Transfer Zclassic to Eleos Wallet and Copy Private Keys
This is a frequently asked question on the ZenCash Slack. Here’s an answer…although if you a have more questions please ask below.
When the ZenCash launch happens, any owner of Zclassic at the time will get awarded the same amount of ZenCash as they own in Zclassic. If you remember, this is how Ethereum Classic (ETC) started, when Ethereum and ETC had a chain split, also known as a fork.
With ZenCash, we are doing this intentionally. There are good reasons to do it this way:
- Allows anyone to invest in ZenCash before launch, by buying Zclassic on an exchange at Bittrex or C-Cex.
- Provides a base amount of ZenCash so trading can start right away on exchanges.
- Rewards the early investors in Zclassic, who are the people that are contributing to ZenCash
The question is, how do I get my ZenCash???
One of the basic tenets of cryptocurrencies is that you can reduce the counterparty risk of relying on an exchange or a bank by holding and maintaining responsibility for your own cryptocurrency.
Ideally, this would be on a hardware wallet, or with an encrypted wallet.dat file, but there is no support for that in Zclassic right now. As a side note, for Zclassic to get a hardware wallet there would need to be a payment to a hardware wallet vendor for integration, and there is currently an open request for both Zcash and Zclassic to allow for the wallet file to be encrypted.
Because of this, you probably want to do as much as possible to make sure your wallet.dat file does not get copied from your computer. Do a nice general cleanup of your machine, maybe run a virus scan, that kind of stuff.
OK, enough delay. Here’s what you do. This works with any Zclassic wallet. I am going to demonstrate with the Eleos wallet because I know it will be one of the first GUI wallets to have ZenCash support.
(You can also export and import private keys using command line wallets as well. Although, if you are using a command line wallet, you probably don’t need this article either!)
Install the ZenCash Eleos Wallet on your Windows PC or Mac, or ZenCash Eleos Wallet for Linux.
Run it. It should look like this on Windows. And it looks almost the same on Mac. You may have to restart it once, and will probably have to wait while it updates the blockchain information. Then make sure you running the Zclassic version of the wallet.
If the Sync Status (shown in lower right corner) is not increasing, you may be having a network issue. Sometimes the Windows firewall blocks the wallet. It should usually pop up a screen asking if the application has permission to access the internet. You should allow the application access to the internet.
Put some Zclassic in the wallet. Not too much too start. Find your address first:
The login to Bittrex, go to your Wallets, and click on the Minus sign next to ZCL
Copy the address from your Eleos Wallet and paste it into the Bittrex field.
Then in a few minutes (if you are at 100% sync status), the Zclassic will show up in your wallet! That was a just a warmup to make sure you know how to do this for real. If you are going to transfer your Zclassic off Bittrex, you should do it at a few days before the fork just in case you run into any issues.
OK, let’s export our private keys from the Zclassic wallet, and import them into our Zcash wallet. This is almost, but not quite, like what you will do to import your keys into your ZenCash wallet. First, backup the wallet
To a file location
Then change your wallet to the Zcash version
You will need to start Eleos again after making this choice
Now import that wallet file that you previously exported. We are importing the Zclassic wallet file into the Zcash wallet, which also imports the private keys.
Hopefully you can find where you exported the backup to! If not, just do it again.
Now look at your addresses in Zcash
There’s no addresses there. That’s actually what we expected. As much as I would have like the same amount of Zcash to be in my wallet when I imported the Zclassic keys, it’s not going to happen. Now, when you import your Zclassic keys into your ZenCash wallet, there will be ZenCash in the wallet. That’s the plan, and it’s the whole purpose for this exercise.
There’s a problem with Zcash and Zclassic. Any wallet will let you send one coin to another. I’ve done this, and it’s no fun to feel like the cryptocurrency is lost forever. Make sure you doublecheck which currency you are using and sending to!
ZenCash won’t have that problem – the addresses will be different than Zcash and Zclassic.
Hopefully this helps clear up the process. If you have questions, please ask below.
More Information
Find out more about ZenCash here:
ZenCash Wiki
Also published on Medium.
May 7, 2017 @ 6:13 pm
I’m running eleos 0.0.3 on macOS 10.12.2. There are no menu options for backing up or importing wallets. Can I do with Console commands?
May 7, 2017 @ 8:54 pm
You could upgrade to the newest version. Or you can try your hand at command line. The applications are located in the mac directory of /Applications/eleos.app/Contents/Resources/app/
command should be something like
./zcl-cli z_exportwallet “testwallet.txt”
May 7, 2017 @ 10:01 pm
Here is what I did to export the wallet using command line on mac:
Close eleos walletopen terminal
cd /Applications/eleos.app/Contents/Resources/app
mkdir export
./zcl-cli stop
./zcld-mac -exportdir=/Applications/eleos.app/Contents/Resources/app/export --daemon
./zcl-cli z_exportwallet "testwallet"
ls export
May 7, 2017 @ 11:50 pm
I got Eleos 0.0.4 and was able to follow the instructions this time. Thanks for the fast help.
May 9, 2017 @ 11:13 am
So I went through this tutorial first without really sending the coins. Wanted to be sure how it works.
So of course I sent ZCL to ZEC address, because that’s how my wallet was after this tutorial. Maybe put a reminder in the end to change again to ZCL. It’s just very confusing after using Electrum and other wallets for ages. I just double checked the address like always, but didn’t cross my mind that my wallet was in the wrong mode, but after this tutorial it was. I guess my coins are gone for good.
So maybe put a reminder to in the end of the tutorial to change back to ZCL. I’m only using it so it just messes things up, when you change it back and forth. Maybe it’s just me, but I think the wallet should have it show in a bigger font which coin is active. Confusing for a noob.
May 10, 2017 @ 10:17 pm
sorry about that. Did you send it to a ZEC address you control? If so, you can export the ZEC keys and import to ZCL and the ZCL will show up.
I will update the blog post – thanks for the suggestion.
May 10, 2017 @ 3:33 am
i downloaded and installed but when i start to run the wallet i get an error during the initializing phase saying the wallet daemon could not be found (windows 10 x64)
also read on a steemit article that you are working on actually making sure ppl receive their zen even if they leave their zcl on bittrex. any truth to that?
May 10, 2017 @ 10:18 pm
Not sure about the daemon not being found on windows.
Yes, we are working to have Bittrex support to keep the ZCL on Bittrex. Should have an update in a few days.
May 11, 2017 @ 2:32 pm
you’re champions. honestly, that kind of support creates loyalty.
May 23, 2017 @ 10:55 am
same problem here. “cant find wallet daemon.” then the program auto closes.
what is that suppose to mean.
May 29, 2017 @ 11:24 am
I had that SAME exact issue, turns out what windows and the installer are complaining about is rather easy to fix, you just have to find the cli files, blockops will know what I mean by that because I cant remember what the files are actually named, and it wants to see them in a particular folder on windows in the program directory, and its not seeing them there, thus the complaint its throwing… so just copy those 3 files into a folder you’ll need to make yourself and then that’ll fix the complaining… the files actually I can look up and then give more info.
okay I’m on windows 7 x64 and for me, it was complaining that zcashd, zcash-cli and zcash-tx were not being found in program files (x86) and also not being found in program files directories on the C drive, so find those files and get them copied into a folder named Zclassic in those two folders and that SHOULD fix the complaining on windows side of things, it did for me at least.
May 29, 2017 @ 11:25 am
same thing goes for you, see my reply to the other person with this issue, it fixed it for me so see if it helps you both out, I think it might. at least assuming scenarios are fairly similar.
May 29, 2017 @ 12:11 pm
Did you get this sorted? if so could you please let me know how.
your saying the default install is wrong? and that we need to move files create new directories.
I already have zclassic app on my machine and its working fine. this new zen app i downloaded the .exe and it installed it to “C:Program Files (x86)eleos” im not going to mess about with the zclassic files in case i loose my coins. cant they make an installer that works on windows.
May 11, 2017 @ 8:22 am
Sorry for stupid question – I’m new in all kind of this stuff)))
I installed eleos wallet, it successfully made sinc.
There are three buttons in the wallet: transparent address, reuse private address and private address. Which one should I use to transfer my ZCL from Bittrex to my wallet? And pls explain me what is the difference between these addresses and for which purpose each one of them. Many thanks in advance)))
May 11, 2017 @ 2:49 pm
Use the transparent address to transfer from Bittrex to your wallet. Make sure you are in zclassic mode in the wallet first!
May 11, 2017 @ 2:52 pm
Private addresses allow you to make transactions as well as include up to 512 characters in a message field.
These transactions and the contents of the message field are completely encrypted the sender and the receiver and the amount in the message do not show up on the blockchain at all. The only thing that shows up on the blockchain is that a private transaction happened.
You can send from a transparent address to a private address, from a private address to a transparent address, from a private address to a private address, and from a transparent address to a transparent address. It’s a very flexible system.
The mathematical computation behind it is called the ZK-snark and you can research that to get more information.
May 11, 2017 @ 3:12 pm
Thank you very very mach)))
May 12, 2017 @ 12:43 am
Hello, i am having a bit of trouble restoring my Zclassic wallet and balance itself after backing it up. I attempt to restore my wallet using the import wallet option using the saved eleos-wallet.tar file, however when it ask me to restart and i reopen the eleos wallet nothing has been restored and no funds are showing. It was only a minuscule amount of Zclassic, but concerning should i add any large amount to the wallet for the snapshot and Zen. I dont want to be in a position where i cant restore my wallet!! Any idea what the issue could be?
May 12, 2017 @ 2:13 am
On second thought, would i use the wallet.dat files possibly to restore my addresses and balance? I dunno, i am a bit lost here.
May 14, 2017 @ 9:13 am
I am not sure what the issue is or what you can do about it. But there are definitely people who can help you out on the ZenCash slack – please join and ask your question there.
May 21, 2017 @ 8:48 pm
So whem ZEN is ON, i will can send my ZCL to a ZEN wallet via ? Like a convert?
May 22, 2017 @ 8:51 pm
You will be able to have both ZEN and ZCL. You will have the same amount of ZenCash in your wallet (after importing your Zclassic export_) as you had at Zclassic block 110,000
May 23, 2017 @ 10:17 am
So, actualy i have “x” ZCL on my eleos wallet… Them after day 23… After the eleaos wallet update to ZEN… I will can do a import of my back-up ZCL keys. and i will have the same amount on this two coins?
Egg: if i have 100 ZCL, and “export import” i will now have 100 ZCL and 100 ZEN?
Another question… Whem Eleos wallet will be ready for that? Once the actualy version dot not suport ZEN.
May 29, 2017 @ 11:38 am
So whats the answer to this “Can’t find wallet daemon” ? cant do anything until this is sorted? and this is step 1 omg.
May 30, 2017 @ 6:02 pm
TreadRPCServer incorrect password attempt from 127.0.0.1
TreadRPCServer incorrect password attempt from 127.0.0.1
TreadRPCServer incorrect password attempt from 127.0.0.1
TreadRPCServer incorrect password attempt from 127.0.0.1
TreadRPCServer incorrect password attempt from 127.0.0.1
I don’t think im ever going to get any Zen from my Zclassic its just not happening for me and every turn there is a new problem. ZClassic fork ya a forking pain in the arse.
May 30, 2017 @ 7:21 pm
What is the status on this? They didn’t make things very clear for a zencash wallet. Am I running the zcl daemon for zencash or what? A lot of people are gonna feel burned as they wont get their zen cash on time
May 31, 2017 @ 5:12 am
Kevin yes its a shambles and it seems no one cares, I’m just glad i didn’t buy to much Zclassic now. because its all im going to end up with.
June 1, 2017 @ 3:26 pm
I am trying to import my wallet.dat from Zclassic Wallet into ZEC in Eleo Wallet. The following error msg appear. The ZCL in my wallet.dat is before the 110,000 block, and is not stored in Eleo Wallet. Or how to import private address from my Zclassic Wallet into ZEC in Eleo Wallet? I have tried to send 10 ZCL from Zclassic Wallet after the 110,000 block to ZCL Eleo Wallet and do the backup and reimport into ZEC Eleo Wallet but I did not see any Zen Cash. Again, the ZCL I sent to Eleo Wallet is after the 110,000 block. Please help. Thank you.
A JavaScript error occurred in the main process Error Invalid tar header….
June 1, 2017 @ 3:34 pm
The Eleos wallet hasn’t been released officially yet, still in QA. Give it a few days and that should be ready. For now, we have Unix, Mac, and Windows command line wallets.
June 1, 2017 @ 3:58 pm
thank you. Does it mean I can directly import my wallet.dat from Zclassic Wallet into ZEC Eleos wallet (without sending it to Eleos ZCL wallet and do a back up and reimport) when Eleos is ready in a few day?
Thank you again!
June 1, 2017 @ 8:54 pm
fixed that error with creating a .tar file with 7zip and putting the wallet.dat inside, as thats what eleos seems to do. also renamed my old wallet.dat from the zclassic wallet accordingly.
But don’t get your hopes up, I don’t get the error any more, but I don’t get any zencash either…
June 5, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
So I had a ZCL Windows Wallet – that isn’t Eleos. I should have just left it all on Bittrex, but that wasn’t announced until after I transferred the funds into the wallet. If I transfer the ZCL into the Eleos wallet it will be after block 110,000 and I will not get the credit towards ZenCash, correct? How am I able to get the keys set over to the Eleos Zen wallet? I am not super tech savvy.
June 5, 2017 @ 8:49 pm
I am having the same problem…..
June 5, 2017 @ 11:25 pm
I am glad I’m not alone. Let me know if you find a solution!
June 6, 2017 @ 6:59 am
I had the same thing where my Zclassic was on a “none” Eleos wallet, But i still exported the wallet.dat Then i opened and used the “restore from zcl” in the menu of the new Eleos wallet that now supports Zen. and i got my zen now.
I’m sure someone could explain this better and its a shame there is not more support for this sort of thing.
Good Luck
June 7, 2017 @ 8:59 pm
Tried this AGAIN on another computer to see if it was an issue with my PC. I get “A JavaScript error occurred in the main process”. The next line says “Uncaught Exception”. The wallet shuts down at this point. This has happened on two separate computers with the most recent version of the wallet. Can someone from the Zen team please help??
June 6, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
Is there someone on the Zen team I can hire to help me through this? I am more than happy to pay for your time, unfortunately none of the steps illustrated on the site are working at this point and I literally can’t access my ZenCash.
June 6, 2017 @ 5:00 pm
Austin, you first need to use the latest version of Eleos version 0.0.5 if you have not done so yet.
The new version will have Zclassic, Zcash, and ZENcash in the Set Coin tab. Then make a wallet.dat backup from your Zclassic Wallet (not the Eleos ZCL in your case). Run your Eleos 0.0.5 wallet to sync to 100% then click on File, choose Restore Zen from ZCL Wallet.dat
You will then have your Zencash. Good Luck.
June 7, 2017 @ 10:41 am
So I attempted to do all of that, but the Zen wallet is currently getting stuck at “Loading Block Index” and just keeps clicking over with this message. If I change it to ZCL it will download all the information just fine, but nothing when it is over to Zen. Do I need to reinstall the wallet? I attempted uploading from the wallet.dat file and the wallet crashed the first time, not I am getting this issue.
June 7, 2017 @ 11:42 am
May be u try to download the latest version of eleos in another computer to see it works.
June 7, 2017 @ 9:00 pm
Tried this AGAIN on another computer to see if it was an issue with my PC. I get “A JavaScript error occurred in the main process”. The next line says “Uncaught Exception”. The wallet shuts down at this point. This has happened on two separate computers with the most recent version of the wallet. Can someone from the Zen team please help??
June 8, 2017 @ 10:35 am
May be u can try the new version on window 10 pro. I think I had similar problem when downloading the new version on home version.
June 8, 2017 @ 6:40 am
Just out of curiosity does anyone know if the 1-1 zcl-zen have a time limit to get the 1-1?
June 8, 2017 @ 12:02 pm
That time has passed. It was prior to block 110,000 which was a few weeks back. It was prior to the release of Zen on Bittrex.
June 8, 2017 @ 1:51 pm
i didn’t mean that i meant to say does the 1-1 have an expiration date for eg if someone don’t grab their zen for say 5 years would it ever expire or will it always be there all you need to do is import the wallet with the pre block 110,000 zcl
June 8, 2017 @ 12:04 pm
So I am going to try doing this again and see if I can get it figured out, but is there no support from Zen? Like a support email or anything? I can’t figure out how to contact anyone regarding this issue. Frustrated in showing my support by investing prior to the release and getting no love back to help me recoup my investment.
June 8, 2017 @ 3:08 pm
Try the new version on window 10 PRO
November 8, 2017 @ 4:45 am
I have been using zcash4mac. I have coins in the Z-addr that I cannot seem to withdraw (transfer) to another address, specifically a T-addr. I have been bumping into different types of errors.
I only have the wallet.dat and the private key shown by the platform. Is there any way that I can use Eleos to tap into the wallet.dat and sync to the blockchain to put my coins in Eleos?