diff --git a/api/paidAction/zap.js b/api/paidAction/zap.js
index 66b4d6a0c..96eb0b3be 100644
--- a/api/paidAction/zap.js
+++ b/api/paidAction/zap.js
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@ export async function getSybilFeePercent () {
 }
 
 export async function perform ({ invoiceId, sats, id: itemId, ...args }, { me, cost, sybilFeePercent, tx }) {
+  const item = await tx.item.findUnique({ where: { id: parseInt(itemId) } })
+  if (item.userId === USER_ID.delete) {
+    throw new Error('cannot zap deleted content')
+  }
+
   const feeMsats = cost * sybilFeePercent / 100n
   const zapMsats = cost - feeMsats
   itemId = parseInt(itemId)
@@ -144,7 +149,40 @@ export async function onPaid ({ invoice, actIds }, { tx }) {
         "stackedMsats" = users."stackedMsats" + recipients.mcredits,
         "stackedMcredits" = users."stackedMcredits" + recipients.mcredits
       FROM recipients
-      WHERE users.id = recipients."userId"`
+      WHERE users.id = recipients."userId" AND users."deletedAt" IS NULL`
+
+    // Donate msats that would have gone to deleted users to the rewards pool
+    const deletedUserMsats = await tx.$queryRaw`
+      WITH forwardees AS (
+        SELECT "userId", ((${itemAct.msats}::BIGINT * pct) / 100)::BIGINT AS mcredits
+        FROM "ItemForward"
+        WHERE "itemId" = ${itemAct.itemId}::INTEGER
+      ), total_forwarded AS (
+        SELECT COALESCE(SUM(mcredits), 0) as mcredits
+        FROM forwardees
+      ), recipients AS (
+        SELECT "userId", mcredits FROM forwardees
+        UNION
+        SELECT ${itemAct.item.userId}::INTEGER as "userId",
+          ${itemAct.msats}::BIGINT - (SELECT mcredits FROM total_forwarded)::BIGINT as mcredits
+      )
+      SELECT COALESCE(SUM(recipients.mcredits), 0)::BIGINT as msats
+      FROM recipients
+      JOIN users ON users.id = recipients."userId"
+      WHERE users."deletedAt" IS NOT NULL`
+
+    if (deletedUserMsats.length > 0 && deletedUserMsats[0].msats > 0) {
+      // Convert msats to sats and donate to rewards pool
+      const donationSats = Number(deletedUserMsats[0].msats / 1000n)
+      if (donationSats > 0) {
+        await tx.donation.create({
+          data: {
+            sats: donationSats,
+            userId: USER_ID.sn // System donation
+          }
+        })
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   // perform denomormalized aggregates: weighted votes, upvotes, msats, lastZapAt
diff --git a/api/resolvers/item.js b/api/resolvers/item.js
index a03a0cf9c..c84053297 100644
--- a/api/resolvers/item.js
+++ b/api/resolvers/item.js
@@ -971,7 +971,7 @@ export default {
         FROM "Item"
         WHERE id = $1`, Number(id))
 
-      if (item.deletedAt) {
+      if (item.deletedAt || item.userId === USER_ID.delete) {
         throw new GqlInputError('item is deleted')
       }
 
diff --git a/api/resolvers/user.js b/api/resolvers/user.js
index f73f6bc34..2475a5514 100644
--- a/api/resolvers/user.js
+++ b/api/resolvers/user.js
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { createHash } from 'crypto'
 import { readFile } from 'fs/promises'
 import { join, resolve } from 'path'
 import { decodeCursor, LIMIT, nextCursorEncoded } from '@/lib/cursor'
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ import { hashEmail } from '@/lib/crypto'
 import { isMuted } from '@/lib/user'
 import { GqlAuthenticationError, GqlAuthorizationError, GqlInputError } from '@/lib/error'
 import { processCrop } from '@/worker/imgproxy'
+import { deleteItemByAuthor } from '@/lib/item'
 
 const contributors = new Set()
 
@@ -656,6 +658,101 @@ export default {
   },
 
   Mutation: {
+    deleteAccount: async (parent, { confirmation, donateBalance }, { me, models }) => {
+      if (!me) {
+        throw new GqlAuthenticationError()
+      }
+
+      if (confirmation !== 'DELETE MY ACCOUNT') {
+        throw new GqlInputError('incorrect confirmation text')
+      }
+
+      return await models.$transaction(async (tx) => {
+        await tx.user.upsert({
+          where: { id: USER_ID.delete },
+          update: {},
+          create: {
+            id: USER_ID.delete,
+            name: 'delete'
+          }
+        })
+
+        const user = await tx.user.findUnique({
+          where: { id: me.id },
+          select: {
+            msats: true,
+            mcredits: true,
+            name: true
+          }
+        })
+
+        const totalBalance = user.msats + user.mcredits
+        if (totalBalance > 0 && !donateBalance) {
+          throw new GqlInputError('please withdraw your balance before deleting your account or confirm donation to rewards pool')
+        }
+
+        // If user has balance and confirmed donation, add to donations
+        if (totalBalance > 0 && donateBalance) {
+          await tx.donation.create({
+            data: {
+              sats: Number(totalBalance / 1000n), // Convert msats to sats
+              userId: me.id
+            }
+          })
+
+          // Zero out user balance
+          await tx.user.update({
+            where: { id: me.id },
+            data: {
+              msats: 0,
+              mcredits: 0
+            }
+          })
+        }
+
+        const items = await tx.item.findMany({ where: { userId: me.id } })
+        for (const item of items) {
+          await deleteItemByAuthor({ models: tx, id: item.id, item })
+        }
+
+        // Always move user's content to the @delete user
+        await tx.item.updateMany({
+          where: { userId: me.id },
+          data: { userId: USER_ID.delete }
+        })
+
+        // Remove all attached wallets
+        await tx.wallet.deleteMany({
+          where: { userId: me.id }
+        })
+
+        // Create deletion timestamp and hash the old username with it
+        const deletionTimestamp = new Date()
+        const usernameHashInput = `${user.name}${deletionTimestamp.toISOString()}`
+        const hashedUsername = createHash('sha256').update(usernameHashInput).digest('hex')
+
+        // Mark user as deleted and anonymize data
+        await tx.user.update({
+          where: { id: me.id },
+          data: {
+            deletedAt: deletionTimestamp,
+            name: hashedUsername,
+            email: null,
+            emailVerified: null,
+            emailHash: null,
+            image: null,
+            pubkey: null,
+            apiKeyHash: null,
+            nostrPubkey: null,
+            nostrAuthPubkey: null,
+            twitterId: null,
+            githubId: null
+          }
+        })
+
+        return true
+      })
+    },
     disableFreebies: async (parent, args, { me, models }) => {
       if (!me) {
         throw new GqlAuthenticationError()
diff --git a/api/ssrApollo.js b/api/ssrApollo.js
index d5513b7d9..5fd9ccbf6 100644
--- a/api/ssrApollo.js
+++ b/api/ssrApollo.js
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ import { MULTI_AUTH_ANON, MULTI_AUTH_LIST } from '@/lib/auth'
 
 export default async function getSSRApolloClient ({ req, res, me = null }) {
   const session = req && await getServerSession(req, res, getAuthOptions(req))
+
+  let meUser = me
+  if (session?.user) {
+    meUser = session.user
+  }
+
   const client = new ApolloClient({
     ssrMode: true,
     link: new SchemaLink({
@@ -28,9 +34,7 @@ export default async function getSSRApolloClient ({ req, res, me = null }) {
       }),
       context: {
         models,
-        me: session
-          ? session.user
-          : me,
+        me: meUser,
         lnd,
         search
       }
diff --git a/api/typeDefs/user.js b/api/typeDefs/user.js
index 1e7155914..298a13840 100644
--- a/api/typeDefs/user.js
+++ b/api/typeDefs/user.js
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ export default gql`
     generateApiKey(id: ID!): String
     deleteApiKey(id: ID!): User
     disableFreebies: Boolean
+    deleteAccount(confirmation: String!, donateBalance: Boolean, deleteContent: Boolean): Boolean
   }
 
   type User {
@@ -70,6 +71,7 @@ export default gql`
     bioId: Int
     photoId: Int
     since: Int
+    deletedAt: Date
 
     """
     this is only returned when we sort stackers by value
diff --git a/components/item.js b/components/item.js
index 0ae1d0afb..91b142d68 100644
--- a/components/item.js
+++ b/components/item.js
@@ -115,7 +115,9 @@ export default function Item ({
               ? <DownZap width={24} height={24} className={styles.dontLike} item={item} />
               : Number(item.user?.id) === USER_ID.ad
                 ? <AdIcon width={24} height={24} className={styles.ad} />
-                : <UpVote item={item} className={styles.upvote} />}
+                : Number(item.user?.id) === USER_ID.delete
+                  ? null
+                  : <UpVote item={item} className={styles.upvote} />}
         <div className={styles.hunk}>
           <div className={`${styles.main} flex-wrap`}>
             <Link
diff --git a/fragments/items.js b/fragments/items.js
index 151587a20..62c8210dd 100644
--- a/fragments/items.js
+++ b/fragments/items.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ export const ITEM_FIELDS = gql`
       id
       name
       meMute
+      deletedAt
       ...StreakFields
     }
     sub {
@@ -100,6 +101,7 @@ export const ITEM_FULL_FIELDS = gql`
       user {
         id
         name
+        deletedAt
         ...StreakFields
       }
       sub {
diff --git a/lib/auth.js b/lib/auth.js
index 23da782a0..a2d4fa76d 100644
--- a/lib/auth.js
+++ b/lib/auth.js
@@ -35,6 +35,18 @@ export const cookieOptions = (args) => ({
   ...args
 })
 
+// Add a function to handle checking for deleted accounts
+export const checkDeletedAccount = async (user, prisma) => {
+  if (!user?.id) return false
+
+  const dbUser = await prisma.user.findUnique({
+    where: { id: user.id },
+    select: { deletedAt: true }
+  })
+
+  return !!dbUser?.deletedAt
+}
+
 export function setMultiAuthCookies (req, res, { id, jwt, name, photoId }) {
   const httpOnlyOptions = cookieOptions()
   const jsOptions = { ...httpOnlyOptions, httpOnly: false }
diff --git a/pages/api/auth/[...nextauth].js b/pages/api/auth/[...nextauth].js
index 8070d6ea3..25f0e2cc8 100644
--- a/pages/api/auth/[...nextauth].js
+++ b/pages/api/auth/[...nextauth].js
@@ -93,6 +93,19 @@ function getCallbacks (req, res) {
      * @return {object}            JSON Web Token that will be saved
      */
     async jwt ({ token, user, account, profile, isNewUser }) {
+      // Check if the user account is deleted
+      if (user?.id) {
+        const dbUser = await prisma.user.findUnique({
+          where: { id: user.id },
+          select: { deletedAt: true }
+        })
+
+        if (dbUser?.deletedAt) {
+          // Return false to prevent sign in for deleted accounts
+          return false
+        }
+      }
+
       if (user) {
         // reset signup cookie if any
         res.appendHeader('Set-Cookie', cookie.serialize('signin', '', { path: '/', expires: 0, maxAge: 0 }))
@@ -139,8 +152,18 @@ function getCallbacks (req, res) {
     async session ({ session, token }) {
       // note: this function takes the current token (result of running jwt above)
       // and returns a new object session that's returned whenever get|use[Server]Session is called
-      session.user.id = token.id
+      if (token?.id) {
+        const dbUser = await prisma.user.findUnique({
+          where: { id: token.id },
+          select: { deletedAt: true }
+        })
+
+        if (dbUser?.deletedAt) {
+          return null
+        }
+      }
 
+      session.user.id = token.id
       return session
     }
   }
diff --git a/pages/settings/index.js b/pages/settings/index.js
index 93cbc5996..30f3163ef 100644
--- a/pages/settings/index.js
+++ b/pages/settings/index.js
@@ -1,15 +1,12 @@
 import { Checkbox, Form, Input, SubmitButton, Select, VariableInput, CopyInput } from '@/components/form'
-import Alert from 'react-bootstrap/Alert'
-import Button from 'react-bootstrap/Button'
-import InputGroup from 'react-bootstrap/InputGroup'
-import Nav from 'react-bootstrap/Nav'
+import { Alert, Button, InputGroup, Nav, OverlayTrigger, Tooltip } from 'react-bootstrap'
 import Layout from '@/components/layout'
 import { useState, useMemo } from 'react'
 import { gql, useMutation, useQuery } from '@apollo/client'
 import { getGetServerSideProps } from '@/api/ssrApollo'
 import LoginButton from '@/components/login-button'
-import { signIn } from 'next-auth/react'
 import { LightningAuthWithExplainer } from '@/components/lightning-auth'
+import { signIn, signOut } from 'next-auth/react'
 import { SETTINGS, SET_SETTINGS } from '@/fragments/users'
 import { useRouter } from 'next/router'
 import Info from '@/components/info'
@@ -18,6 +15,7 @@ import AccordianItem from '@/components/accordian-item'
 import { bech32 } from 'bech32'
 import { NOSTR_MAX_RELAY_NUM, NOSTR_PUBKEY_BECH32, DEFAULT_CROSSPOSTING_RELAYS } from '@/lib/nostr'
 import { emailSchema, lastAuthRemovalSchema, settingsSchema } from '@/lib/validate'
+import * as Yup from 'yup'
 import { SUPPORTED_CURRENCIES } from '@/lib/currency'
 import PageLoading from '@/components/page-loading'
 import { useShowModal } from '@/components/modal'
@@ -26,7 +24,6 @@ import { NostrAuth } from '@/components/nostr-auth'
 import { useToast } from '@/components/toast'
 import { useMe } from '@/components/me'
 import { INVOICE_RETENTION_DAYS, ZAP_UNDO_DELAY_MS } from '@/lib/constants'
-import { OverlayTrigger, Tooltip } from 'react-bootstrap'
 import { useField } from 'formik'
 import styles from './settings.module.css'
 import { AuthBanner } from '@/components/banners'
@@ -86,6 +83,113 @@ export function SettingsHeader () {
   )
 }
 
+const DELETE_ACCOUNT = gql`
+  mutation deleteAccount($confirmation: String!, $donateBalance: Boolean) {
+    deleteAccount(confirmation: $confirmation, donateBalance: $donateBalance)
+  }
+`
+
+const GET_USER_BALANCE = gql`
+  { me { privates { sats } } }
+`
+
+function DeleteAccount () {
+  const [showConfirmation, setShowConfirmation] = useState(false)
+  const [deleteAccount] = useMutation(DELETE_ACCOUNT)
+  const toaster = useToast()
+  const { data } = useQuery(GET_USER_BALANCE)
+  const userBalance = data?.me?.privates?.sats || 0
+
+  const handleDelete = async (values) => {
+    try {
+      await deleteAccount({ variables: { ...values } })
+      signOut({ callbackUrl: '/' })
+      toaster.success('Your account has been deleted')
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error(error)
+      toaster.danger(error.message || 'Failed to delete account')
+    }
+  }
+
+  const deleteAccountSchema = Yup.object({
+    confirmation: Yup.string().oneOf(['DELETE MY ACCOUNT'], 'incorrect confirmation text').required('incorrect confirmation text'),
+    donateBalance: Yup.boolean()
+      .when('userBalance', {
+        is: (balance) => balance > 0,
+        then: schema => schema.oneOf([true], 'please withdraw your balance before deleting your account or confirm donation to rewards pool'),
+        otherwise: schema => schema
+      })
+  })
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <div className='form-label mt-4 text-danger'>danger zone</div>
+      <div className='card border-danger mb-3'>
+        <div className='card-body'>
+          <h5 className='card-title'>Delete Account</h5>
+          <p className='card-text'>
+            This will permanently delete your account. This action cannot be undone.
+          </p>
+
+          {!showConfirmation
+            ? (
+              <Button
+                variant='danger'
+                onClick={() => setShowConfirmation(true)}
+              >
+                Delete my account
+              </Button>
+              )
+            : (
+              <Form
+                initial={{
+                  confirmation: '',
+                  donateBalance: false,
+                  userBalance
+                }}
+                schema={deleteAccountSchema}
+                onSubmit={handleDelete}
+                context={{ userBalance }}
+              >
+                <Alert variant='danger'>
+                  <p><strong>Warning:</strong> Account deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed.</p>
+                  <p>Before proceeding, please ensure:</p>
+                  <ul>
+                    <li>You have withdrawn all your sats or checked the box to donate your balance to the rewards pool</li>
+                    <li>You understand that you will lose access to your account name</li>
+                    <li>You have considered that this action affects your entire account history</li>
+                  </ul>
+                </Alert>
+
+                <Checkbox
+                  name='donateBalance'
+                  label='Donate my remaining balance to the rewards pool (required if you have a balance)'
+                  groupClassName='mb-3'
+                />
+
+                <Input
+                  name='confirmation'
+                  label='Type "DELETE MY ACCOUNT" to confirm:'
+                  placeholder='DELETE MY ACCOUNT'
+                />
+
+                <div className='d-flex justify-content-between'>
+                  <Button
+                    variant='secondary'
+                    onClick={() => setShowConfirmation(false)}
+                  >
+                    Cancel
+                  </Button>
+                  <SubmitButton variant='danger'>Permanently delete my account</SubmitButton>
+                </div>
+              </Form>
+              )}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </>
+  )
+}
+
 export default function Settings ({ ssrData }) {
   const toaster = useToast()
   const { me } = useMe()
@@ -620,6 +724,8 @@ export default function Settings ({ ssrData }) {
           <div className='form-label'>saturday newsletter</div>
           <Button href='https://mail.stacker.news/subscription/form' target='_blank'>(re)subscribe</Button>
           {settings?.authMethods && <AuthMethods methods={settings.authMethods} apiKeyEnabled={settings.apiKeyEnabled} />}
+
+          <DeleteAccount />
         </div>
       </div>
     </Layout>
diff --git a/prisma/migrations/20250604211427_user_deletion/migration.sql b/prisma/migrations/20250604211427_user_deletion/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..36f772181
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prisma/migrations/20250604211427_user_deletion/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+ALTER TABLE "users" ADD COLUMN "deletedAt" TIMESTAMP(3);
+INSERT INTO "users" (id, name) VALUES (106, 'delete') ON CONFLICT (id) DO NOTHING;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/prisma/schema.prisma b/prisma/schema.prisma
index a3922145a..24513216e 100644
--- a/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ model User {
   hasRecvWallet             Boolean              @default(false)
   subs                      String[]
   hideCowboyHat             Boolean              @default(false)
+  deletedAt                 DateTime?
   Bookmarks                 Bookmark[]
   Donation                  Donation[]
   Earn                      Earn[]
diff --git a/worker/earn.js b/worker/earn.js
index 8fde43ba5..5ce35dc43 100644
--- a/worker/earn.js
+++ b/worker/earn.js
@@ -182,7 +182,10 @@ function earnStmts (data, { models }) {
   return [
     models.earn.create({ data }),
     models.user.update({
-      where: { id: userId },
+      where: {
+        id: userId,
+        deletedAt: null // Only update if user is not deleted
+      },
       data: {
         msats: { increment: msats },
         stackedMsats: { increment: msats }