▶ On-Chain-Data-vs-Privacy

Analyzing data pathways... Differentiating public vs. private data. Understanding your digital footprint on a public ledger is critical. Operate with awareness. █

> The Solana blockchain is a public database.
> This transparency is a feature for security and verification.
> However, SMT is designed to protect your personal communications.

> query: what_is_public_on-chain

"On-chain" refers to anything permanently recorded on the public Solana ledger. This data is transparent and viewable by anyone with a block explorer.

• Your Wallet Address: Your public key is, by definition, public.
• Transactions: Any transfer of assets (SOL, USDC, $SMT, NFTs) to or from your wallet is a public record. This includes payments into and out of the SMT escrow contract.
• Your Ad Listings: The core data of your ad (title, price, category) is stored decentrally to ensure it is censorship-resistant.

This public nature is what makes the system trustless. Anyone can verify that a seller was paid or that a buyer funded the escrow.

> query: what_is_private

SMT ensures that your sensitive, person-to-person interactions remain private.

• Chat Messages: Your conversations are handled through a secure, off-chain communication channel with end-to-end encryption. The content of your chats is not stored on the public blockchain. While the record is permanent within SMT for dispute resolution, it is not broadcast for the world to see.
• Profile Details: Your username, bio, and avatar are linked to your wallet address within the SMT system but are not core blockchain data.

SMT provides a hybrid system: the transparency of the blockchain for financial security, and the privacy of a dedicated communication channel for negotiations and interactions.

> Protocol Internals documentation complete.
> You are now fully briefed on the SMT architecture.