> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/hinkal-prime/shield-and-unshield.md).

# Shield and Unshield

These two pages move funds between the organization public balance and the private balance. Nothing leaves the organization in either direction.

## Shield

Shielding moves funds from the connected wallet into the private balance inside the Hinkal smart contract.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Shield

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cde2b85dd68feab9348e499413128d2c609d1117%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.19.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select the token and network

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f09805fefa16ce720749a5164200e76677bd1a08%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.23.59%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enter the amount

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-66f8ae9aa633b29a3f8e660a73918ce2fa45b4d0%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%204.59.53%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm and sign

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ae2792d415aa1697e45bad3ce8bd2f26e7f19134%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.24.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

After shielding, the balance is controlled by the same wallet but is no longer visible as a public balance. Shield before a payout run when the payments should originate privately.

***

## Unshield

Unshielding moves funds from the private balance back to the connected public wallet.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Unshield

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-df9cc015c4392f24a42dae82f7cc833aa0500d6c%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.13.19%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select the token and network

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9eb58458472ff66a6940c5b97c797e7a4f79c759%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.13.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enter the amount

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1524b7b38ad07331f4f357304101ba057e8ea72f%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.14.04%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm

<figure><img src="https://400260740-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUoGzqKrjqkoPsx76Zeb7%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f59583eb3bed0614e1c73e5f9407146a39d9c6d6%2FScreenshot%202026-09-03%20at%205.07.58%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Unshield when funds need to go somewhere that expects a normal public balance, such as an exchange deposit or an external process that reads the wallet directly.

***

### Who can do this

Both actions are signed by the organization wallet, so an Owner performs them. Members see the resulting balances but cannot move funds between them.