Session, Messaging App is Launching SESH Token—Why? And What Do We Know About It?

Recent developments in the messaging app landscape, like platforms sharing IP addresses and phone numbers with third parties, have reignited debates about privacy, surveillance, and the need for decentralized solutions.

Privacy advocates and free speech supporters agree that we need messaging apps that don’t retain any personal information in the first place. Our information shouldn’t be stored on servers controlled by a single entity. Companies that genuinely care about user privacy eliminate their own access to data, reducing risks for their teams and users.

For many, the solution lies in decentralized messaging apps like Session, which eliminate the need for centralized servers altogether by leveraging blockchain technology, onion routing, and decentralized storage. Session ensures that not even the developers can access user data, offering a truly private messaging experience.

But now, Session is taking its mission a step further with the launch of its native token, $SESH. Why does a messaging app need a token? And what do we know about it?

The Problem with Centralized Messaging Platforms

Centralized messaging platforms have inherent vulnerabilities. Even those that promise end-to-end encryption often rely on centralized servers, creating single points of failure. These servers can become targets for government requests, corporate misuse, or cyberattacks, putting user data at risk.

For example:

• Many platforms require users to provide personal information, such as phone numbers or email addresses, during registration.
• Metadata, such as IP addresses and timestamps, is often stored and can be used to track users.
• Centralized servers are vulnerable to censorship, leaving users without access to free speech.

Session takes a fundamentally different approach. Built on a decentralized network, the app ensures that no single entity has control over user data, but to keep this decentralization we need community members, people like you and me, to run the nodes all around the world.  Those nodes are responsible for storing and routing your Session messages.

Thanks to these nodes your messages are stored across a distributed network, making it extremely difficult for any single party to access or censor user data, and this is where $SESH comes into play.

Why SESH (Session token) Matters?

To keep its network decentralized, Session needs to incentivize people to run nodes. Without incentives, who would do it? Family members aren’t exactly a decentralized solution, are they? To bring people from all over the world into the network. Node operators and contributors are rewarded with $SESH for validating transactions, storing messages, and maintaining network performance

SESH is changing the Private Messaging space

SESH must be acquired and ‘locked up’ to run a server, increasing the surveillance-resistance and security of the network by making it difficult for any one person or group to run a large portion of the network. By requiring node operators to stake tokens, Session ensures that participants are economically aligned with the network’s success, discouraging malicious activity and promoting long-term stability. This staking mechanism ensures that node operators have a vested interest in maintaining the network’s integrity and performance.

By introducing $SESH, Session aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where the growth of the network directly benefits its participants.

Higher rewards incentivize more node operators to join the network, improving its performance and scalability.

SESH Real World Utility

SESH will enable Premium Features. Users can burn $SESH tokens to access enhanced network functions, such as increased storage, faster routing speeds, and Session Pro subscriptions, which offer additional customization and functionality.

Also, web2 users can access these premium functions with fiat by using a third party provider who then burns Session Tokens on the user’s behalf. This ensures that users who want premium features can  always benefit the sustainability of the Session network.

More users purchasing premium features leads to more tokens being burned, which in turn increases the rewards available for node operators.

The Broader Implications for Digital Privacy

The concerns surrounding centralized messaging platforms are part of a larger trend. As metadata becomes a commodity, the need for decentralized, surveillance-resistant communication tools has never been greater.

Decentralized messaging apps like Session represent a shift toward Web3-native solutions, where users retain control over their data and privacy. By eliminating centralized servers and minimizing metadata exposure, these platforms offer a more secure alternative for activists, journalists, and privacy-conscious individuals.

The upcoming launch of $SESH represents a significant milestone for Session, as it seeks to create a sustainable and decentralized messaging ecosystem. While the exact launch date hasn’t been announced, it’s expected in Q1 2025.

For those interested in following the latest updates, Session Token’s official channel on X (https://x.com/session_token and https://x.com/session_app) are a great resource.