Zcash (ZEC)

Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that gives users the choice between transparent and private transactions.
It’s built on advanced zero-knowledge cryptography — allowing people to prove a transaction is valid without revealing any sensitive details.

What Is Zcash?

Zcash was launched in 2016 by the Electric Coin Company, founded by cryptographer Zooko Wilcox.
It’s a fork of Bitcoin with one major upgrade: optional privacy using zk-SNARKs (zero-knowledge proofs).

Token: ZEC
Consensus: Proof-of-Work
Privacy tech: zk-SNARKs
Blockchain type: Public, with private shielded transactions

Zcash aims to combine financial privacy with regulatory compatibility, making it one of the most advanced cryptographic projects in crypto.

How Does Zcash Work?

Zcash has two types of addresses:

Transparent (t-addresses): work like normal Bitcoin addresses — public and auditable.
Shielded (z-addresses): fully private — hides sender, receiver, and amount.

When you send from one shielded address to another, the transaction is completely confidential, yet still cryptographically verified using zero-knowledge proofs.

Why Zcash Matters 🕶️

Advanced privacy tech: pioneering zero-knowledge proofs.
User choice: full transparency or full anonymity.
Regulatory balance: enables auditability when needed.
Active development: Electric Coin Company + Zcash Foundation.

Zcash’s dual-mode design gives users flexibility — from private payments to fully auditable transactions when compliance is required.

Zcash Use Cases

Private payments: protect transaction data from third parties.
Auditable compliance: share viewing keys for transparency when necessary.
Research base: zk-SNARK technology now powers Ethereum scaling (zk-rollups).
Remittances & donations: secure, private cross-border payments.

Risks of Zcash ⚠️

Complex technology: zk-SNARKs require heavy computation.
Low shielded usage: many users still use transparent addresses.
Exchange delistings: due to privacy concerns in certain regions.
Competition: newer privacy protocols like Monero or Secret Network.

Lanzo Tip 🧠

Zcash is the bridge between privacy and compliance — you choose when to stay hidden.
Great tech, but remember: privacy only works if you actually use it.