Zcash

About Zcash

Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that utilizes zero-knowledge cryptography to enable fully encrypted peer-to-peer payments. Originally proposed in 2013 as Zerocoin and later Zerocash, it was the first protocol to implement zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge) to verify transactions without revealing sensitive information such as sender, receiver, or amount details. Zcash features a fixed supply of 21 million tokens and provides users with optional anonymity through two types of transactions: transparent transactions, which are visible on the public ledger similar to Bitcoin, and shielded transactions, which maintain financial confidentiality using the Halo zero-knowledge proving system. The protocol utilizes Unified Addresses to simplify interactions between its public and private pools. While it currently operates on a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism using the Equihash algorithm, the project is evolving toward Proof-of-Stake to enhance security and scalability. Zcash is developed by various independent teams supported by the Zcash Community Grants Committee and the Electric Coin Company.