Zcash

Zcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency focused on privacy and anonymity. It uses the zk-SNARK zero-knowledge proof technology that allows nodes on the network to verify transactions without revealing any sensitive information about those transactions. ZEC transactions by default do not reveal the sending and receiving addresses or the amount being sent. There is an option, however, to reveal this data for the purposes of auditing or regulatory compliance. Zcash was first released on October 28, 2016, and it was originally based on Bitcoin’s codebase.

Zcash, formerly "Zerocoin," was created in 2013 by a group of scientists from Johns Hopkins University. The team recruited additional scientists from leading academic institutions including MIT and Tel Aviv University to build the standalone Zcash protocol. Zcash was first mined in October 2016.


Zcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency focused on privacy and anonymity. It uses the zk-SNARK zero-knowledge proof technology that allows nodes on the network to verify transactions without revealing any sensitive information about those transactions.

ZEC transactions by default do not reveal the sending and receiving addresses or the amount being sent. There is an option, however, to reveal this data for the purposes of auditing or regulatory compliance.

Zcash has a fixed supply of 21 million ZEC and undergoes block halvings every four years.

Zcash distributes a portion of its block rewards to development funding. 20% of Zcash issuance is allocated to the Electric Coin Company, the Zcash Foundation, and independent third-party developers, while 80% is rewarded to miners. 

A critical vulnerability in Zcash node software could have allowed attackers to drain millions of dollars of ZEC from a deprecated shielded pool.

Zcash Vulnerability That Put Millions of Dollars of ZEC at Risk Has Been Fixed

Bitcoin

Kieran Dennis, co-founder of Z and an initial contributor to Core, claims Z is the first attempt to bring native EVM capabilities to Zcash.

Core Foundation franchises Satoshi Plus bitcoin consensus model for new Zcash scaling layer

The crypto asset manager argued rising surveillance and AI could elevate demand for private digital money, positioning Zcash as a mispriced bet on confidentiality.

Zcash upside hinges on repricing financial privacy in an AI-driven world, Grayscale says

Dash

AI and privacy tokens have emerged as leaders after Bitcoin's $75K retest, with experts citing infrastructure demand over speculative memes.

AI, Privacy Coins Lead Altcoin Rally as Bitcoin Tops $75K

Zcash Open Development Lab (ZODL) has raised more than $25 million in seed funding from major crypto investors to accelerate development of privacy-focused financial tools. The funding will support continued work on Zcash protocol upgrades and the expansion of its self-custodial wallet platform, Zodl.

Zcash Development Lab Secures $25 Million to Expand Privacy Infrastructure

Digital asset infrastructure firm Foundry Digital plans to launch a U.S.-based zcash (ZEC) mining pool in April 2026 aimed at institutional and publicly traded miners. The move signals growing interest in privacy-focused crypto and expands Foundry's mining infrastructure beyond bitcoin.

Foundry Expands Beyond Bitcoin With Zcash Mining Pool

Barry Silbert, CEO of cryptocurrency conglomerate Digital Currency Group, hailed the growth of financial privacy on Wednesday after mining giant Foundry announced plans to launch a Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC) mining pool. A Mining Pool For ZEC?

Barry Silbert Sees 'Financial Privacy' Becoming More Important As Leading Bitcoin Mining Pool Operator Dives Into Zcash

Foundry Digital said it plans to offer a mining pool for Zcash next month, enabling people to earn the coin using shared resources.

Top Bitcoin Mining Pool Operator Foundry Is Getting Into Zcash

Foundry's move could help diversify Zcash's mining ecosystem, which has historically been concentrated among a small number of pools.

Foundry plans institutional-focused Zcash mining pool launch in April

The pool is designed for institutional and public company miners, focusing on compliance and regulated infrastructure.

Mining giant Foundry to introduce institutional zcash mining pool

Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC) surged 5% on Tuesday, following Zcash Open Development Lab's announcement of over $25 million in seed funding from Paradigm, a16z crypto, Winklevoss Capital, and Coinbase Ventures. The $25M ZODL Funding Round ZODL was founded by Josh Swihart, former CEO of Electric Coin Company.

Zcash Rallies 5% After $25 Million Funding Round: What's Going On?

Prominent privacy coin Zcash (ZEC) has jumped 7% over the last day as the Zcash Open Development Lab announced a $25 million fundraise.

Zcash Outpaces Bitcoin Gains as Key Development Team Raises $25 Million

Zcash Open Development Lab is developing the Zodl wallet, using the popular Zashi wallet codebase, and other Zcash-related tech.

Zcash Open Development Lab raises $25 million from leading crypto investors Paradigm, a16z and others

The capital will be used to expand development of the Zcash (ZEC) protocol and its privacy-focused self-custodial mobile wallet, Zodl.

Josh Swihart's Zcash Open Development Lab raises $25 million in seed funding

NEAR Protocol

Private execution layer aims to curb MEV and front-running as the token extends 40% weekly rally despite modest onchain earnings.

NEAR token jumps 17% after ‘Confidential Intents' launch, outpaces privacy tokens sector

Barry Silbert, CEO of cryptocurrency conglomerate Digital Currency Group, said Wednesday that privacy-focused cryptocurrencies are poised to become the next big investment opportunity in the industry. Bitcoin Not Really ‘Anonymous' During a conversation with Anthony Pompliano at the Bitcoin Investor Week conference, Silbert said his thesis is that 5-10% of Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) market cap would rotate into privacy coins, including Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC).

Barry Silbert Forecasts Up To 10% Of Bitcoin's Market Cap Will Move To Privacy Coins—Crypto Mogul Says Zcash Can Rocket 500x, BTC Won't

Leading altcoins dropped, as analysts cite capital flight to gold, ETF outflows, and cascading liquidations for draining market liquidity.

Zcash, BNB, Sui Lead Altcoin Losses As Crypto Market Slides

Zcash has broken the current support level of $300 and fallen below the 21-day SMA.

Coinidol.com: Zcash Faces Further Decline to $245

The top two privacy coins are underperforming both their category and the broader crypto market amid the ongoing slump.

Privacy Coins Slide as Monero, Zcash Lead Losses

Publicly traded crypto exchange Gemini launched a new Zcash-themed credit card that pays ZEC rewards to holders.

Gemini Launches Zcash Credit Card That Pays ZEC Rewards

The Zcash price is in a sideways trend and has fallen below the moving averages.

Coinidol.com: Zcash Continues Its Range above $300

Sentiment among traders on prediction market Myriad is thawing towards the privacy coin, after flipping bearish last week.

Zcash Sentiment Ticks Up as Privacy Coin's Price Jumps 9%

Analysts told Decrypt that though network activity for the privacy coin is far below its peak, offshoot projects show promise.

What's Next for Zcash After Electric Coin Company Exodus and New CEO?

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have quietly written another check for privacy tech, sending 3,221 ZEC—worth about $1.2 million—to bolster independent development of the Zcash protocol.

Shielded Labs Receives Major ZEC Grant From Winklevoss Twins

The 3,221 ZEC donation, worth about $1.2 million, from Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss will fund core protocol initiatives, Shielded Labs said.

News for Zcash Crypto (ZEC)