselves. This system is similar to Tor, except the network that powers it is sybil-resistant, and functionality is increased thanks to its network of dedicated node operators. Once this custom-built protocol is fully implemented in Session, it will be the first and only messaging app capable of high quality onion-routed voice and video calls.
The network requires users to stake 25,000 $SESH tokens to run a Session Node. This staking mechanism ensures operators have a vested interest in maintaining the network’s integrity and security, while also discouraging any malicious activity.
Session previously ran on its own custom-built L1 blockchain. In 2023, Session’s contributors commenced the process of migrating from the original L1 to an EVM-compatible network to help expand the Session ecosystem and onboard new operators and stakers. Supported by a grant from the Arbitrum Foundation, the new Session Network’s staking and rewards functionality are deployed on the Arbitrum One blockchain, with other functionality supported by the original L1 as an appchain.
“Arbitrum was a natural fit for Session based on its stability, low fees, and deep integration with the Ethereum ecosystem,” said Kee Jefferys, technical co-founder of Session,
Session is currently stewarded by the nonprofit Session Technology Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland.
“Switzerland is a hub for technologists working on privacy and freedom on the internet. Although Session has contributors from around the world, our Swiss foundation provides Session’s ecosystem with a secure guiding hand. ” Said Alexander Linton, President of the Session Technology Foundation
More: https://token.getsession.org/
About Session
Over 1 million people use Session every month for end-to-end encrypted, decentralized and fully anonymous messaging. Thanks to its robust metadata protection, onion routing and censorship-resistant DePIN network, Session is a popular and user-friendly alternative to centralized messaging apps that are vulnerable to surveillance and censorship.
