ChatterPay Brings Cardano Staking and DRep Delegation to WhatsApp

ChatterPay has introduced Cardano staking and governance delegation to its WhatsApp wallet. Users can choose a stake pool for their ADA and assign their governance voting power to a delegated representative, known as a DRep.

The feature builds on ChatterPay’s existing support for sending ADA and Cardano stablecoins through text and voice messages. Governance choices can be reviewed and changed through the project’s web app.

How Staking Works in ChatterPay

Staking begins with the wallet holder’s consent and selection of a stake pool. Delegated ADA remains available in the wallet and can still be spent. Eligible rewards accumulate in the associated Cardano reward account.

Registering a stake credential requires a refundable network deposit and a transaction fee. The Cardano protocol returns the deposit when the credential is deregistered. Initial rewards generally arrive after several epochs, depending on the pool’s activity.

Users can also change their stake pool or withdraw accumulated rewards. Each action is separate from the initial delegation.

Governance Delegation Starts With Abstain

Cardano allows ADA holders to delegate governance voting power to a DRep or select one of two predefined options: Abstain or No Confidence. Delegating voting power does not transfer ownership of the ADA.

ChatterPay’s Tomás Di Mauro explained that the wallet starts with Abstain as the governance choice. Users can review that selection and change it through the web app.

Stake pool delegation and governance delegation are independent. A user can change pools without changing their governance choice, or select a different DRep while remaining with the same pool.

Following Cardano’s Plomin upgrade, a stake credential must have a governance delegation before its holder can withdraw staking rewards. Selecting a DRep or either predefined option meets that requirement.

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From WhatsApp Payments to Cardano Staking

ChatterPay introduced Cardano support in September, enabling users to send ADA and supported stablecoins through WhatsApp messages. The payment service uses phone numbers to direct transfers, with recipients able to access a wallet without installing a separate Cardano wallet application in advance.

The project is also part of the Apex Growth Accelerator, a program involving Draper University, the Cardano Foundation and Orion Fund. The addition of staking and governance delegation gives ChatterPay users access to further Cardano network functions alongside transfers.